Formation of Pimples
During times of hormonal fluctuations, the skin's oil glands, also called the sebaceous glands, produce too much sebum. Sebum is an oily substance that keeps skin moist and protected. This overproduction can block follicles on your face, neck, back and shoulders.
Blackheads
When the sebum blocks the follicle it can go one of two ways. If the sebum comes to the surface of the follicle and creates an opening then the sebum will oxidize when it comes in contact with air. This oxidation will turn the sebum brown or black, resulting in what is commonly called a blackhead.
Whiteheads
If the sebum stays underneath the skin's surface, it will mix with dead skin cells, bacteria, and more oil. This will cause a reddened bump on the skin, gradually filling with fluid. The fluid is called pus, and is a combination of dead skin cells and white blood cells. A white tip will form on the bump, called a whitehead.
Healing
Whiteheads, when left alone, will eventually rupture by themselves releasing the built up pus and bacteria. Blackheads are not as easy to release themselves. They are slow to drain and will take a few weeks to drain. The sebum in the blackhead is solid, with fluid underneath, so this blockage is a little more difficult. Once white or blackheads are drained, then they will heal, although you may have a little redness for a week or two where the blemish was.
Complications
Some pimples are a little more complicated. Whiteheads are also known as pustules, blackheads are also known as comedones, but there are some instances when the acne can take a turn for the worse. A cyst forms when there is extreme inflammation in the follicle and the pimple does not come to a head. It is usually hard to the touch and can be painful. A nodule is a sore bump that forms when the follicle collapses and forms a red bump that will not come to a head.
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