Is it Advisable to Extract the Comedones?
Actually, it is not the comedones that are extracted, but the mixture of the oily sebum and the cellular debris blocking the hair duct within the comedones that is being extracted. • Clearing the blocked ducts in a blackhead will result in faster healing, if done properly. • Never squeeze or scrub the comedones; this will worsen the acne and may precipitate an inflammatory reaction resulting in scarring. • Do not try to extract contents from a whitehead or a closed comedone. Breaking of the sebum and debris into the dermis may result in inflammatory acne formation. • The procedure should be carried out by an experienced dermatologist or cosmetologist only, with a comedone extractor. Mild acne treatment is carried out through topical applications, topical retinoids being the most preferred agents. Sources: • Diane T, Gollnick H et al. New insights into the management of acne: An update from the Global Alliance to Improve Outcomes in Acne Group. J Am Acad Dermatol, 2009;60:S1-50. • Simps
