Online Acne Clinic

Acne Glossary

Acne
A skin condition caused by by the formation of a comedo. Physical and emotional side effects may develop from acne, including but not limited to scarring, redness, irritation and depression.

Teen acne is spawned by the "awakening" of sebaceous glands during puberty. The glands are stimulated by Androgens and the oil stirs up bacteria (which lives in everyon'es skin).

Adult Acne and Teen Acne are similarin structure, but may vary in placement. Women tend to break out near the mouth, chin and jaw line and young adults tend to break out on the forehead, nose, chin and cheeks.

Male hormones found in both females and males.

Acne on the back.

Slang for acne on the back.

A chemical in the organic peroxide family, Benzoyl Peroxide is a common acne ingredient that kills P. Acnes.

Blackheads
Open-comedo, open pores with a dark surface.

Blemish(es)
Also known as breakouts. When acne is noticeable on the skin.

Body Acne
Acne that appears on more body parts than the face. Common areas include neck, shoulders, back and buttox. Most OTC facial acne medications can also treat body acne.

Breakout(s)
Also known as blemishes. When acne is noticeable on the skin.

Comedo
When a follicle is clogged with dirt, tiny hairs, bacteria or other cells. There are two types - whitehads and blackheads.

Comedonal Acne
Non-inflammatory acne.

Cyst
An abnormal membranous sac that contains white blood cells, dead cells and bacteria.

Dermatitis
See Eczema.

Eczema
A noncontagious inflammation of the skin cause by skin irritants and allergies. Characterized by blistering, scaling and itching. Lesion outbreaks may discharge serous matter.

Estrogen
Female hormones.

Folliculitis
Inflammation of a hair follicule.

Hygiene
The practice of maintaining cleanliness and general health.

Inflammatory Acne
When white heads or black heads are inflammed, types include papules, pustules, nodules and cysts.

Keratosis Pilaris
Primarily found on thights, upper arms and buttox, this condition resembles permanent goose bumps.

Lesion
A patch of skin affected by injury, infection or disease.

Macule
A red or discolored spot temporarily left from a healed lesion.

Milia
Tiny white cycsts or small bumps appearing on the face. Common in newborns but can appear on adult skin.

Nodule
A small, usually hard tissue mass in the body. Characterized by inflammation.

Nodulocycstic Acne
When nodules and cysts occur together.

Non-inflammatory Acne
White heads and black heads.

Over-The-Counter (OTC) Medications
Medications and treatments that can be purchased and used without a prescription.

Papule
A small elevation of the skin that does not contain pus.

Perioral Dermatitis
Patches of itchy red spots around the mouth, typically occuring on the skin of young women.

Pimple
Slang term for papule or pustule.

Pore(s)
A tiny opening of the skin.

Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)
Discolored marks (red, brown, purple) left from acne are normal and are caused by the skin's inflammatory process. Although they go away on their own, the process can take years. Active ingredients such as Salicylic Acid can help aid in decreasing the appearance of PIH.

Propionibacterium acne (P. Acne)
Bacteria that causes the acne condition.

Pseudofolliculitis barbae.
Also known as razor bumps.

Pustule
A small elevation of the skin that contains pus, typically referred to as a pimple or zit.

Rosacea (aka Acne Rosacea)
A chronic dermatitis of the face, nose and cheeks. The acnelike pimples are caused by dialated capillaries characterized by a red or rosy coloration.

Salicylic Acid
Derived from a plant, Salicylic Acid is a beta hydroxy acid that is used in many health care products. For acne, Salicyclic Acid helps skin shed more evenly, preventing pores from clogging and lessening the likelihood of getting the acne condition.

Scarring
Collagen within the skin is damaged from inflamation and permantently changes the skin's texture.

Sebaceous Glands
They produce oil and become alive during puberty.

Sebum
Also knows as oil.

Textural Changes
See Scarring.

Whiteheads
Closed-comedo, clogged pores that have no opening.

Zit
Slang term for papule or pustule.