All acne lesions develop within the follicle and are kick-started by an inherited condition known as retention hyperkeratosis. As the skin cells pile up and stick together an impaction begins to form, commonly referred to as a micro-comedone. All micro-comedones can take up to 90 days to "mature" and present themselves in one of two ways.
Non-inflamed Acne
1. Blackheads = Open Comedones
As more cellular debris (skin cells, oil, bacteria) collects, the pore opening enlarges to accommodate the excess waste and pushes everything to the surface. As the oil oxidizes at the surface it becomes black.
2. Whiteheads = Closed Comedones
The cellular debris collects and grows inside the follicles, but remains beneath the skin because the opening of the pore is closed.
Inflamed Acne = These lesions start their journey on the same 90-day cycle, but they eventually become more destructive. This is due to a breakage within the follicle wall which causes inflammation.
1. Papule. This occurs when there is a break near the surface of the follicle wall. It appears as a sore red bump in the skin and contains no fluid, but may develop pus.
2. Pustule is a break in the follicle wall near the surface and the body releases white blood cells in response. It also occurs when a papule becomes more inflamed and pus appears near the surface.
3. Nodule is a deep break at the bottom of the follicle wall. These lesions are firm to the touch, very sore, and are larger and deeper than papules. Nodules can flare up over and over again when they fail to heal.
4. Cyst or cystic acne occurs when more than one follicle wall burst together or when one follicle wall ruptures and exhibits an extreme inflammatory response where the injured area is flooded with thousands of white blood cells.
Fortunately, Facial Zen offers a highly effective and successful acne program that helps clear and control non-inflamed and inflamed acne.
1. Blackheads = Open Comedones
As more cellular debris (skin cells, oil, bacteria) collects, the pore opening enlarges to accommodate the excess waste and pushes everything to the surface. As the oil oxidizes at the surface it becomes black.
2. Whiteheads = Closed Comedones
The cellular debris collects and grows inside the follicles, but remains beneath the skin because the opening of the pore is closed.
Inflamed Acne = These lesions start their journey on the same 90-day cycle, but they eventually become more destructive. This is due to a breakage within the follicle wall which causes inflammation.
1. Papule. This occurs when there is a break near the surface of the follicle wall. It appears as a sore red bump in the skin and contains no fluid, but may develop pus.
2. Pustule is a break in the follicle wall near the surface and the body releases white blood cells in response. It also occurs when a papule becomes more inflamed and pus appears near the surface.
3. Nodule is a deep break at the bottom of the follicle wall. These lesions are firm to the touch, very sore, and are larger and deeper than papules. Nodules can flare up over and over again when they fail to heal.
4. Cyst or cystic acne occurs when more than one follicle wall burst together or when one follicle wall ruptures and exhibits an extreme inflammatory response where the injured area is flooded with thousands of white blood cells.
Fortunately, Facial Zen offers a highly effective and successful acne program that helps clear and control non-inflamed and inflamed acne.
