: Acne:

“There is probably no single disease which causes more physical trauma, more maladjustments between parents and children, more general insecurity, feelings of inferiority, and greater sums of psychic suffering than does Acne Vulgaris.” Dr. Sulzberger.

Is there any person on this planet who has not experienced the ‘zit’? The problem is so common that it might be regarded as “normal adolescence”, yet acne is not normal and can be easily prevented.

: Acne-Vulgaris

In your teens, sebaceous glands (oil glands) are stimulated by sex hormones (androgens) to an over-production of sebum (fats, oils and waxes). It appears that the walls of the sebaceous glands also become damaged preventing the normal flow of sebum. This can result in the development of blackheads and pustules that incubate bacteria. Normally, sebum spreads across the surface of the skin helping to prevent water loss, assisting skin cells to adhere together (cholesterol is part of the sebum), preventing loss of heat, and forming part of the natural disinfecting power of the skin. Acne can affect adults, even late in life, and there are several different types.

: Socialization

Do not underestimate the importance that acne can play in ones’ early social life. It is not purely emotional, there are deeper biological factors. Few realize that the skin is not just a covering - it is the largest organ of the body. In a big male, it can weigh as much as a house brick and when stretched out covers more than 2 sq. meters. Let me repeat, unbelievably it is an organ, just like the heart, liver or brain. The skin is extremely complex with delicate sensory organs that educate the brain about the outside world.

: Skin & Immunity

Today we are astonished to discover that the skin is the major organ of the immune system. T cells, after leaving the thymus (a small organ found above and in front of the heart), migrate to the skin epidermis where they receive a complex set of hormones produced by skin cells which cause these T cells to finally mature and become the master cells of the immune system (The Immunologic Function of the Skin, Sc. Am. June 198, Edelson & Fink, p. 34-40).

: Skin & Attraction

You are literally a walking bag of chemicals, bathed in salt water, in fact you are around 60% water. The bag that holds this water is the skin, maintaining the internal chemical environment, preventing the loss of this water, protecting against mechanical injury, heat, cold, sunlight, chemicals, germs. The skin is also the only way in which you can be recognized. Without the skin nobody could tell who anybody was! It has a personality that changes with your emotions and health condition. Little wonder that it is the organ of sexual attractiveness.

: Skin & Sex

Many people have fallen in love at first sight. What did they see? Nothing but skin and hair, yet there is a science to nature. Why the skin is so important in selecting a mate is at long last unraveling. The famous Nobel immunologist NK Jerne explains that our children inherit half of their immune system from each parent, yet half the immune system will destroy the other half. Self immune tolerance is not innate, it is something that your immune system must learn. This education appears to be a vital role of the thymus gland and the skin.

What has all this got to do with Acne? Well, this knowledge explains why selecting a mate with a compatible immune system is so important and that the skin is the immune system and thus a vital part in sexual attractiveness. Healthy vibrant satin smooth skin is an excellent indicator of a person’s health and immunity. Acne can destroy this sex appeal.

: Acne & Teenagers

Unfortunately the problem appears right at the time of development of interest in the opposite sex. Severe acne can very deeply affect ones’ social acceptance, confidence and development of character. Even mild acne can make you look and feel unattractive. A study of criminals shows that many have bad scarring due to severe acne in their teens and this may have been a factor in many becoming socially rebellious. There is no doubt that puberty is a very important time, relationships will be remembered for the rest of our lives and in fact, much of that will be to do with skin.

: Scarring

Permanent scarring and disfiguration can accompany acne. Medical text is unanimous that this is mainly cause by squeezing and picking which introduces more dangerous infections, particularly those associated with Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. The problem is easily prevented by simply keeping the fingernails clean. It is of great importance to clean the fingernails before squeezing or picking the acne.
Please forgive me for being subjective, however, this is one of the major reasons why I developed the special soap and method of use which involves digging the thumb and fingernails into the soap several times before using the residue left clinging to the fingers to wash the hands as normal. Many are confident that this method of use will one day be standard procedure in hand washing and it will prevent millions of people from waking each morning for the rest of their life looking at their scarred skin. I have seen first hand, women using heavy makeup every day of their lives just to hide this scarring. It is like putting heavy makeup on your damaged heart, kidneys or liver, it causes further major overall health problems.

Remember, acne is a malfunction of normal sebaceous glands and that these oil glands occur mainly on the face, thus a effects the most important part of the skin’s attractiveness. There is a ‘Devil’s Circle’; dammed up sebum incubates normal skin bacteria that finally convert this sebum into irritating fatty acids, black and white heads, all resulting in an irrepressible response to squeeze and pick, leading to deeper infections, inflammation and permanent damage to the skin.

