Arkansas Esthetician Practice Exam 2025 – The Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Master Your Certification!

A whitehead is commonly referred to as a closed comedo. This term describes a type of acne lesion that occurs when a hair follicle becomes clogged with oil, debris, and dead skin cells. In this condition, the follicle remains closed at the surface, which prevents the contents from oxidizing and turning dark, leading to the characteristic white or flesh-colored appearance of a whitehead.

Understanding the terminology is crucial for identifying different types of acne lesions. For example, an open comedo, often known as a blackhead, has a similar clogging of the follicle; however, it remains open to the air, allowing the material to oxidize and appear dark. Rosacea, on the other hand, is a chronic skin condition that leads to redness and visible blood vessels, unrelated to comedones. Telangiectasia refers specifically to the dilation of small blood vessels, which can also contribute to skin redness but is distinctly different from comedones.

Knowing these distinctions helps in the correct identification and treatment of various skin conditions in an esthetician practice.