Acne Symptoms

Acne usually appears as a combination of some of these: (All images courtesy Dr. Jerry Tan)

Skin pores clogged with oil (sebum) and dead skin cells and topped by small black dots. The pore remains partially open at the surface.

Skin pores blocked with oil (sebum) and dead skin cells. The pore is closed over at the surface. A pale white centre can be seen.

Plugged, swollen skin pores circled by redness and filled with pus. The spots may feel tender.

Blocked skin pores with small, red, hard bumps. The spots may feel sore or sometimes rough like sandpaper.

Boil-like, red, swollen, painful, large pus-filled sacs extending deep into the skin. Some are large.

Large, often painful, solid, red bumps deep in the skin.

Mild to moderate acne can be distressing…

Some people with mild to moderate acne experience psychological symptoms as serious as those associated with severe acne such as anxiety and depression.
Effects of acne felt years later..

Some acne sufferers say the psychological effects associated with this condition, such as hurt and shame, continue to be felt for many years. Experts call this “emotional scarring”.
Acne and your genes

There is a genetic component to acne. One study of teens sufferers found 78% had a close family relative with the condition. Those with a family history are more likely to get it at an earlier age and develop severe acne.