: Acne-Free

We must never accept acne! Medicine is the history of accepting common problems, and failing to see the simple solution. Two examples are sunlight for Rickets and hand-washing for child birth fever and surgery. Today, there is a great deal of emphasis on genetic factors in many diseases. In all these cases, including those associated with acne; all that is inherited is a predisposition, not the disease. One can easily avoid the environmental factors so that the predisposition is not important. The best prevention is the simplest; practice washing the face and cleaning the fingernails at least several times each day. Acne may not be a disease of hygiene, however, those who have the predisposition and subject to environmental factors, must practice the very best possible hygiene on a very regular basis. Teenagers must be taught that hygiene reaches its greatest importance at puberty, simply because of intimate contact. If necessary the face and fingernails must be washed 6 times every day in order to maintain beautifully clear skin. It is worth the simple effort. There is more to hygiene than just preventing acne. Height, physical development and mental performance are also deeply associated with the standard of hygiene.

: Hygiene & Acne

I cannot over-emphasize the forgotten role that self-inoculation plays in acne. Every single human, upper class, lower class, black, white, red or yellow will touch their face, rub their eyes, pick their nose numerous times every day of their life. It is not a habit! It is part of the human condition! Proper cleaning of the fingernails cannot be over-emphasized. Normally few people are prepared to sit down and scrub their fingernails for 3 or 4 minutes several times a day, especially young teenagers. Even the 10 minute surgical scrub with iodine is not effective (Am. J. Surgery, 1979, v. 138, p. 463). For this reason I developed the tub of special soap into which the fingernails are prodded and the residue used to rub all over the hands and over the face. The technique is astonishingly simple and it takes less than 10 seconds to wash the hands and face. The soap is also specially formulated so that a good layer is applied to the skin and it contains a skin conditioner that is very similar to natural sebum, thus restoring the natural disinfecting power of the skin. This simple hygiene system can prevent the sebum forming blackheads by washing away excess oils and fats, lowering the concentration of germs and their astonishingly powerful toxins. I specially formulated the soap to help lower inflammation which is a powerful force in causing acne.

: Clever-germs

Germs are the best chemists, they have developed sophisticated means of attaching to the skin by powerful electrostatic charges, glue-like chemicals and their complex hairy surfaces are often imitations of our own tissues to bewilder the immune system. It is the combination of germs that causes the problem, over-stressing the strongest immune system. Yet, in the soap there are no strong chemicals, the results can be achieved even in those with severe acne and improvements in those with permanent scarring.

: Face-wash

I incorporated zinc sulfate, zinc oxide, linoleic and oleic acid, castor and olive oil, into the soap. The soap also contains a combination of fatty acids, oils, honey, essential oils and vitamin E. All these have a reputation for bringing results with acne. The soap is made with short carbon chains which in combination with the method of use, ensure deep cleaning and removal of blackheads and prevention of inflammation. For those with the predisposition to develop severe acne, especially boys, it is important to wash the face at least 6 times a day. Women may complain regarding their makeup, however, remember, that good skin requires no makeup to remain attractive. For those who wish to wear makeup then wash the face 2 or 3 times in the morning before applying the makeup and 2 or 3 times at night after removing it. The soap is also excellent for removing makeup.

: Simple-method

As mentioned above, the finger / thumb nails of each hand are simply prodded into the soap to the extent of the cuticles. This automatically forces soap under the fingernails and into the crevices of the cuticle. Sufficient soap is left clinging to the fingertips to apply to the face. Rub the soap well into the skin of the face, take note to carefully wash the nose and around the front of the nostrils. Massage the soap into the face for about 20 seconds, then rinse. Repeat this procedure, then rinse again. The Facial Dip must also be performed as described below. Naturally, the hands are washed this way also. An invisible layer of soap remains under and around the fingernails between washing. No skin lotion is required as it is contained within the soap.

