A pimple typically contains a mixture of sebum, dead skin cells, bacteria, white blood cells, and other debris. This combination forms what we commonly know as pus.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
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Sebum: An oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands in your skin. Overproduction can clog pores.
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Dead Skin Cells: These cells shed naturally, but can accumulate within pores.
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Bacteria: Specifically, Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) is a key player in the development of pus-filled pimples. This bacteria thrives in clogged pores.
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White Blood Cells: These are the body's defense mechanism against bacteria. They rush to the infected pore to fight the C. acnes bacteria, and contribute to the pus formation.
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Other Debris: This can include dirt, makeup, and other environmental contaminants that find their way into pores.
The pus forms as a result of the body's inflammatory response to the trapped sebum, dead skin cells, and bacterial infection. The white blood cells are essentially sacrificing themselves to eliminate the bacteria, resulting in the pus that fills the pimple.
