What’s the Difference Between Acne and Pimples?
The difference between acne and pimples is that acne is a disease and pimples are one of its symptoms.
Takeaway
Acne is a common skin disorder, and pimples are a symptom of that condition.
While the exact causes of acne haven’t been determined, there are a number of self-care, OTC, and prescription options to help you reduce or eliminate acne and the pimples that accompany it.
The difference between acne and pimples is that acne is a disease and pimples are one of its symptoms.
Acne is a condition affecting the skin’s hair follicles and oil glands.
Under your skin, your pores are connected to glands that make an oily substance known as sebum. The glands and pores are connected by a canal known as a follicle that has a thin hair that grows out to the skin’s surface.
When sebum and dead skin cells clump together, they form a plug in the follicle. Bacteria in the plug causes inflammation, leading to red pimples in acne.
Acne symptoms
Different symptoms can indicate different types of acne and include:
blackheads: plugged pores on the skin’s surface, open
whiteheads: plugged pores, under the skin’s surface, closed
papules: small, tender red or pink bumps
pustules: papules with pus on top
nodules: large, painful lumps deep under the skin’s surface
cysts: painful, pus-filled lumps under the skin’s surface
Under your skin, your pores are connected to glands that make an oily substance known as sebum. The glands and pores are connected by a canal known as a follicle that has a thin hair that grows out to the skin’s surface.
When sebum and dead skin cells clump together, they form a plug in the follicle. Bacteria in the plug causes inflammation, leading to red pimples in acne.
Acne symptoms
Different symptoms can indicate different types of acne and include:
blackheads: plugged pores on the skin’s surface, open
whiteheads: plugged pores, under the skin’s surface, closed
papules: small, tender red or pink bumps
pustules: papules with pus on top
nodules: large, painful lumps deep under the skin’s surface
cysts: painful, pus-filled lumps under the skin’s surface
Acne prevention
There are many self-care steps you can take to help prevent acne or to help heal and keep acne manageable. Here are a few to try:
Wash your face with warm water and a mild facial cleanser.
Use noncomedogenic hair products, sunscreen, and makeup. Avoid squeezing or picking at blemishes. Avoid touching your face with your hands, your phone, and your hair. Maintain a healthy diet, and avoid skim milk and food products with high glycemic load.
Wash your face with warm water and a mild facial cleanser.
Use noncomedogenic hair products, sunscreen, and makeup. Avoid squeezing or picking at blemishes. Avoid touching your face with your hands, your phone, and your hair. Maintain a healthy diet, and avoid skim milk and food products with high glycemic load.
Takeaway
Acne is a common skin disorder, and pimples are a symptom of that condition.
While the exact causes of acne haven’t been determined, there are a number of self-care, OTC, and prescription options to help you reduce or eliminate acne and the pimples that accompany it.