: Acne-bath

To back this system up I have developed a simple Facial Dip. Three different solutions are added to a basin of water; Dip A one day, Dip B the next and Dip C the next, or for those with severe problems use the 3 dips, 3 or 4 times a day (do not mix the dips together). These dips not only fully saturate the skin and reach into every crack and crevice opening the pores and ensuring the sebaceous glands remain open, they do much more. The big benefit is that these facial dips clean out the eyes and front of the nasal passageway. Remember, acne improves in summer with swimming and sunlight. The dips are based on the benefits of regular swimming. There is also a link between respiratory diseases and acne. Acne is usually much worse in winter, when the immune system comes under stress of constant respiratory infections. My research over the last 20 years shows that most of these respiratory infections are mainly spread again by contaminated fingernails picking the nose, rubbing the eyes and sucking the fingers. I have seen first hand those with severe acne have a history of frequent respiratory (often chronic) infections. The results that can be achieved by simply cleaning the fingernails and performing the facial dips to clean out the nasal passageway, sinuses and eyes, can change the very understanding of acne and skin problems.

: Diet

Eating too much chocolate, drinking too much milk, high fat in the diet, are all important. Undoubtedly a sensible balanced diet, particularly in association with calorie restriction, contributes to a healthy immune system, skin and physical attractiveness. The problem is in our modern society, particularly in the US, abundant food creates great difficulty in practicing calorie restriction. Another problem is the rising population which increases dramatically the ability of microbes to spread. Those living in poor crowded conditions have greater stress which manifests itself in skin problems. Again, do not forget, the skin is the organ of the immune system and usually the first to show signs of stress. In summary, there is no doubt that diet is important, yet it will not prevent or treat the common problem of acne. Hygiene will bring results regardless of the diet, regardless of how much one eats, regardless of genetic factors.

: Conclusion

Under and around the fingernails contains an inexhaustible supply of remarkable microbes that via self-inoculation are constantly introduced to the skin, eyes, nose, mouth, ears, etc. Microbes never cause a problem on their own, only in concert with others, enhancing their potential dramatically, making them more than a match for even a healthy immune system. Antibiotics, derivatives of vitamin A, acne treatments all carry side effects which outweigh the benefits. Improved hygiene reaches into the very basis of acne and other skin problems, there are no side effects, the cost is low, and the results are spectacular; natural beautiful skin and hair. Few realize that the very difference between people is not genetic, it is clearly the standard of hygiene within the family. There is no need to tolerate acne and in the days when it begins to flare or appear, simply increase the hygiene regime in a counter-attack. The battle is always won!

