Glossary Of Acne Terms
from Acne Sorted

Glossary of basic acne terms
from Acne Sorted

Here is a basic glossary of acne terms from Acne Sorted to help you find your way around the mysteries of acne. For your convenience, the glossary of acne terms has been listed alphabetically. By understanding some of the basic glossary of acne terms you will be able to better understand the acne condition.

Acne conglobata: Rare form of inflammatory acne develops primarily on the jawline, cheeks, back, buttocks and chest. If not treated, acne conglobata can lead to scarring.

Acne cosmetica: Mild form of acne triggered by topical make-up products. It usually does not cause scarring.

Acne vulgaris: This skin condition affects 90% of all adolescents and 50% of adult women. It is caused by the clogging of tiny hair follicles on the face and body.

Allantoin: Active skin protectant used for its healing and moisturizing properties.

Androgens: Hormones that begin production at puberty in both males and females.

Atrophic macules: A form of scarring.

Benzoyl peroxide: Destroys the bacteria that causes the condition acne.

Blackhead: A blocked pore in which the "plug" enlarges and pushes through the surface of the skin.

Closed comedo: When the plug in the follicle stays below the surface of the skin, the lesion is called a closed comedo, or whitehead.

Comedo: When dead skin cells mix with sebum and get trapped in the opening of a follicle, this is a comedo.

Comedogenic: Substances that are likely to clog your pores.

Corticosteroids: Small doses may be used to treat acne.

Cortisol: Produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress.

Follicle: These tiny holes house the fine hairs that cover our faces and bodies.

Follicular macular atrophy: A form of acne scarring characterized by small, soft white lesions.

Ice-pick scars: Usually small but deep, with a jagged edge and steep sides.

Inflammatory: A word that means "causing inflammation."

Isotretinoin: Used to treat severe inflammatory acne when other treatments fail.

Keratosis pilaris: Tiny, red, kernel-hard bumps on the cheeks, chest, backs of the arms, shoulders, buttocks and the front of the thighs.

Macule: Flat, reddish spots that are the final stage of an acne lesion.

Nodule: Large and usually very painful, nodules are inflamed, pus-filled lesions lodged deep within the skin.

Noncomedogenic: Substance that is not likely to clog the pores.

Papule: The mildest form of inflammatory acne is the papule, which appears on the skin as a small, firm pink bump.

Papulopustular: A type of acne characterized by the presence of papules and pustules.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: A darkening of the skin at the site of a healing acne lesion.

Propionibacterium acnes: The bacterium Propionibacterium acnes is a regular resident of all skin types.

Puberty: The time of life when a child begins the process of physical maturation.

Pustule: Small, round acne lesions that are clearly inflamed and contain visible pus.

Sebaceous glands: Oil producing glands at the base of every sebaceous hair follicle.

Sebum: The oily substance produced by sebaceous glands.

Soft scars: Type of acne scar with gentle, sloping rolled edges.

Witch hazel: Has astringent, anti-inflammatory and healing properties.

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