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 Whiteheads
(closed comedomes):
The
largest sebaceous glands are found on the
nose and other parts of the face, where they
may become enlarged with accumulated sebum,
especially if the opening of the hair
follicle at the surface of the skin is
narrowed.
Accelerated
sloughing off of cells in the follicle and
sebum production leads to blockage of the
follicle, with buildup of this debris within
the follicle. From the skin
surface, one
sees a slightly raised, light-colored lesion
commonly known as a whitehead.
Blackheads
(open comedomes):
A
whitehead may continue to enlarge and
progress until eventually the
"plug" emerges from the surface of
the skin. The debris comprising the “plug
(sloughed cells and sebum)” is dark in
color. As it protrudes through the surface
of the skin, the whitehead becomes a
blackhead.
Blackheads
provide a medium for the growth of
pus-producing microorganisms and bacteria,
consequently resulting in the growth of
pimples,
itch, redness and inflammation of
the skin.
In
the acne-prone skin, there is increased
epithelial cell turnover in the sebaceous
glands.
Moreover, increased intercellular
adhesion among the epithelial cells also
occurs, and this contributes to the
retention of the cells within the glands.
Inflammatory
acne
The
increased proliferation and adhesion of
epithelial cells in the sebaceous glands may
cause blockade of the gland ducts, resulting
in swelling and redness, in the form of a
spot or papule, in the
locality.
In
bad cases, large and painful swellings
called nodules and cysts may develop. This
could result in scarring, in the form of
sunken pits or hard swelling, after the
condition has eventually settled.
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