What are the six types of Acne

1. Whiteheads

Whiteheads are caused when oil and dead skin close off the opening of the follicle and form a closed comedo on the skin with a white tip.

2. Blackheads

Blackheads form when oil and dead skin lick the opening of a follicle forming a comedo. When the skin over the comedo is open air causes the plug to oxidise turning it black.

3. Papules

Acne papules are hard mildly inflamed bumps that are tender to touch, caused when blocked follicles become irritated. They do not have a pus filled tip.

4. Pustules 

Pustules are small mildly inflamed pus filled lesions. They are larger than whiteheads and often tender to touch. The pus inside a pustule is a combination of immune cells and bacteria cells. 

5. Nodular Acne 

Nodular acne is a severe type requiring a dermatologist referral. It is caused when too much sebum clogs the follicle and creates an ideal environment for bacteria to fester. Similarly, if dead skin cells become backlogged within the pore they mix with sebum and bacteria and become infected nodules. Nodules are hard bumps deep within the skin that do not contain pus. 

6. Cystic Acne

Cystic acne occurs when bacteria, dead skin cells and sebum get trapped beneath the skin surface and become infected. This results in painful, pus filled, large inflammatory cysts that extend deep into the skin from the surface. A dermatologist should treat cystic acne to reduce the risk of scarring and infection.