Comedone Extraction
Place in Therapy
Place in Therapy
There is very little by way of evidence for the use of comedone extraction as a method of treatment for acne however it has persisted to be a form of treatment, likely due its immediate effects that can be seen by the patient through removal of the comedones1. The procedure may be helpful however there are times when attempted extraction can have adverse effects such as with cystic acne2. The procedure of comedone removal is done with a tool and may be an option for patients who do not wish to use any form of topical or systemic medication to help improve the appearance of their acne. There have been no studies that used a comedone extractor in combination with any of the topical or systemic therapies however this may be an option to provide immediate improvement of the appearance of the acne while the other treatments deal with the underlying bacterial cause of the acne.
References:
1. Taub AF. Procedural Treatments for Acne Vulgaris. Dermatol Surg 2007;33:1005 – 1026.
2. Lowney ED, Witkowski J, Simons HM, Zagula ZWJ. Value of comedo extraction in treatment of acne vulgaris. JAMA. 1964; 189: 1000 – 2.
There is very little by way of evidence for the use of comedone extraction as a method of treatment for acne however it has persisted to be a form of treatment, likely due its immediate effects that can be seen by the patient through removal of the comedones1. The procedure may be helpful however there are times when attempted extraction can have adverse effects such as with cystic acne2. The procedure of comedone removal is done with a tool and may be an option for patients who do not wish to use any form of topical or systemic medication to help improve the appearance of their acne. There have been no studies that used a comedone extractor in combination with any of the topical or systemic therapies however this may be an option to provide immediate improvement of the appearance of the acne while the other treatments deal with the underlying bacterial cause of the acne.
References:
1. Taub AF. Procedural Treatments for Acne Vulgaris. Dermatol Surg 2007;33:1005 – 1026.
2. Lowney ED, Witkowski J, Simons HM, Zagula ZWJ. Value of comedo extraction in treatment of acne vulgaris. JAMA. 1964; 189: 1000 – 2.