Just as there are different types of acne lesions, there are also different
types of acne. Although there are a number of rare forms
of acne, most experts divide acne into three main types: comedonal
acne, acne vulgaris, and cystic acne.
The first type, comedonal acne, consists of whiteheads and blackheads
alone, without the presence of other acne lesions. Therefore,
comedonal acne is the mildest form of acne. However, since closed
comedones often burst and become inflamed, it is not uncommon
for people with comedonal acne eventually to develop papules and pustules.
When people have a mix of comedones, papules, and pustules,
they have acne vulgaris, or common acne. A man who suffered
from acne vulgaris recalls: “I had them all. I had blackheads on my
nose. I had whiteheads on my forehead. I had bumpy red pimples
and big pus pimples on my chin, neck, back, and shoulders.”
Acne vulgaris is the most common form of acne, affecting approximately
90 percent of all people with acne. Acne vulgaris can
be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the number of acne lesions
a person has and how severely the lesions are inflamed.
The third type of acne, cystic acne, is the most severe form of
acne. The presence of comedones, papules, pustules, and numerous
acne cysts characterize cystic acne. Because cysts are caused by
severe inflammation and infection, cystic acne can be quite painful.
Making matters worse, if cystic acne is left untreated, the severe
inflammation and infection that cause cystic acne can damage surrounding
tissues. This frequently leaves the skin of people with
cystic acne permanently scarred. Apatient explains: “You can see
the scars where I had cysts today. They look like little craters. You
can see them on my neck and on my back. I’ve got a little bit of evidence
on my face too. Wherever you see a crater, that’s where I
had a cyst.
