Acne Definitions

These are definitions for some of the common terms associated with acne.

Acne - a skin disorder than ranges in seriousness from mild to severe and affects nearly 80% of those from 12 to 22. It's caused when male hormones trigger the overproduction of oil from the sebaceous glands in the hair follicles. Dead cells that trap the oil can block these follicles. Bacteria grow in this environment causing the pimples. These various lesions are the primary symptom of acne.

Androgens - are the male sex hormones that cause the excess sebum production from sebaceous glands. It's production starts in puberty. Because males produce more of this hormone, they tend to have a greater incidence of acne and at more severe levels.

Comedo - is an acne lesion caused by a plugged hair follicle. Open plugged follicles are called blackheads because the tip of the skin surface is black. This is not caused by dirt but by the reaction of the skin's pigment to the air. A closed comedo is called a whitehead. It has a white spot on its tip that's filled with pus.

Cysts - are large, deep and painful acne lesions: the most serious type of lesion. Cysts can cause extensive and permanent scarring if not successfully treated. Cystic acne may call for more intensive treatment than more moderate forms including antibiotics and stronger topical medications. A dermatologist is almost certainly required to adequately deal with this type of severe and inflammatory acne.

Dermabrasion - also called surgical skin planing, it's a medical technique used to treat acne scars. A brush is used to sand or scrub off the top layer of the skin so that smoother, new layers can grow in their place. The brush spins with a diamond or wire abrading head. After the skin is frozen with a freezing spray, the brush is applied to remove it. Healing for dermabrasion may take up to a few weeks.

Dermatologist - are doctors who specialize in skin care and skin disorders and diseases. They are sometimes needed to treat persistent or acute acne.

Follicles - are the shafts through which hair grows that contain the sebaceous oil glands, which overproduce to cause acne.

Inflammation - the redness swelling and sometimes pain associated with some cases of acne. This is caused by the body's reaction to infection and injury.

Laser resurfacing - uses a CO2 laser to remove the top layer of the skin while the middle layer is smoothed. It has been shown to have less post operative discomfort, bruising and bleeding than dermabrasion. It can take up to 3 weeks for healing.

Nodules - are, like cysts, the most severe form of acne lesions. They are large lumps that are pus- filled; they're usually painful, and go deep into the skin. Nodules can also lead to extensive and permanent scarring, and almost always need the intervention of a dermatologist.

Papules - are small, red bumps without the pus evident in other types of lesions. They are usually inflamed and can be small enough that when not visible, will have a sandpaper feel to them.

Pimples - any of the lesions associated with acne.

Pores - the skin's opening that is above the hair follicle.

Pustules - are pus filled papules. They are topped with a (usually) white pus cap and can be red and inflamed at the bottom. Like papules they are often tender to the touch.

Sebaceous glands - are the oil glands attached to the hair follicle that produce the excess of sebum when stimulated by androgens. They can be found in the follicles of the face, chest, back and neck. All of these locations are potential acne production sites.

Sebum - is the oil that sebaceous glands excrete which gets trapped in follicles - causing acne.

Zit - a slang word used for pimple.

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