What are whiteheads commonly referred to as?

Whiteheads are commonly referred to as comedones, which are a type of acne. Specifically, a whitehead is a closed comedone, formed when a hair follicle becomes clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. This blockage prevents the material within the follicle from being exposed to the air, resulting in the characteristic white or flesh-colored appearance.

In contrast, pustules are red inflamed areas on the skin that contain pus, while milia are small, white cysts that typically appear around the eyes and cheeks, formed from keratin trapped beneath the skin. Acne is a broader term that encompasses various forms of skin blemishes, including both comedones and pustules, but does not specifically identify whiteheads. Thus, the precise terminology "comedones" for whiteheads is critical in understanding the classification of skin lesions in esthetics.