What are the different types of acne lesions?
• Comedo (whiteheads or blackheads) or papules. The comedo is the basic acne lesion, which is a plugged pore. If the plugged pore stays under the skin, it’s called a closed comedo and forms a white bump or whitehead. Blackheads are comedos that open up and appear blackish on the surface of the skin. This black color is not due to dirt, but because the air reacts with the excess oil. • Pustules or pimples. Pustules or pimples are acne lesions that contain pus and are red at the base. • Nodules. These are more serious acne lesions. They lodge deeper in the skin, are painful, and can cause scarring. • Cysts. Like nodules, these lesions are deep within in the skin, are painful, and are filled with pus, and can cause scarring.