Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentsNatural Remedies
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatments
Natural Remedies
Closed comedones(whiteheads) are non-inflamed blemishes caused when skin debris and oils block pores in the skin. They can be treated with over-the-counter or prescription creams as well as manual extraction to help clear the plug and improve your appearance.
This article explains the symptoms and causes of closed comedones, including how they are safely and effectively treated.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoClosed comedones on forehead.DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Symptoms of Closed Comedones
Closed comedones can happen anywhere on the skin but most often develop on the face, neck, chest, and back wheresebaceous glands(that produce sebum) are densely populated.
By contrast,open comedones(blackheads) develop when the plug pushes through the opening of the follicle. The exposure of the plug to the air causes oxidation (in which oxygen causes the plug to turn black).
Closed and open comedones can (and often do) occur together in the same area of skin.
Causes and Risk Factors
Comedonesare caused when dead skin cells (calledkeratinocytes) mix with natural skin oils (calledsebum) and clog pores in the skin known ashair follicles.
Some people are more likely to develop comedones than others. Age, biological sex, lifestyle, and genetics are known to place certain people at greater risk of comedones and acne.
When comedones are persistent, they are referred to ascomedonal acne. The term is used because people with persistent comedones are more likely to developacne vulgaris(the most common form of acne).
Hormones and Comedones
This is why comedones are more common in tweens and teenagers when these sex hormones are surging.
At the same time, comedones can develop during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause due to estrogen fluctuations, or when people use substances likeanabolic steroidsthat suppress testosterone production.
Other factors can increase the risk of comedones and comedonal acne, including:
1:31Click Play to Learn More About Closed Comedones
1:31
Click Play to Learn More About Closed Comedones
Traditional Treatments
Closed comedones can be annoying, but you can treat them. If you have mild bumps and breakouts, you can first try an over-the-counter (OTC) acne remedy before considering prescription drugs.
Over-the-Counter Treatments
Over-the-counter acne creams, gels, and ointments containingbenzoyl peroxide, adapalene (0.1 differenc gel)salicylic acid, orglycolic acidcan speed up the shedding of dead skin cells and help clear excess sebum from the skin. This can help keep pores from getting clogged.
Over-the-counter products can take time to work. It can take eight weeks before visible improvement is seen.
Prescription Medications
If you have more than just a few closed comedones, or if you’ve been battling them for a long time, you may want to see a skin specialist called adermatologistfor prescription medications.
Topical retinoidsare a great choice and likely the first medication your dermatologist will prescribe. Options include:
These vitamin A-based medications help clear pore blockages and keep new ones from forming. They also have the added benefit of smoothing and softening the skin.
Manual Extractions
Dermatologist and estheticians will use their fingers and a special tool called a comedonal extractor to remove the plug.
While extractions can improve the appearance of your skin, they don’t keep closed comedones from forming. You’ll still need treatment to prevent them from coming back.
Natural Remedies for Closed Comedones
Instead of applying chemicals to their skin, which can be harsh, some people will turn to natural remedies to prevent or treat comedones.
Safety FirstBefore using any natural skin remedy, test it on a small area of your skin and wait for an hour or two (or even overnight) to see if you have any reaction. Remember that just because a product is natural doesn’t mean that it is safe for all people.
Safety First
Before using any natural skin remedy, test it on a small area of your skin and wait for an hour or two (or even overnight) to see if you have any reaction. Remember that just because a product is natural doesn’t mean that it is safe for all people.
How to Treat Comedonal Acne
Summary
Closed comedones are tiny bumps on your skin, also known as whiteheads. They are caused when dead skin cells and natural oils block skin pores.
