Different Types of Acne Spots – Whiteheads, Blackheads, Papules

Sep 6, 2010
Kate Le Page

Different types of acne spots include whiteheads, blackheads and papules, which can range from mild to severe, with blackheads being clearly visible.

Acne is especially common among teenagers. There are several different types of acne spots, including whiteheads, blackheads, and papules.

Types of Acne Spots – Whiteheads

Whiteheads are sometimes referred to as closed comedones and are usually white in appearance, with the whitish lump being able to be both seen and felt on the surface of the skin. These acne spots can appear anywhere on the skin, often appearing beside the nose. In Acne: The Essential Guide, A. Mariconda (2009) explains that whiteheads get larger due to swelling which occurs behind the blockage, which slowly becomes more visible.

As recognised by D. Day (2005) in 100 Questions & Answers About Acne, whiteheads often result in sufferers being inclined to pick the white core of the acne spot. This is unhelpful, because fingers are not sterile, thus resulting in a risk of infection, leading to eventual scarring.

Acne Spots Include Blackheads

Whereas whiteheads are referred to as closed comedones, blackheads are known as open comedones. This type of acne spot is highly visible, typically located near the nose in the T-zone, despite usually being fairly small in size. According to Mariconda, when blackheads appear on the surface of the skin, it is due to blockage occurring higher up the duct, causing the pore to widen and open, leading to the contents being made visible.

As with whiteheads, it is not recommended to pick at blackhead acne spots, due to the risk of the area becoming affected. Day highlights that both of these types of acne spots may remain in the skin for a long time, with blackspots commonly mistaken for dirt.

What are Papules?

Another type of acne spot, known as a papule, which unlike whiteheads or blackheads, is an inflammatory spot. In Spotless: The Essential Guide to Getting Rid of Spots and Acne, E. Mummery writes that papules tend to be about the size of a pinhead, appearing on the skin as small raised spots. Papules may feel rather itchy and according to Mariconda, result from leakage of sebum into the surrounding tissues, leading to inflammation.

As highlighted above, three main types of acne spots include whiteheads, blackheads and papules, with the last type being an inflammatory form of spot. While there is usually a strong temptation to pick whiteheads and blackheads, this is best avoided, as this can lead to an increased risk of the spot becoming infected and causing scarring.