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Skin Glossary · Appearance of the skin

Comedone

Related terms · Blackhead · Whitehead · Blocked sebum

Comedones are lesions where the follicle opening is blocked; open comedones may appear black, and closed comedones may appear white or as skin-colored bumps.

Reviewed by Korean Medicine Doctor Choi Yeon-seung · Last updated 2026-08-25
01

What does 'comedone' mean?

A comedone is a basic acne lesion where the opening of the hair follicle appears blocked by sebum and dead skin cells. Since it is a lesion with a blocked follicle opening, open comedones may appear black, while closed comedones may appear white or as skin-colored bumps.

02

How is it different from similar conditions?

Not all small papules are comedones. If comedones are mostly absent, other possibilities such as rosacea, folliculitis, or contact dermatitis are considered.

03

Why is this important in dermatology care?

This is a clue used to distinguish acne from rosacea or folliculitis in cases of facial redness and papules.

04

What should be checked based on my symptoms?

Repeated extraction can increase inflammation and scarring, so medical evaluation tailored to the cause is necessary.

Related conditions and medical guidance

Check guides where this term is used

Condition GuidanceRosaceaRosacea may begin with recurring redness on the face, centered around the nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin, or with the skin becoming darker than the usual skin tone, such as purple or brown, with the color persisting over time. It may be accompanied by burning, stinging, sensitivity, visible fine blood vessels, and papules, pustules, or edema that look like acne. In some cases, the skin on the nose, forehead, and chin thickens. Dryness, a foreign body sensation, redness, or eyelid swelling in the eyes may appear before skin symptoms; severe eye pain, light sensitivity, or changes in vision require a prompt ophthalmological evaluation.Condition GuidanceFolliculitisFolliculitis typically appears as small red pimples or pus-filled pustules that suddenly form in clusters around the hair follicles. The area around the skin change may be red, itchy, or burning, and may be painful when pressed; scabs may form after pustules burst. Shallow folliculitis remains as small papules or pustules, but if it deepens, it may look like a large, hard, painful boil or a carbuncle where several boils are connected, increasing the risk of scarring and hair loss. If redness and pain spread suddenly or are accompanied by fever, chills, or body aches, the spreading infection must be promptly evaluated.Condition GuidanceDemodex MitesSince Demodex mites normally live in the facial and eyelash follicles of many adults, the mere fact that they are visible or detected does not necessarily mean they are causing symptoms. If they increase excessively and cause demodicosis, symptoms such as facial itching, burning sensation, sensitivity, erythema, sand-like rough skin with follicular scaling, papules, and pustules may appear. If the eyelids are affected, itching, irritation, scaling, thickening, loss of eyelashes, or conjunctival irritation may occur; however, as these are similar to rosacea, eczema, acne, or other types of blepharitis, you should not self-diagnose without an examination by a dermatologist or ophthalmologist.Medical Evaluation GuidePrepare for your visit with skin photos, symptoms, and medications usedRather than a single photo, please prepare a chronological record of the date the symptoms first appeared, the timing of when they disappear and reappear, itching and pain, and the medications used and your reactions to them. It is helpful for the medical evaluation to take photos of the same area from the same distance during both normal states and when symptoms are most severe.

Comparison of similar terms

Terms to know for easier distinction

Evidence and Update Information

The definitions and safety standards in the materials below were referenced.

  1. NCBI Clinical Methods: Principles of Skin Lesion ObservationClinical terms describing the shape, arrangement, and distribution of lesions have been verified.
Summary and review information for this page

Reviewing Medical Staff

Choi Yeon-seung, Doctor of Korean MedicineChief Director · Editor of Korean Medicine Atlas · BRC Researcher

Page Summary

Comedones are lesions where the follicle opening is blocked; open comedones may appear black, and closed comedones may appear white or as skin-colored bumps.

What this page covers

What is explained
In the sentence 'A comedone is a lesion with a blocked follicle opening, where open comedones may appear black and closed comedones may appear white or as skin-colored bumps,' what should be checked first?
What situations are covered
A comedone is a lesion with a blocked follicle opening, where open comedones may appear black and closed comedones may appear white or as skin-colored bumps.
What distinctions are made
Meaning of comedone: A basic acne lesion where the opening of the hair follicle appears blocked by sebum and dead skin cells.
How should this be understood
A comedone is a lesion with a blocked follicle opening, where open comedones may appear black and closed comedones may appear white or as skin-colored bumps.

Key Points

  • Meaning of comedone: A basic acne lesion where the opening of the hair follicle appears blocked by sebum and dead skin cells.
  • Difference from similar terms: Not all small papules are comedones. If comedones are mostly absent, other possibilities such as rosacea, folliculitis, or contact dermatitis are considered.
  • Reason for checking during medical evaluation: This is a clue used to distinguish acne from rosacea or folliculitis in cases of facial redness and papules.

References cited on this page

Skin Terminology Glossary

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