Topical-therapy:	Use:
Salicylic Acid 1%	Kills bacteria; reduce number of cells in skin's oil glands, reducing oil production; not well tolerated with dry skin, sensitive skin or acne rosacea
Glycolic Acid	exfolliant (removes top layer of skin) for salicylic acid to work well; strong acids can cause premature aging of the skin unless accompanied by antioxidant protection; not well tolerated with dry skin, sensitive skin or acne rosacea
Chitosan Ascorbate	antioxidant, promotes collagen synthesis
Green Tea Extract	antioxidant
Kola Nut Extract	for open skin, sooths, heals blemishes fast without drying and with less risk of scarring
Hyaluronic Acid	moisturizing agent without irritation: protein found in the dermis (deeper layers of the skin); holds up to 1000 times its weight of water
Hexylene Glycol	emollient without oil or soap: prevents irritation of rosacea with any rubbing
Ubiquinone (CoQ10)	antioxidant protection against UVA; maintain collagen and elastin, anti-wrinkle, reduce scarring
Benzoyl peroxide (lotion, cream, gel)	gel is most effective, but most irritating; drying, cracking, long term moisture imbalance, scarring with cystic acne; not well tolerated with dry skin, sensitive skin or acne rosacea
Emu oil	most penetrating oil: transdermal delivery for oil soluble ingredients to oil glands
Tea tree oil (Melaleuca, alternifolia) 5% - 10%	anti-bacterial: 5% tea-tree oil decreases the number of "inflamed and non-inflamed lesions" (whiteheads and cystic acne/acne rosacea). (Department of Dermatology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, October, 1990) Tea tree oil can cause redness and irritation, especially at higher concentrations.
High-Tech Hygiene soap	Wash face daily and finger nails more often: more effective than 10 minutes of surgical scrubbing; relieves #1 stress on immunity.
Zinc	healing, prevents scarring
Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)	antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, reduces wrinkles
Triclosan	anti-bacterial: kills Propionibacterium acnes
Essential oils	Biofield test for compatibility: Cedarwood (Cedrus, atlantica); Frankincense (Boswellia, carteri); Grapefruit (Citrus, paradisii); Lavender (Lavendula, officinalis or angustifolia); Lime; Myrrh (Commiphora, myrrha); Orange; Palmarosa (Cymbopogon, martini); Patchouli (Pogostemon, patchouli or cablin); Rosewood (Aniba, roseodora)
Acupressure	Large Intestine 4 (cleanse head and face); Spleen 10 (cleanse blood, reduce heat)
Calendula	soothing, healing, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial
Chamomile	soothing
Aloe vera gel	soothing, cooling, restorative, can be drying
Juices (fresh)	Apricot juice for cystic acne; Grate or juice Cucumber alone or with carrot, lettuce or alfalfa juice and apply topically; Buttermilk for irritation; Mint juice; juice of a raw green papaya including the skin and seeds (or rub face with a ripe papaya); fresh lime juice mixed with roasted and powdered Pomegrenate skin
Neem oil	Anti-bacterial Hot wet towel compresses are the best treatment for localized infections, as heat dilates blood vessels, followed by a cold compress
Almond oil and endocarp	Nourishing base oil; grind endocarp (brown covering of 2-3 almonds) and apply to skin daily with MSM and Unique E to help remove scars
Hydrotherapy	Hot moist compress (dilates blood vessels; 5 minutes: do not reheat during this time), followed by a cold compress (can be ice-cold washcloth, but no ice cubes; 10 minutes); repeat cycle 30 minutes twice a day if needed
Turmeric (Curcuma, longa)	As a paste for mild acne
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)	As a paste of fresh leaves on the face at night, washed with warm water; A decoction of 1 tsp. Fenugreek seeds boiled in 1 liter of water for a couple of minutes as a cleanser
Allantoin (from Comfrey: Symphytum, officinale)	Soothing mucopolysaccharide
Cinnamon bark extract	Anti-bacterial: kills Propionibacterium acnes, E. coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus & other bacteria
Cosmetic Ingredients	Mineral oil (petrolatum: blocks oil glands); ammonia; artificial colors; ethanol; EDTA; formaldehyde, nitrates, Povidone (polyvinylpyrolidone: PVP); artificial fragrances
Flower-Essence	Crabapple: feeling dirty, wanting to get rid of something bad
Tretinoin (Retin A: retinoic acid in an Rx gel, cream or liquid)	Skin irritation, photosensivity
Synthetic retinoids (isotretinoin: Differin)	Prescription topical medication; burns at first, can cause severe birth defects and spontaneous abortion
Antibiotics: Erythromycin (Benzamycin, Erygel, & ceteral), clindamycin (Cleocin, Clina-Derm), tetracycline	Prescription topical drugs; problems: systemic absorption, llergic reactions, diarrhea, colitis. Women of child-bearing age, and children: discoloration of developing tooth enamel (tetracycline)
Steroid injections	For cystic acne: prevents normal tissue healing, stresses adrenals and kidneys; can cause glaucoma and cataracts.

: Systemic-remedies: (Biofield test for compatibility)

