Texas Class A Barber Written ExamShaving and Facial ServicesMedium
A barber is conducting a skin analysis and observes small, round, pearly lesions, often found around the eyes or on the cheeks, that are firm to the touch and do not have an opening. What skin condition do these characteristics most accurately describe?
- APustules
- BPapules
- CComedones
- DMilia
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Milia
Milia are small, white, pearl-like cysts under the skin, often found around the eyes and cheeks. They are firm and lack an opening, distinguishing them from pustules (pus-filled), comedones (clogged pores with an opening or closed), or papules (red, inflamed bumps without pus).
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Pustules are raised lesions containing pus, which is not described by 'pearly lesions' without an opening.
- B. Papules are small, red, elevated bumps that do not contain pus, differing from the 'pearly' and 'firm' description of milia.
- C. Comedones are hair follicles clogged with oil and dead skin cells; open comedones (blackheads) have an opening, closed comedones (whiteheads) are small bumps but usually not pearly and firm like milia.
Milia
Tiny, pearl-like cysts that form when keratin becomes trapped beneath the skin's surface. They are typically white or yellowish and appear as small, firm bumps with no opening.
- Commonly found around the eyes, nose, and cheeks.
- Are not acne and do not have a pore opening.
- Often removed by professional extraction.
Memory trick: Milia are like tiny, pearly, closed pearls under the skin.