Types of Acne

[x]   Tags: types of acne, zit, blackhead, comedones, skin care, spots, skin care, dermatologist, skin, acne, scar, skin conditions, pores, oily skin, skin comedones, treatments

[x]   Transcript: Could it be? ... Yep, that red sore probably means you're developing a zit. But if you know what kind of acne is cropping up on your body, it will be easier to treat. Acne, a common skin condition, comes in several varieties. The type you develop depends on where the acne forms, and how your body reacts to it. Here's a rundown that will help you understand and treat that unwelcome blemish! The least severe—and most common—forms of acne are called comedones. Comedones include both blackheads and whiteheads and usually crop up on the face, targeting the nose in particular. Blackheads occur when a pore becomes blocked with oil, dead skin cells, minute hairs and bacteria. A blackhead has an engorged opening which hides just below the surface. Whiteheads are similar to blackheads, A whitehead except the pore's opening is much narrower. A whitehead stays the whitish tint of the oil inside plus skin cells of the blemish. The most severe kinds of acne, nodules and cysts, are significantly more painful than other types. Because they're often found together, dermatologists call them nodulocystic acne. A nodule is an inflammation of the hair follicle that penetrates deep into the skin. Nodules are firm to the touch. Cysts, like pustules, are formed of bacteria, dead skin and white blood cells. But they're much larger than common pimples, go deeper into the skin and are usually more inflamed. Because they penetrate so deeply into the skin, nodules and cysts are more likely to leave scars, and are also harder to treat. They usually require the aid of a dermatologist and prescription medication. No matter what type of blemish you have, you'll need more than patience to get rid of it! There are plenty of over-the-counter and prescription medications to treat the full gamut of acne classifications. Because acne comes in so many different forms, it's good to know what you're seeing in the mirror, so you can treat it effectively. And remember, please see a dermatologist if your acne is particularly painful, leads to scars or resists treatment.

[x]   Bio:

Hadley C. King, MD is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in general, medical and surgical dermatology. She is also a Clinical Instructor of Dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

Dr. King graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College with a degree in biochemistry. She then received her M.D. from Columbia University. She trained in medicine at Greenwich Hospital, affiliated with the Yale University School of Medicine, and completed her dermatology residency at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

Following residency, Dr. King worked as an attending physician at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, during which time she specialized in cutaneous oncology and photodynamic therapy. She also has a background in immunology and her research has been published in a variety of medical journals, including the Journal of the American Medical Association.