Pimples and Acnes

Pimples and Acne - Are They Same?

By common parlance, one may not try to differentiate an acne from pimple. But it is necessary to clarify the difference, particularly from the angle of their manifestations and diagnosis. I will not be wrong, if I describe pimples as  a form of acne at a  specific stage of anatomical appearance.
 
 Let us look at the anatomy of acne lesions and  the way acne develop from one stage to another. The scientists use a system of grading to categorize the various stage of acne lesions. According to that grading acnes , in general pass through five successive stages.
(i) The initial stage is characterized by microcomedones and comedones. In common terms they are known as 'white heads' and 'black heads'. They are traditionally known as the noninflammatory acne lesions.

(ii) The second phase is the 'papule'- a visibly inflamed tiny bump. The papules are tender to the touch. The conventional science recognizes as an non-inflammatory acne lesions.

(iii) The third stage is Pustule, a lesion with more visible inflammation than papule.The inflammation at this stage is identified with pimple. In other words, we refer the pustules as pimples.

(iv) At the fourth stage, the acne is known as the 'nodule' - a big, painful and solid growth extending deep into the skin, associated with visible inflammation.

(v) If not taken care at the previous stage, the last known classified stage of acne is 'cyst'. A cyst is an inflamed, pus-filled lesion running deep into the skin layers.This happens when multiple nodules merge together to shape into a huge lesion.

Reference: The Acne Prescription by Nicholas Perricone, MD.