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How acne lesions form
The primary lesion is the blackhead. It forms when sebum production in the sebaceous glands increases, together with excessive keratinisation of skin cells. Shed cells block the openings of the glands, and the accumulated secretion forms a blackhead, which favours bacterial growth and the development of inflammation.
The lesions affect seborrhoeic areas: the face, but also the neck, décolletage and back. Aggravating factors include chronic stress, hormonal fluctuations, diet, family predisposition and the effect of certain medicines.
The lesions usually appear around the age of twelve, but they also affect adults and can persist for many years.
Types and forms of lesions
Acne vulgaris
It occurs in adolescence. Blackheads, papules, pustules, sometimes cysts, and inflammatory infiltrates appear on the face in the seborrhoeic areas. The lesions can also affect the chest.
Rosacea
Pustules and papules in both sexes, most often between the ages of thirty and fifty, in people with fairer skin. It is accompanied by erythema, and the lesions affect the central part of the face: the cheeks, nose, forehead and chin. Symptoms worsen with high and low temperatures, hot meals, alcohol and sun exposure.
Forms of the lesions
Early. White or black comedones, visible on the face, arms and back.
Moderate. Raised, red papules or pustules.
Advanced. Blue-red nodules filled with purulent content.
Possible consequences
Long-standing, untreated or incorrectly treated acne can leave permanent changes: persistent erythema, scars, enlarged pores and post-inflammatory pigmentation. For this reason, establishing a plan of management at an early stage also matters for the condition of the skin in the future.
When a medical assessment is needed
Acne is a skin disease, so the first step is often a dermatological consultation: for inflammatory or nodular lesions, lesions that are progressing quickly, pain, eye involvement in the case of rosacea, and when the current skincare routine is worsening the condition of the skin.
Cosmetological and aesthetic management supplements treatment provided by a dermatologist, it does not replace it. A description of the symptom does not allow acne vulgaris to be distinguished from rosacea, nor does it rule out another condition.
Groups of methods that may be considered
Below are the directions of treatment only, without a description of how the procedures are carried out. Details of each method, preparation, reactions after the treatment and prices can be found on the treatment pages that the links lead to.
Eligibility and limitations
The scope of management depends on the form of the lesions, the presence of active inflammation, skin phototype, medicines being taken and previous treatment. Some procedures require postponement, skin preparation or withdrawal, for example in the case of active inflammation or the use of preparations that increase photosensitivity.
We do not give the number of sessions or the intervals between them before qualification, because for two people with a similar skin presentation the management can differ.
Possible reactions after procedures include redness, a feeling of tightness, flaking and a temporary worsening of the lesions. We discuss the scope for a specific method before it is carried out, together with post-treatment recommendations.
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Responsible for the content
NL Clinic, Katowice
How the content is created
Last updated
15 August 2026
This material is informational in nature and does not replace a consultation or qualification.