Definition

1. Noun:
   • A black-tipped plug clogging a pore of the skin: A comedo is a small, non-inflammatory skin lesion formed by a plug of dead skin cells and sebum (oil) within a hair follicle. When the plug is open at the skin's surface and exposed to air, it oxidizes and appears black, commonly known as a blackhead.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The dermatologist explained that a comedo is the primary lesion of acne.
  • Regular cleansing can help prevent the formation of a comedo.
  • The esthetician carefully extracted the comedo from the patient's nose.

Advanced Usage

• "Closed comedo": Also known as a whitehead. This is a comedo where the follicle is completely blocked by the plug, and the surface of the skin remains closed, giving it a white or flesh-colored appearance.

  • A closed comedo, or whitehead, is less visible but can develop into an inflamed pimple.

• "Open comedo": The standard term for a blackhead, where the plug is open to the air.

  • An open comedo has a dark appearance due to the oxidation of melanin and sebum.

Variants and Related Words

• Comedones (n): The plural form of comedo.
  • The treatment is effective for reducing comedones.
• Comedogenic (adj): Describing a substance that tends to cause or worsen comedones by blocking pores.
  • She avoids using comedogenic makeup to prevent breakouts.
• Comedolysis (n): The process of breaking down or dissolving comedones.
  • Salicylic acid aids in comedolysis.

Synonyms

• Blackhead: The common, non-medical term for an open comedo.
• Whitehead: The common term for a closed comedo.

Related Terms and Phrases

• Acne vulgaris: The medical term for common acne, a skin condition characterized by the presence of comedones, papules, and pustules.
  • Acne vulgaris often begins with the formation of a comedo.
• Follicular plug: A descriptive term for the material blocking the follicle in a comedo.

Noun

1. a black-tipped plug clogging a pore of the skin