Acne Glossary

Acne

Acne is a skin disease that affects the hair follicles and sebaceous glands on the face, chest, and back and that is characterized by a variety of different blemishes.

Androgen

Male hormone produced by the adrenal glands, testes, and ovaries.

Astringent

An alcohol lotion that dries the skin and produces a tight sensation.

Benzyl peroxide

An oxidizing agent, the main constituent of most of the anti-acne preparations available over the counter. It works by introducing oxygen into the follicle, then killing bacteria.

Blackheads

Open comedones where blockage within the hair canal leads to the build-up of solidified oil within the canal.

Collagen

A natural fibrous protein produced in the skin by specialized cells called fibroblasts, and used by injection to repair acne scars.

Comedone

A plug of keratin and sebum within a hair follicle that is blackened at the surface. It is often referred to as a blackhead.

Cyst, Cyst acne

Cyst is a sack like structure usually filled with fluid or semisolid material, such as a sebaceous cyst. Cyst acne is large acne blemishes deep within the skin.

Dermabrasion

A surgical method to reduce acne scars by abrading away part of the skin.

Exfoliant

A substance that, when applied to the skin, promotes scaling and the sloughing off of the topmost layer of cells. It helps dry up acne blemishes, papules, and pustules, meanwhile, may cause a minor irritation.

Hormone

A chemical produced by the endocrine glands that is carried by the blood to various parts of the body, where it regulates metabolic and other functions.

Keloid

An unusually thick scar, often oddly shaped and itchy or painful.

Papule

A solid swelling on the skin surface; a pimple.

Retin A

A vitamin A derivative which is made up in either a gel, cream or lotion formulation.

Scar

A mark left on the skin after an injury to skin tissue has healed.

Sebaceous gland

The gland that is attached to the hair follicle and produces oil in response to the male hormone testosterone.

Sebum

An oily substance produced by the sebaceous gland, and pumped onto the surface of the skin to lubricate and protect the skin surface.