From a dermatologist’s point of view the term pimple are meaningless. Some people use the term as a synonym for Acne. Other people use the term to refer to any red bump with a superimposed pussy area (pustule) or without a superimposed pussy area (papule).
Pimples can be found in a long list of skin conditions. To confirm the diagnosis of Acne in someone presenting with “pimples” one or more of the following additional findings are required:
- Black heads (open comedones)
- White heads (closed comedones)
- Scarring
- Distribution of the pimples on the face, chest and back
So, if you have pimples, but none of the above findings, you probably do not have Acne!