BLEMISHES AND PIMPELS

Any kind of mark or discoloration on the skin can be called a blemish. According to an online dictionary, its definition is “is “a small mark or flaw that spoils the appearance of something.” So blemishes could include acne, but can also include dark spots or places where someone has picked their acne lesions.

All of acne is caused by the inherited tendency of “retention hyperkeratosis”. This is a fancy name for dead skin cells piling up and sticking together inside the pore along with other debris such as sebum, bacteria and a random rudimentary hair. (For more information see “What is Acne” in the articles. This debris clumps together to form a plug inside the pore. This is actually called a “comedo”. If this comedo remains non-inflamed, it becomes a whitehead or blackhead. However, if it goes down the path of inflammation (also an inherited tendency) it will turn into a pimple, pustule, or cyst.

A pimple is an inflamed acne lesion that has not come to a head yet.

A pustule is a pimple that has come to a head.

Acne cysts are soft, pus-filled and inflamed lesions that occur deep in the dermis. Cystic acne can affect anyone, but it is more common in teenage boys and young men.

All inflamed acne needs strong antibacterial products used correctly to get it under control. Inflamed acne lesions like pimples, pustules and cysts tend to respond quickly to the right acne products. This along with the right lifestyle changes can dramatically clear up and get rid of inflamed acne.