What is a pimple?

Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD

Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease)

A pimple forms when hair follicles get clogged by oil and fill with pus. Hair grows from a deep follicle where it also has a blood supply. Sometimes the sebum, the oil that normally coats our skin, comes out from down below and is supposed to come out of this hole. But if you overgrow this, you clog it and then this stuff builds up and becomes pus.

That pus increases, raising the skin, and becomes a pimple.

This content originally appeared on doctoroz.com.

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.