Whitehead (Closed Comedone)

A whitehead, or closed comedone, is a comedone in which the follicular opening is narrowed or covered by the overlying skin, trapping its contents within the follicle.

Whiteheads are non-inflammatory acne lesions and typically appear as small, flesh-colored or whitish raised bumps.

They can remain non-inflammatory or progress to inflammatory acne if inflammation develops within the follicle.

COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH

  • Blackhead: an open comedone.
  • Pustule: an inflammatory lesion containing visible pus.

SEE ALSO