What are Blemishes and Pimples?

Any kind of mark or discoloration on the skin can be called a blemish. According to an online dictionary, its definition is “a small mark or flaw that spoils the appearance of something.” So blemishes could include acne, but can also include dark spots or places where someone has picked their acne lesions.

All of acne is caused by the inherited tendency of “retention hyperkeratosis”. This is a fancy name for dead skin cells piling up and sticking together inside the pore along with other debris such as sebum, bacteria and a random rudimentary hair. This debris clumps together to form a plug inside the pore. This is actually called a “comedo”. If this comedo remains non-inflamed, it becomes a whitehead or blackhead. However, if it goes down the path of inflammation (also an inherited tendency) it will turn into a pimple, pustule, or cyst.