Many people believe there is only one form of acne, but there are in actuality four different types of acne. These types are:

• Whiteheads - Are a result of a pore being completely blocked, trapping bacteria, sebum, and dead skin cells, causing a white appearance on the skin surface.
  
• Blackheads - Are formed when a pore is only partially blocked, allowing some of the trapped bacteria, sebum, and dead skin cells to slowly drain to the surface. The black color is not caused by dirt, but is a reaction of the skin's own pigment, melanin, reacting with the oxygen in the air. A blackhead can be a stable structure, and often takes a long time to clear.
  
• Papules - The inflamed, tender, red bumps with no head. Do not squeeze a papule, as it will do no good and may cause scarring.
• Pustules - Similar to a whitehead, but is inflamed, and appears as a red circle with a white or yellow center. Pustules are your average zit.