# Comedo extraction

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**Comedo extraction** is a widely used method of treatment for [acne vulgaris](/source/Acne_vulgaris).[1] A [dermatologist](/source/Dermatologist) or cosmetologist may extract [blackheads](/source/Blackhead) (open comedones) using gentle pressure around the pore opening, and [whiteheads](/source/Whitehead_(acne)) (closed comedones) by incision with a large needle or a blade.[2]

If performed skillfully, this treatment may be beneficial to the patient.[2] Possible negative effects of the procedure include incomplete extraction, refilling, scarring and tissue damage.[2] There are few articles describing the use of comedo extraction in peer-reviewed dermatology journals.[1][needs update] In one study in 1964 of extraction of non-inflamed whiteheads on patients' foreheads (the only study of the procedure cited in a 2007 [literature review](/source/Literature_review)), the procedure reduced the number of future inflamed lesions and the recurrence rate of comedones, but worsened patients' inflamed cystic lesions.[3]

## References

1. Taub AF (September 2007). "Procedural treatments for acne vulgaris". *Dermatologic Surgery*. **33** (9): 1005–26. [doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2007.33215.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-4725.2007.33215.x). [PMID 17760592](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17760592). [S2CID 24928883](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:24928883)

1. Gollnick H & Cunliffe W et al. (July 2003). "Management of acne". *J Am Acad Dermatol*. **49** (1): S1–S37. [doi:10.1067/mjd.2003.618](https://doi.org/10.1067/mjd.2003.618). [PMID 12833004](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12833004)

1. Taub AF (September 2007). "Procedural treatments for acne vulgaris". *Dermatologic Surgery*. **33** (9): 1005–26. [doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2007.33215.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-4725.2007.33215.x). [PMID 17760592](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17760592). [S2CID 24928883](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:24928883) (Citing Lowney E, Witkowski J, Simons H, Zagula Z (September 1964). "Value of comedo extraction in treatment of acne vulgaris". *JAMA*. **189** (13): 1000–2. [doi:10.1001/jama.1964.03070130020005](https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1964.03070130020005). [PMID 14188876](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14188876))

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Comedo extraction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comedo_extraction) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comedo_extraction?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.