Acne appears when hair follicles and pores become clogged and create sores on the surface of the skin. These lesions can take many forms, including cysts, blackheads, abscesses, pimples, and in some people even permanent scars.

Acne most often appears during puberty, part of the adolescent period. This is when the human organism begins to experience big changes in hormone levels as a consequence of the devoloping an adult, grown-up body. Acne can affect both genders at all ages; sometimes throughout their complete adult lives.

Pimples inflammation is the most apparent symptom in regard to skin appearance. Inflammatory acne can mainly be seen on the face, but there are other spots on the body that can be affected, like the scalp, upper arms, neck, chest, back, shoulders, and legs. The pimple is the most prevalent form of acne. A pimple appears when a hair follicle or pore becomes irritated and develops small red sores on the skin surface. Before the blemish is fully formed there are symptoms that can be seen. These symptoms include closed comedos, open comedos, cysts, and pustules. Blackheads are clogged pores that have a darker color with an opening at the surface of the skin. Whiteheads are slightly different in that they don't show an open ended pore. If they are left alone for a couple of days, they will commonly turn into pustules. If the zits are squeezed or popped, they will usually become more infected and could become scarred. So it is a good idea to leave pimples alone.

Non-inflammatory and inflammatory are the major kinds of acne. Two categories compose the non-inflammatory type: closed and open comedos. A closed comedo is usually called a whitehead and develops on the skin as a small yellow or white bump. The open comedo is usually called a blackhead.

Pustules are discolored sores that are filled with pus and have a yellowish or whitish color. They can appear from whiteheads or blackheads. They are round lesions that present inflammation derived from aggravated sebaceous glands. The body has many sebaceous glands that produce sebum, an oil-like chemical. When the skin is exposed to too much sebum, the hair follicles and pores become infected and irritated. Cysts are larger pus filled sores that appear on the surface but are in reality in the lower layers of the epidermis.

Whatever kinds of zits or scars there are, there is a proper treatment that is available. A better knowledge of the different kinds of acne will give the acne patient a better idea of the best treatment product for a particular condition. Remember, an acne problem doesn't have to affect you all your life. With a bit of time and research, anybody can find the treatment that is right for them.