How is moderate severity acne vulgaris best described?

Moderate severity acne vulgaris is typically characterized by a specific range of lesions, including both comedones (open and closed) and inflammatory lesions (such as papules and pustules). In this context, the correct description reflects a total lesion count that is significant but not excessively high, with a higher proportion of comedonal lesions present.

The correct answer indicates a total of 60 lesions, with 40 of those being comedones. This aligns well with the criteria used to classify acne severity, where 20 to 100 total lesions, including a substantive number of comedones, qualify as moderate.

This description highlights the mixed nature of moderate acne, which often involves both types of lesions, providing a better understanding of how this level of acne manifests. Other options either under-represent the total lesion count or do not contain enough of a mix of comedonal lesions to fulfill the classification of moderate acne.