Factor:	Systemic-therapy:	Use:
Antibiotic	Erythromycin	Prescription antibiotic: kills friendly flora, can cause nausea, negative impact on health and terrain (Phase 1 or 3)
Antibiotic	Minocycline	Prescription antibiotic: kills friendly flora, usually less severe side effects than erythromycin
Antibiotic	Natural Antimicrobials	Biofield test for compatibility: Berberine (Berberis, aquifolium), Neem (2 tablets twice a day), Silver & Clove, Grapefruit seed extract (Citrus, paradisii), Mild Silver Protein, Garlic (Allium, sativum)
Antioxidant	Multiple-Antioxidant	Maxogenol
Botanical	Female endocrine balance	Vitex, agnus-castus (chaste tree berry)
Botanical	Tea (sample formula)	Equal parts: Smilax, officinalis (Sarsaparilla root); Rumex, crispus (Yellow dock root); Sassafras, albidum (Sassafras root bark); Althea, officinalis (Marshmallow root); Trifolium, pratense (Red clover blossoms)
Botanical	Yin-building	Althea, officinalis (Marshmallow root); Ulmus, fulva (Slippery elm bark); Rumex, crispus (Yellow dock root)
Botanical	Blood-Cleansing (in addition to the Diaphoretic herbs; reduce heat and dampness)	Taraxacum, officinalis (Dandelion root: acute eruptions); Hydrastis, canadensis (Goldenseal root); Larrea, divaricata (Chaparral leaves: acute eruptions); Viola, tricolor (Pansy flowers: for children); Echinacea, angustifolia and purpurea (Echinacea root); Rumex crispus (Yellow dock root); Arctium, lappa (Burdock root: acute eruptions); Trifolium, pratense (Red clover blossoms); Marrubium, vulgare (Horehound leaves); Phytolacca, species (Poke root: topical in olive oil or homeopathic dose stimulates lymph drainage); Rheum, palmatrum (rhubarb root: if constipation persists).
Botanical	Diaphoretic (cleanse via sweat)	Smilax, officinalis (Sarsaparilla root); Sassafras, albidum (Sassafras root bark); Arctium, lappa (Burdock seed); Achilliea, millefolium (Yarrow leaves and flowers)
Botanical	Guggulipid: Guggul extract (Commiphora, mukul)	Reduces excess lipids; improves fat metabolism
Botanical	Parslane Herb (Herba: Portulacae)	Treats furuncles & sores
Botanical	Densefruit Pittary Root-bark (Cortex: Dictamni)	Removes damp heat
Botanical	Honeysuckle Flower (Flos: Lonicerae)	Removes heat and toxicity
Botanical	Mongolian Dandelion Herb (Herba: Taraxaci)	Clears liver fire
Botanical	Baical Skullcap Root (Radix: Scutellartae)	Eliminates heat & resolves dampness
Botanical	Beivedere Fruit (Fructus: Kochiae)	Treats inflammation of the skin
Botanical	Weeping Forsythiae Capsule (Fructus: Forsythiae)	Reduces intense heat and eliminates virulent substances
Botanical	Chinese Wolfberry Root-bark (Cortex: Lycii)	Treats syndrome of blood-heat
Botanical	Tree Peony Bark (Cortex: Moutan)	Promotes blood circulation: removes blood-stasis
Botanical	Snakegourd Root (Radix: Trichosanthis)	Facilitates drainage of pus and subsidence of swelling
Botanical	Figwort Root (Radix: Scrophulariae)	Reduces heat from blood and counteracts toxicity
Botanical	Coix Seed (Semen: Coicis)	Nourishes the stomach and promotes production of body fluid
Botanical	Honey (Mel), raw	Enhances toning effect
Diet	Avoidance	Avoid: junk food (excessive Iodine), especially junk fats (fried foods, commercial red meats, hydrogenated oils, margarine, crisco), dairy, sugar, iodized salt.
Diet	Emphasis	Eat whole foods, especially vegetables; green drinks.
Enzyme	Serraflazyme	Reduces scars
Exercise	Rebound	Pumps the lymph most efficiently
Fat	Essential Fatty Acids (E.F.A.)	Linoleic acid deficient in skin with acne: Flax seed oil, unfiltered (Linum, ussitatisimum:1 tsp/day); Sesame seed oil; Borage oil (Borago, officinalis: 3 capsules a day) for Gamma Linoleic Acid (G.L.A.); Omega-3 (D.H.A.)
Flora	Beneficial Flora	Biofield test for compatibility: Friendly-Flora, Soil-Base-Organisms (EM-1), Sanum remedies
Flora	Pathognomonic Flora	Propionibacterium acnes: normally benign; live in glandular canals; overgrowth stimulated by hormones
Flower-Essence	Crab-apple	feeling dirty, wanting to get rid of something bad
General health	Key-issues	Consider: Food sensitivity/allergy (avoid dairy); Colon function; Liver/Gall bladder function; Candida; Fatty acid metabolism; Digestive enzyme functions (Stomach, Pancreas); PMS (trigger)
Homeopathy	Complex	Biofield test for compatibility: Acne Drops
Homeopathy	Classical	Complete a symtpom checklist for individual homeopathic suggestions for cystic acne; Consider: Sulfur; Natrum-muriaticum; Berberis, aquifolium; Kali-bromatum
Homeopathy	Phytogemmotherapy (2X botanical hormones from growing buds, shoots, root tips, et cetera)	Black currant (Ribes, nigrum); English elm (Ulmus, campestris); European walnut (Juglans, regia); Oriental plane tree (Platanus, orientalis)
Hormone	D.H.E.A.	Potential side-effect at high dosages
Massage	Brushing	Dry brushing skin on body stimulates lymph and cleansing via skin
Massage	Vodder	Manual Lymph Drainage of the neck and shoulders clears the lymph efficiently
Mineral	Calcium	Sango-Coral complex capsules or Structural Integrity Plus tablets provide depleted alkalinity that reduces inflammation and strengthens connective tissues
Mineral	Magnesium	Supplement: Magnesium Glycinate (best absorption; no loose stools)
Mineral	Chromium	Deficiency; supplement: up to 500 mcg/day
Mineral	Iodine	Excess; avoid junk food, iodized salt
Mineral	Oxygen	CellFood: pathogenic organisms are anaerobic; body cells are aerobic (oxygen loving)
Mineral	Silica	BioSil for collagen synthesis
Mineral	Talc Powder (Pulvis: Talci)	Arrests discharges; can contain asbestos fibers
Mineral	Zinc	Test deficiency with oral Zinc sulfate taste test; Supplement: zinc monomethionine (Opti-L-Zinc): up to 60 mg/day: with Copper if long term. Acne (especially cystic acne) is associated with systemic zinc depletion. Zinc is essential for immunity (via metalloproteinases for tissue-cleansing and adenosine deaminase for T-cell communication to eliminate dysbiosis) and wound healing (new collagen & elastin). Zinc reduces sebum by inhibiting 5-alpha-reductase (preventing conversion of testosterone to
Vitamin	A	Deficiency or excess; supplement: 25,000 I.U./day; up to 150,000 I.U./day for non-child-bearing adults with cystic acne
Vitamin	B6	Deficiency or imbalance of B-complex; supplement: 50 mg in complex; consider P5P
Vitamin	Beta carotene	Supplement: 25,000 I.U.
Vitamin	C	Supplement: 3000 mg/day with bioflavonoids: Ester-C complex, E (Unique E: 800 I.U./day for cystic acne)
Vitamin	Excess/imbalance	Consider: Vitamins A excess, B vitamin imbalance
Water	Water	Drink alkaline antioxidant water (Sango-coral or Microwater): 4 ounces every half hour. Avoid soda, coffee, tea, alcohol.

