Comedo: meaning, definitions and examples

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comedo

[ kəˈmiːdəʊ ]

Noun

^{Context #1 | Noun}

skin care

A comedo is a clogged hair follicle (pore) in the skin. Keratin (skin debris) combines with oil to block the follicle. A comedo can be open (blackhead) or closed by skin (whitehead), and occur with or without acne.

Synonyms

blackhead, pimple, whitehead.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
comedo	Used in medical or dermatological contexts as a general term for a clogged hair follicle. It can refer to both blackheads and whiteheads. The dermatologist examined the patient's skin and noted multiple comedos. Comedos are a common feature in acne.
blackhead	Commonly used in everyday conversation to describe a type of comedo that appears black due to oxidation. It is frequently mentioned in beauty and skincare contexts. I need to buy a blackhead remover tool. She tried a new face scrub to get rid of her blackheads.
whitehead	Used in everyday conversation and beauty/skincare contexts to describe a type of comedo that has a white or flesh-colored appearance. It refers to a clogged hair follicle that hasn't been exposed to air. She has a few whiteheads on her chin. Using a gentle exfoliant can help prevent whiteheads.
pimple	A general term used in everyday conversation to describe a small, often red, raised spot on the skin, usually due to infection or inflammation of a sebaceous gland. It can be used to describe both comedos and more mature acne lesions. I woke up with a big pimple on my forehead. He's worried about the pimples on his face before his big presentation.

Examples of usage

Regular exfoliation can help prevent comedones from forming.
She had a few comedones on her nose.
Comedones are a common skin concern for many people.
The dermatologist recommended a gentle cleanser to help with comedo removal.
Using non-comedogenic products can reduce the likelihood of developing comedones.

Translations

Translations of the word "comedo" in other languages:

🇵🇹 comedão

🇮🇳 कॉमेडोन

🇩🇪 Mitesser

🇮🇩 komedo

🇺🇦 комедон

🇵🇱 zaskórnik

🇯🇵 面皰 (めんぽう)

🇫🇷 comédon

🇪🇸 comedón

🇹🇷 komedon

🇰🇷 면포 (myeonpo)

🇸🇦 زؤان

🇨🇿 komedon

🇸🇰 komedón

🇨🇳 粉刺

🇸🇮 komedon

🇮🇸 sortuhönd

🇰🇿 комедон

🇬🇪 კომედონი

🇦🇿 komedon

🇲🇽 comedón

Etymology

The word 'comedo' comes from Latin, where it means 'glutton' or 'eater of unripe fruits'. In medical terminology, it was first used in the 19th century to describe a type of skin lesion. Comedones are a common skin issue, especially in adolescents, and proper skincare routines can help prevent their formation.