Why does acne spread

Use this guide to get you started. Differin Gel uses retinoid to clear up acne and scarring. Here's everything you need to know about the over-the-counter medication. Severe acne can often be frustrating to manage and takes time to treat. Find tips for managing acne, what to avoid, and how to prevent it from getting…. Nizoral may be effective at treating acne caused by fungal overgrowth.

Learn more about what the research has to say about using Nizoral to treat…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Overview Types of pimples Should you pop? Proper technique Other remedies Preventing acne Getting help Takeaway Share on Pinterest We include products we think are useful for our readers.

Pimple protocol. Types of pimples. Should you pop? The right technique. Other remedies. Preventing acne. When to see a doctor. The follicle wall may bulge and produce a whitehead. Or the plug may be open to the surface and darken, causing a blackhead. A blackhead may look like dirt stuck in pores.

But actually the pore is congested with bacteria and oil, which turns brown when it's exposed to the air. Pimples are raised red spots with a white center that develop when blocked hair follicles become inflamed or infected with bacteria. Blockages and inflammation deep inside hair follicles produce cystlike lumps beneath the surface of your skin. Other pores in your skin, which are the openings of the sweat glands, aren't usually involved in acne.

People with darker skin types are more likely than are people with lighter skin to experience these acne complications:.

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells.

Common acne Open pop-up dialog box Close. Common acne Acne occurs when the openings of hair follicles become clogged and blocked with oil and dead skin cells.

Cystic acne Open pop-up dialog box Close. Cystic acne Cystic acne — the most severe form of acne — occurs when oil and dead skin cells build up deep within hair follicles. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. How acne develops Open pop-up dialog box Close. How acne develops Acne develops when sebum — an oily substance that lubricates your hair and skin — and dead skin cells plug hair follicles.

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It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs. How can acne spread to other areas? Mehmet Oz, MD. Pores—small openings in your skin—become clogged with excess sebum and dead skin cells, often trapping bacteria in the process.

When you pop a pimple, you create a small tear in the skin through which the trapped debris, oil, and bacteria can escape. Sounds pretty straightforward—at first. Our hands are notorious collection sites for microscopic dirt and debris.