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 abscesses, blackheads, cysts, pimples, and in some people even permanent scars.

Acne is most commonly observed during puberty, part of the adolescent period. This is when the human body starts to have big variations in hormone production as a result of the devoloping an adult, grown-up body. Acne can afflict both genders at all ages; sometimes throughout their complete adult lives.

Pimples inflammation is the most apparent symptom in regard to the appearance of the skin. Inflammatory acne can mostly be seen on the face, but can appear on a variety of other spots on the body like the upper arms, chest, scalp, shoulders, neck, back, and legs. The pimple is the most prevalent form of acne. A pimple appears when a hair follicle or pore becomes irritated and the skin surface is then marked with small red sores. There are some observable symptoms before the blemish is fully formed. These symptoms include open comedos, closed comedos, pustules, and cysts. 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 have an open ended pore. They will commonly turn into pustules if left alone for a couple of days. If the zits are popped or squeezed, they will generally become more infected and could end up in a scar. So leaving pimples alone is a good idea.

Non-inflammatory and inflammatory are the major types of acne. The non-inflammatory type is divided into two lesser categories: closed and open comedos. A closed comedo is usually known as a whitehead and develops on the skin as a small white or yellow lesion. The open comedo is otherwise called a blackhead.

Pustules are pus filled, discolored sores, and have a whitish or yellowish color. They can appear from whiteheads or blackheads. They are round lesions that have become inflamed because of damaged sebaceous glands. The skin has many sebaceous glands that secrete 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 can be seen on the surface but are in reality in the lower layers of the epidermis.

Whatever types of zits or scars there are, you will find a good solution that is available. A better knowledge of the different types of acne will give the acne sufferer a better idea of the best treatment product for a particular problem. Remember, you don't have to live all your life with an acne problem. With a bit of time and research, anybody can find the treatment that is right for them.