Skin Conditions: Acne

While you can’t miss these pesky spots, they are described as lesions on the skin that are red, swollen and may or may not have pus.

Ordinarily skin has tiny glands through which sebum (an oily liquid) is released. These glands then drain oil through your pore onto the surface of your skin.

Acne develops when this process has been disrupted in any of the following ways:

• Increased oil production providing a cozy home for bacterial growth
• Dry dead skin and debris plugs the pore.
• Bacteria become trapped within this plug.

What type of Acne do I have?

Before you zap them with the strongest benzoyl cream on the market, try to work out what type of pimples you have and then decide on the appropriate treatment.

• Whiteheads: remain under the skin, are very small & lighter than skin colour.
• Blackheads: clearly visible dark plugs on the skin.
• Papules: small pink bumps, no swelling and no pus.
• Pustules: red at their base with pus at the top, may or may be swollen.
• Nodules: large, solid painful pimples, embedded in the skin, with no pus.
• Cysts: large, solid painful pimples, embedded deep in the skin, with pus.