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What is Acne?

Acne is a disease that affects the skin’s oil glands. The small holes in your skin(pores) are connected to oil glands (Sebaceous glands)  under the skin. These glands make an oily substance called sebum. The pores connect to the glands by a canal called a follicle. Inside the follicles, oil(sebum) carries dead skin cells to the surface of the skin . A thin hair also grows through the follicle and out to the skin. When the follicle of a skin gland is obstructed, the accumulation of sebum and dead cells enhance the grow a bacteria(Propionibacterium). This lead to the formation of a  pimple. Most pimples are found on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders.

 

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Normal Follicle
Formation of pimple(Microcomedone)

Types of Acne:

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  1. Blackheads : Comedones (pimples) are open at the surface of the skin. These comedones are filled with excess oil and dead skin cells inside them, and when exposed to air oxidation takes place turning the outside of the pimple into a black color. Therefore, it is not dust what causes this type of acne to be dark. These type of acne are consider to be non-inflammatory acne.

   2.  Whiteheads: These are consider to be non-inflammatory acne. it's the same principle as the blackheads but in this case the mixture of oil and dead cells stay under the skin; consequently, the mixture is not oxidized (because its not being exposed to air) and  maintains a white color. These are the most common type of acne.

   3. Papules: Papules are comedones that become inflamed, forming small red or pink bumps on the skin. This type of pimple may be sensitive to the touch.A large number of papules may indicate moderate to severe acne.

   4.Pustules: These type of acne resemble the whiteheads. However, in this case there is inflammation and a red ring around the bump of the pimple. Furthermore, the bump of the pimple is usually filled with white or yellow pus.

    5. Nodules :  These type of acne is a  large inflamed bump that has a firm texture. In this case, the comedones develop deep under the skin  creating a red inflamed bump or pimple. These type of Acne  can be painful when touched. Its recommended that these type of acne receive treatment indicated by a professional.

    6. Cyst: Cyst and nodules are really similar. Cyst are large pus-filled bumps that look similar to boils. These type of acne  is also associated with pain; moreover, this type of acne also needs to receive professional treatment.

Molecular View:

Here is a picture summarizing the different types of acne:

Works Cited:
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