Closed comedones can be treated with over-the-counter acne medications. If symptoms are severe, a dermatologist can prescribe topical creams to help get rid of the comedones and keep them from coming back. A dermatologist or esthetician can also manually extract them to help your skin look smoother.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Whiteheads.Tanghetti EA.The role of inflammation in the pathology of acne.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2013;6(9):27–35.MedlinePlus.Acne.DermNet New Zealand Trust.Comedonal acne.Leyden J, Stein-Gold L, Weiss J.Why topical retinoids are mainstay of therapy for acne.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2017;7(3):293–304. doi:10.1007/s13555-017-0185-2Fox L, Csongradi C, Aucamp M, du Plessis J, Gerber M.Treatment modalities for acne.Molecules.2016 Aug;21(8):1063. doi:10.3390/molecules21081063Słopień R, Milewska E, Rynio P, Męczekalski B.Use of oral contraceptives for management of acne vulgaris and hirsutism in women of reproductive and late reproductive age.Prz Menopauzalny. 2018;17(1):1–4. doi:10.5114/pm.2018.74895Proenca AC, Luis A, Duarte AP.The role of herbal medicine in the treatment of acne vulgaris: a systematic review of clinical trials.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.2022;2022:2011945. doi:10.1155/2022/2011945Eady EA, Layton AM, Cove JH.A honey trap for the treatment of acne: manipulating the follicular microenvironment to controlPropionibacterium acnes. Biomed Res Int.2013;2013:679680. doi:10.1155/2013/679680Additional ReadingBowe W, Kober M.Therapeutic update: acne.J Drugs Dermatol. 2014;13(3):235-238.Titus S, Hodge J.Diagnosis and treatment of acne.Am Fam Physician. 2012;86(8):734-40.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Whiteheads.Tanghetti EA.The role of inflammation in the pathology of acne.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2013;6(9):27–35.MedlinePlus.Acne.DermNet New Zealand Trust.Comedonal acne.Leyden J, Stein-Gold L, Weiss J.Why topical retinoids are mainstay of therapy for acne.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2017;7(3):293–304. doi:10.1007/s13555-017-0185-2Fox L, Csongradi C, Aucamp M, du Plessis J, Gerber M.Treatment modalities for acne.Molecules.2016 Aug;21(8):1063. doi:10.3390/molecules21081063Słopień R, Milewska E, Rynio P, Męczekalski B.Use of oral contraceptives for management of acne vulgaris and hirsutism in women of reproductive and late reproductive age.Prz Menopauzalny. 2018;17(1):1–4. doi:10.5114/pm.2018.74895Proenca AC, Luis A, Duarte AP.The role of herbal medicine in the treatment of acne vulgaris: a systematic review of clinical trials.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.2022;2022:2011945. doi:10.1155/2022/2011945Eady EA, Layton AM, Cove JH.A honey trap for the treatment of acne: manipulating the follicular microenvironment to controlPropionibacterium acnes. Biomed Res Int.2013;2013:679680. doi:10.1155/2013/679680Additional ReadingBowe W, Kober M.Therapeutic update: acne.J Drugs Dermatol. 2014;13(3):235-238.Titus S, Hodge J.Diagnosis and treatment of acne.Am Fam Physician. 2012;86(8):734-40.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Whiteheads.Tanghetti EA.The role of inflammation in the pathology of acne.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2013;6(9):27–35.MedlinePlus.Acne.DermNet New Zealand Trust.Comedonal acne.Leyden J, Stein-Gold L, Weiss J.Why topical retinoids are mainstay of therapy for acne.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2017;7(3):293–304. doi:10.1007/s13555-017-0185-2Fox L, Csongradi C, Aucamp M, du Plessis J, Gerber M.Treatment modalities for acne.Molecules.2016 Aug;21(8):1063. doi:10.3390/molecules21081063Słopień R, Milewska E, Rynio P, Męczekalski B.Use of oral contraceptives for management of acne vulgaris and hirsutism in women of reproductive and late reproductive age.Prz Menopauzalny. 2018;17(1):1–4. doi:10.5114/pm.2018.74895Proenca AC, Luis A, Duarte AP.The role of herbal medicine in the treatment of acne vulgaris: a systematic review of clinical trials.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.2022;2022:2011945. doi:10.1155/2022/2011945Eady EA, Layton AM, Cove JH.A honey trap for the treatment of acne: manipulating the follicular microenvironment to controlPropionibacterium acnes. Biomed Res Int.2013;2013:679680. doi:10.1155/2013/679680
MedlinePlus.Whiteheads.
Tanghetti EA.The role of inflammation in the pathology of acne.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2013;6(9):27–35.
MedlinePlus.Acne.
DermNet New Zealand Trust.Comedonal acne.
Leyden J, Stein-Gold L, Weiss J.Why topical retinoids are mainstay of therapy for acne.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2017;7(3):293–304. doi:10.1007/s13555-017-0185-2
Fox L, Csongradi C, Aucamp M, du Plessis J, Gerber M.Treatment modalities for acne.Molecules.2016 Aug;21(8):1063. doi:10.3390/molecules21081063
Słopień R, Milewska E, Rynio P, Męczekalski B.Use of oral contraceptives for management of acne vulgaris and hirsutism in women of reproductive and late reproductive age.Prz Menopauzalny. 2018;17(1):1–4. doi:10.5114/pm.2018.74895
Proenca AC, Luis A, Duarte AP.The role of herbal medicine in the treatment of acne vulgaris: a systematic review of clinical trials.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.2022;2022:2011945. doi:10.1155/2022/2011945
Eady EA, Layton AM, Cove JH.A honey trap for the treatment of acne: manipulating the follicular microenvironment to controlPropionibacterium acnes. Biomed Res Int.2013;2013:679680. doi:10.1155/2013/679680
Bowe W, Kober M.Therapeutic update: acne.J Drugs Dermatol. 2014;13(3):235-238.Titus S, Hodge J.Diagnosis and treatment of acne.Am Fam Physician. 2012;86(8):734-40.
Bowe W, Kober M.Therapeutic update: acne.J Drugs Dermatol. 2014;13(3):235-238.
Titus S, Hodge J.Diagnosis and treatment of acne.Am Fam Physician. 2012;86(8):734-40.
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