: Acne-Treatment: Summary:

Product	Additional costs	Route	Side effects	Efficiency
Antibiotics	Doctor visits for Rx	Systemic	Photosensivity, upset stomach, dizziness	Only temporarily suppresses acne
Benozyl Peroxide	-	Topical	Dryness, skin irritation, allergy	Suppresses symptoms only
Contraceptive pills	Doctor visits for Rx	Systemic	nausea, mood changes, contraception	Only for women. Treats only hormonal aspect of acne
Natural internal remedies	-	Systemic	100% safety, free of side effects	Extremely effective, treats causes of mild to severe acne
Natural topical solutions	-	Topical	may cause skin irritation	Fight outbreaks not the underlying causes of acne
Retin-A	-	Topical	Skin irritation, photosensivity	Suppresses symptoms only
Retinoids, oral (Accutane)	Doctor visits for Rx	Topical	Serious side effects.	Most effective drug, Only for severe cases, Suppressive

: Acne-Glossary:

Acne conglobata: A rare form of acne that usually affects males on the back, chest, and buttocks with pustules and nodules, which often connect under the skin. Because of this tendency to connect, severe bacterial infection is possible, as well as extensive scarring.

Acne cosmetica: triggered by make-up, with small pink bumps, usually mild, little chance of scarring.

Acne fulminans: A rare and extreme form of acne conglobata, almost always affects males; sudden onset of pustules and nodules, infected nodules, fever, joint pain, and possibly loss of weight or appetite.

Acne medicamentosa: reaction to drugs; starting or ending birth control pills; steroids; testosterone.

Acne rosacea: not true acne: inflammation of the face, neck or chest that results in red, bumpy, oily skin; usually starts at age 30 to 60; can cause scarring; often accompanied by acne vulgaris.

Acne vulgaris: the most common acne (vulgaris means common in Latin). Acne vulgaris affects 90% of adolescents and 50% of adult women. Clogging of the hair follicles causes these pimples. At the most severe levels, it can leave scars.

Comedonal acne: whiteheads and blackheads only.

Comedones: Enlarged, plugged hair follicles: If under the skin, it's a whitehead; If it breaks the surface, it's a blackhead.

Cyst: Similar to a pustule, a cyst is an inflamed, pus-filled lesion that goes deep into the skin, and can cause pain and scarring.

Cystic acne: One of the most severe forms of acne; infected contents of a pustule or pimple erupts beneath the skin, rather than on the surface. The immune system fights the infection, leading to swelling and pain. Cystic acne often causes facial scarring. While it usually occurs spontaneously, cystic acne can be caused by scratching and picking at pimples.

Macule: A temporary red area that is the result of a healing lesions. When macules are massed in an area they make the skin look an angry red.

Nodule: large, solid, often painful lump deep in the skin.

Papules: Small, tender pink bumps on the skin.

Pustules: pimples or pustules are inflamed, pus-filled comedones, often red around the edges.