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Types of Acne Lesions
Posted: February 18th, 2009 @ 10:14pm
Level 1
- Microcomedone. A comedone that is formed below the epidermis and can’t be seen by the naked eye. It feels like a small, hard bump and, as it grows larger, it looks like a tiny white bump just below the surface of the skin.
- Closed comedo (whitehead). A firm white papule.
- Open comedo (comedones). A hard plug composed of sebum and dead skin cells. This is the mildest form of acne.
Levels 2–3
- Papule. An inflamed lesion that is a small, solid and slightly raised area of the skin less than half of an inch in diameter. It can have a varied appearance, such as rounded, smooth or rough, skin-colored or red, pink or brown.
- Milia. Also known as epidermal cysts, these are small, firm, white papules usually found in clusters on the upper cheeks and around the eyes.
- Pustule. A small pus-containing skin blister often found at the opening of hair follicles, this inflammation is more visible than a papule.
Levels 4–5
- Nodule. A large, painful, solid lesion that extends deep into the skin.
- Cysts. In some cases, a membrane entraps the infection and a cyst forms. Cysts are inflamed pus-filled lesions.
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