Acne is a common disorder where the pores and hair follicles become irritated and inflamed, leading to cosmetic blemishes that appear on the skin. These blemishes can take many forms including pimples, cysts, abscesses, black heads, and in more severe cases even scarring. Acne most commonly occurs in both men and women during the adolescent stage known as puberty. This is when the human body begins to undergo major hormonal changes as a result of building a mature, adult body capable of sexual reproduction. Acne most commonly affects teenage boys, but it is not limited to just this group. Acne can affect both men and women of all ages; sometimes throughout their entire adult lives. This is more rare but certainly not uncommon.

There are two major types of acne blemishes; non-inflammatory acne and inflammatory acne. The non-inflammatory category is divided into two categories; closed comedo and open comedo. A closed comedo is otherwise known as a whitehead and appears on the skin surface as a small whitish or yellowish bump. The open comedo is also known as a blackhead. It is dark in appearance but, contrary to popular belief, is not a build-up of dirt. It is actually a build-up of melanin, a chemical that makes up the pigment of the skin surface. Blackheads and whiteheads can be prevented and controlled by using anti-inflammatory cleansers such as Proactive or products that contain aloe vera.

Inflammatory acne is the more visible of the two types in regard to skin appearance. Inflammatory acne can mostly be seen on the face, but can occur on a number of other places on the body such as the shoulders, neck, chest, upper arms, scalp, back, and legs. The most common form of acne seen is the pimple. This is when the pore or hair follicle becomes inflamed and forms small red sores on the skin surface. This is usually the end result of a variety of symptoms that are visible before the actual sore is fully formed. These symptoms include blackheads, whiteheads, cysts, and pustules. Blackheads are clogged pores that have a darker appearance with an open end at the surface of the skin. They are commonly found on the nose, but can also be found on the cheeks and forehead as well. White heads are slightly different in that they don't have a pore opening. They are spots that appear to be bulged out from under the skin. They will often turn into pustules if left alone for a few days. If they are squeezed or popped, they will often become more infected and could lead to permanent scarring. So it is a good idea to leave the whiteheads alone. People with whiteheads should instead use a gently exfoliating cleanser, such as Proactive solution or Neutrogena.

Pustules are red sores that are filled with pus and have a whitish or yellowish color. They can develop from whiteheads or blackheads. They are round sores that have become inflamed because of irritated sebaceous glands. The human body has thousands of sebaceous glands that produce an oil-like substance known as sebum. When the skin is exposed to an excess of sebum, the hair follicles and pores become agitated and infected. Cysts are larger pus filled sores that appear on the surface but are actually deep within the skin. Because of the size and depth of the inflammation, cysts are often very painful and can be as large as an inch across the infected area. They form as a result of the contents of a comedo spreading across the infected area and the body's natural defense of producing pus to reduce these effects. Cysts have the potential to leave deep and permanent scars.

Whatever kind of acne there is, there is an effective treatment that is out there and available. A better knowledge of the different kinds of acne will give the patient a better idea in what the most effective form of treatment will be. Remember, acne does not have to affect you all your life. With a little research and time anyone can find the treatment that is perfect for them.