NIC Esthetician Written ExamScientific ConceptsMedium
A client is scheduled for a facial treatment involving extractions. The esthetician notes that the client has several inflamed lesions with a central pore, filled with a mixture of sebum, dead skin cells, and bacteria, consistent with whiteheads. Which of the following terms best describes these specific lesions?
- AOpen Comedones
- BClosed Comedones
- CCysts
- DNodules
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Closed Comedones
Closed comedones, commonly known as whiteheads, are hair follicles that are completely blocked by sebum and dead skin cells, appearing as small, flesh-colored or whitish bumps without a visible opening.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Open comedones (blackheads) have a visible dark opening due to oxidation.
- C. Cysts are larger, deeper, pus-filled sacs that can be painful.
- D. Nodules are solid, painful lumps that extend deeper into the skin.
Closed Comedone (Whitehead)
A closed comedone is a hair follicle that is completely blocked by a mixture of sebum and dead skin cells, forming a small, flesh-colored or whitish bump without a visible opening to the skin surface.
- Also known as a whitehead.
- Result from follicular blockage.
- A precursor to inflammatory acne lesions.
Memory trick: Closed Comedone: The white door is shut.