There are two types of acne people suffer from: non-inflamed acne and inflamed acne, this week we will look at non-inflamed acne.

Types of non-inflamed acne
Closed comedo: As dead skin cells become progressively impacted in the follicle, a lesion develops and enlarges into a closed comedo. Although there is a small opening at the top, it is termed ‘closed’ because the opening is unable to dilate allowing the impaction to move up to the surface.

Open comedo (blackhead): As skin cells continue to collect they become more compact within the lesion, the surface opening dilates from internal pressure. The follicle opening becomes large, exposing the impacted melanin pigment and sebum to the air. The surface of the impaction oxidises and turns brownish-black, causing what is known as a blackhead.

As a closed comedo progresses to an open comedo, the impaction opens up and the lesion expels its contents. The pressure is off. Effective treatments will expedite the process. Once non-inflamed is treated, there is virtually no scarring or pain.