Acne Magazine

The first time I was ever introduced to the word “comedone” was after a visit to a dermatologist when I pointed out a black spot that was slightly protruding on my face, specifically on the side of my cheek.  I was concerned because the spot had not disappeared for quite a few weeks, and since my family has a history of skin cancer, my feelers are always out for any suspicious spots or lesions that will not go away and are out of the norm. 

This black dot was definitely on my radar, and since I already had a dermatologist appointment set up for an unrelated issue (not acne, by the way), I asked her about the black dot that was maybe only a millimete in size and not visible unless you were right up on my face.  She quickly determined that it was only a comedone.  I asked what a comedone was, and she explained that a comedone is simply a blackhead.

Most blackheads that I’ve had do not reach this size, nor are they in areas where I normally do not even get acne, so this one was a little out of the ordinary of what I’m totally used to by now, of diagnosing capably on my own.  She quickly extracted the comedone with expert hands (they do not recommend you try this yourself unless you know what you are doing, as it may cause further inflammation if it is done incorrectly), and that was the end of it.

The reason I bring this up is because my mother also had the same issue, and her being in her mid fifties, she is also starting to check mysterious spots out as well.  She also went to a doctor and was told it was “only a comedone”, and was relieved.  You don’t know for sure though until you go, so if you do get any larger than normal black spots, it’s still better safe than sorry to get them checked, as skin cancer can also take similar form.