Acne Information

While we often use the term "acne" when referring to pimples on the face, the condition actually manifests in several different forms, and on various parts of the skin.

Most people have been afflicted with acne at least once in their lives. In fact, acne is the most common skin condition, affecting an estimated 17 million Americans and nearly 80 percent of individuals from age 11 to 30.

Acne Types and Appearance

While we often use the term "acne" when referring to pimples on the face, the condition actually manifests in several different forms, and on various parts of the skin. While the majority of acne cases are found on the face, it can appear on any area that contains functional oil glands, including the scalp, buttocks, groin, back and chest. Although acne most commonly occurs during the teenage years, it can also come about during adulthood.

Non-inflammatory Types of Acne

Non-inflammatory acne is the most common and mildest type of the condition and usually takes the form of blackheads and whiteheads.

Blackheads - A type of acne that remains open at the skin's surface. These are easily identified by their darkened appearance on the skin's surface.
Whiteheads - Closed pimples with white or yellow bumps on the skin's surface.

Inflammatory Types of Acne

Types severe, inflammatory acne include:

Papules: Red pimples that burst under the skin, releasing bacteria into the surrounding area.
Pustules: Reddened bumps that go deeper under the skin, characterized by a white, pus-filled bump on the top.
Nodular acne: Identified as having large cysts, which occur deep in the skin's surface and contain pus. These cysts become so inflamed that they appear a shade of deep red or purple at the skin's surface. This type of cystic acne can occur individually or throughout the skin.
Acne conglobata: A severe type of acne characterized by numerous nodules that grow larger in size until they finally discharge pus. These nodules tend to be painful to the touch. Acne conglobata can also be identified by the deep ulcers that develop below the pimple, which can result in scarring.

Acne Rosacea

Acne rosacea is a common skin condition found among fair-skinned adults, though it is more common among women than men. Symptoms of acne rosacea include redness in the center of the face, often accompanied by dilated blood vessels and pimples. This condition often worsens if left untreated, with the signs of rosacea appearing on the nose, cheeks, chin and forehead.

Acne Grading Scales

Quite often, dermatologists use an acne grading scale to determine the severity of patients' conditions. Although dermatologists don't use a universal scale, most determine severity by noting the size, the number of pimples and the degree of the acne. Some scales also compare symptoms to a set of standardized photographs to determine the severity of the condition.

The first step in understanding acne is getting acne information. Go to the next page to learn about what can be a cause of acne.