Acne causes spots and oily skin, and sometimes skin that is hot or painful to touch.

Acne most commonly develops on:

• the face – this affects almost everyone with acne
• the back – this affects more than half of people with acne
• the chest – this affects about 15% of people with acne

Types of spots

There are six main types of spot caused by acne:

• blackheads – small black or yellowish bumps that develop on the skin; they are not filled with dirt but are black because the inner lining of the hair follicle produces pigmentation (colouring)
• whiteheads – have a similar appearance to blackheads, but they can be firmer and will not empty when squeezed
• papules – small red bumps that may feel tender or sore
• pustules – similar to papules, but have a white tip in the centre that is caused by a build-up of pus
• nodules – large hard lumps that build up beneath the surface of the skin and can be painful
• cysts – the most severe type of spot caused by acne; they are large pus-filled lumps that look similar to boils and carry the greatest risk of causing permanent scarring

When to seek medical advice

Even mild cases of acne can cause distress. If your acne is making you feel very unhappy or you cannot control your spots with over-the-counter medication, see your GP. 

Also see your GP if you develop scarring, nodules or cysts. Scarring is more common with deep nodules and cysts, but can occur after spots nearer the surface.