How Blackheads And Pimples Are Formed

Acne can manifest in a variety of forms, some more severe than others. But they all share one thing in common. Acne lesions develop when dead skin and excess oil form a soft plug within the opening of a hair follicle. This plug clogs the affected pore and prompts the wall of the follicle to bulge, leading to an active lesion. The depth of the plug within the pore dictates whether you develop blackheads, pimples and other types of acne.

Blackheads

Blackheads are the least severe form of acne. They manifest when the soft plug develops relatively close to the surface of your skin. But, unlike other form of acne, these lesions remain open, which exposes the soft plug to air. This exposure triggers oxidation of the plug, giving the lesion its dark coloration.

Papules

Papules are a moderate form of acne often referred to as pimples. These lesions manifest when the soft plug develops deeper within the pores. But instead of remaining open like a blackhead, the pore actually closes and a break occurs along the follicular wall. The break triggers your body's immune response, sending white blood cells to the damaged follicle, producing inflammation.

Pustules

Like papules, pustules are a moderate form of acne also referred to as pimples. They develop in the same fashion as papules with a closure of the pore and a break in the follicular wall. The only difference between the two lesions is the accumulation of pus. The white blood cells sent to the damaged follicle by the immune system can cause pus to form within the lesion, eventually leading to a pustule.

Bacteria

Besides excess oil and dead skin, bacteria are likely to play a role in the development of both blackheads and pimples. The American Academy of Dermatology explains that the Propionibacterium acnes bacterium actually thrives in sebum, an oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands. As bacteria builds up, they can cause an inflammatory response from the body that leads to an active lesion.

Hormones

Another potential factor contributing to blackheads and pimples is hormones, according to MayoClinic.com. Hormonal changes can increase the production of sebum, which makes your skin oilier than normal. This increases the chances of soft plugs forming and subsequently clogging your pores.