A blemish is essentially an imperfection of the skin. The most common blemish people suffer from is acne, or acne vulgaris. As dead skin and excess oil accumulate within the openings to hair follicles, pores can clog and a soft plug may form, which results in acne, or a blemish. But the actual appearance of this blemish really depends on the type of acne affecting the skin.
Blackheads
When the blockage of a pore is relatively close to the surface of the skin, a comedone, or blackhead, typically forms. With a blackhead, the clogged pore appears gray to black in color, since the blemish remains open, leading to oxidation of the plug, which causes the discoloration.
Whiteheads
Similar to a blackhead, because it too forms toward the surface of the skin, a whitehead is a closed comedone. The closure causes the area to become raised and slightly red with a white tip.
Pimple
A pimple, otherwise known as a papule, is a red, raised bump on the surface of the skin. It is slightly larger in size than a whitehead and is often an indication that blockage within the pore is deeper, causing a greater amount of inflammation to the surrounding area of skin. The increase in inflammation is also an indication that the pore is infected with bacteria.
Pustule
A little larger than a pimple, a pustule is basically a papule filled with pus, or a blister-like lesion on the surface of the skin. Much like a papule, a pustule is a sign that the plug is much deeper within the pore, causing greater inflammation and the accumulation of fluid.
Nodule
A large lump just beneath the surface of the skin is often considered a nodule. It develops from even deeper blockages in the pore, which cause secretions to collect within the hair follicle. Nodules are typically tender to the touch and may appear slightly red in color.
Cyst
The deepest of blemishes is the cyst. A cyst is essentially a nodule that fills with pus. It develops just under the surface of the skin, where pus collects within the pore, leading to tenderness and a slight discoloration of the skin.
Member Comments