Blackhead

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This article is about the skin condition. For other uses, see Blackhead (disambiguation).
Blackheads removed from a nose by a Biore Pore Cleansing Strip. As can be seen, the blackheads appear as yellowish in color.
Blackheads removed from a nose by a Biore Pore Cleansing Strip. As can be seen, the blackheads appear as yellowish in color.

A blackhead (medically known as an open comedo[1] , plural comedones [2]) is a yellowish or blackish bump or plug on the skin. A blackhead is a type of acne vulgaris. It is caused by excess oils that have accumulated in the sebaceous gland's duct. The substance found in these bumps mostly consists of keratin and modified sebum (an oily secretion of the sebaceous gland), which darkens (resembling dirt) as it oxidizes. [3]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Medicine.net - Medical dictionary - definition of blackhead/open comedo
  2. ^ Merriam–Webster Online
  3. ^ Blackhead definition at encyclopedia.com
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