Acne

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Acne is a skin condition that occurs in the hair follicle when sebum (oily substance produced by skin) is combined with dead skin cells. This combination clogs the hair follicle and creates either a whitehead (closed follicle) or a blackhead (open follicle). These plugged-up pores are an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. As the bacteria multiply and finally erupt out onto the surface of the skin, they cause swelling, redness, and pus; better known as pimples. These pimples can then become even more infected, causing deeper lumps, nodules, or cysts.  

Unfortunately, acne is a common hereditary condition caused by features such as large pores or overproduction of oils. Acne is also very common for teenagers because of the heightened amount of hormones called androgens which often produce more oil. Emotional stress, oil from cosmetics, medicines, and certain products can also cause the appearance of acne. 

• Whiteheads (closed plugged pores)
• Blackheads (open plugged pores)
• Small red, tender bumps (papules)
• Pimples (pustules), which are papules with pus at their tips
• Large, solid, painful lumps beneath the surface of the skin (nodules)
• Painful, pus-filled lumps beneath the surface of the skin (cystic lesions)