Definition

Plugs within a sebaceous follicle that consist of dead corneocytes and solidified sebum. These are the primary lesions of acne vulgaris. There are two types: open comedones (often called blackheads); and closed comedones (referred to as whiteheads).

Overview

• Occurs in oily skin areas and any area of skin with pilosebaceous follicles.
• Open and closed comedones are the first symptoms of acne in teens.
• Multiple closed comedones may indicate acne cosmetica.

Occurs in oily skin areas or any area of skin with pilosebaceous follicles, including the face, neck, chest, and back. Open and closed comedones are the first symptoms of acne in teens. but this condition can affect any age group. Adults with multiple closed comedones may be afflicted with acne cosmetica, a type of acne associated with the use of skin care products or cosmetics that contain comedogenic (comedo-causing) fatty ingredients.

ASCP Members can access SkinPro to continue reading about comedones.

Treatment Considerations

• Open comedones should be treated with a desincrustation fluid or gel, which will soften the impaction for easier extraction. After softening, the comedones can be extracted using cotton swabs, a metal comedo extractor tool, or gloved, cotton-tipped fingers.
• Closed comedones may need dilation with a lancet prior to extraction.
• Clients should avoid oily or fatty products.

ASCP Members can access SkinPro to continue reading about comedones.

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ASCP SkinPro

Introducing our newest resource for estheticians, ASCP SkinPro—a web app that can easily be saved to your mobile device!

Included with ASCP membership, ASCP SkinPro is designed to aid in skin analysis by putting the essential knowledge of contraindications for common skin-related conditions and ingredients at your fingertips. Members can log in for access or go directly to the app.

Picture this: You’re in the treatment room and a client tells you they have atopic dermatitis and several allergies. You’re pretty confident you know how to proceed with treatment, but you want to be absolutely sure. Simply open the app, search for the condition, and you’ve got expert information at your fingertips. You can also use ASCP SkinPro to look up ingredients quickly and easily, identifying important contraindications and best practices so you can adjust your treatment plan on the spot.

Consult with ASCP SkinPro with confidence and elevate your treatment plans. The ASCP team sourced information from a variety of clinical journals and worked with Dr. Mark Lees, author of Skin Care: Beyond the Basics and a longtime contributor to ASCP Skin Deep magazine, to bring it all together.

HOW DO ESTHETICIANS USE ASCP SKINPRO?

• During consultation: Your client mentions a condition or ingredient allergy during the intake process and want to contraindications.
• During skin analysis: You observe a skin condition and want to make a quick decision about the best treatment.
• While retailing: You’re about to recommend a product for your client, but you want to confirm the contraindications and ensure the product will perform as needed. 

HOW DO I SAVE ASCP SKINPRO TO MY PHONE?

ASCP SkinPro uses progressive web app technology so you can save it to your phone, mobile device, or computer like an app, but it won't take up too much space. The app can recognize the device that you're using, and the instructions provided will match that device. For example, if you want to save ASCP SkinPro to your phone, log in with your phone and follow the instructions provided. Click here for instructions.

Already an ASCP member? Take a few minutes to try ASCP SkinPro here and discover your new go-to consultant!

Not yet an ASCP member? Join ASCP and get ASCP SkinPro, ASCP Career Toolkits, ASCP Skin Deep magazine, and the best professional liability insurance in the profession!