What Type of Acne Lesion Do You Have?

An acne lesion has a way of appearing on your face at the worst possible moment; before that exciting date during your teenage years, or even right before an important job interview during your adult life. An acne lesion can affect babies, teenagers, adults, men and women; nobody is spared.

There are several acne lesion types that can appear on your face, back, arms or any other part of your body. These acne lesion types are:

• Blackhead—this type of acne lesion occurs when trapped bacteria and sebum begin to rise to the surface of the follicle. Melanin, which is the skin’s pigment, makes it appear dark on the skin surface.
• Whitehead—unlike the blackhead, this acne lesion appears when the sebum and bacteria are stuck below the skin’s surface.
• Nodule—is solid and the shape of a dome. This acne lesion goes deep into the skin layers and becomes inflamed. This type of acne lesion can be painful and destroy tissue.
• Macule—This is left temporarily on the skin after the disappearance of an acne lesion. It can appear in a group and takes from a few days to weeks to fade away. Macules are usually red and make the affected area look inflamed.
• Papule—can make the skin feel rough. This acne legion is small, solid and stands on the skin’s surface.
• Cyst—this acne legion is full of pus and very painful. Cysts burrow deep into the tissue and can develop scarring.