Comedo: meaning, definitions and examples

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comedo

[kəˈmiːdəʊ ]

Definition

^{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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'comedo' comes from Latin, which means 'to eat up', referencing how dead skin and oils clog up the pores.
In English, the term has been used since the early 19th century to describe skin blemishes in the context of dermatology.

Science

Comedos are classified into two types: open comedos (blackheads) that are dark due to oxidation and closed comedos (whiteheads) that are covered by skin.
They are commonly associated with acne, which is the most prevalent skin condition affecting people of all ages.

Health & Hygiene

Keeping skin clean and using gentle exfoliants can help prevent the formation of comedos.
Certain ingredients like salicylic acid can effectively treat them by unclogging pores.

Pop Culture

In popular beauty culture, 'blackhead removers' and facials targeting comedos are widely marketed, often featuring viral challenges on social media.
Comedo extraction has been a popular treatment in many skincare clinics and even in various beauty YouTube tutorials.

Literature

In skincare literature, comedos are frequently discussed in the context of acne treatment methods, including natural and over-the-counter remedies.
Many dermatological textbooks include diagrams and case studies about how comedos develop and can be treated effectively.

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