What condition occurs when the hair follicles become clogged with sebum and dead skin cells?

Comedones occur when hair follicles are obstructed by a combination of sebum (an oily substance produced by sebaceous glands) and dead skin cells. This blockage can lead to the formation of blackheads or whiteheads, which are types of acne. Blackheads are open comedones that are exposed to air, leading to oxidation and the characteristic dark color, while whiteheads are closed and appear as small, flesh-colored bumps. Understanding the role of sebum and dead skin cells in the formation of comedones is essential for effective skincare and hair removal practices, as it highlights the importance of proper exfoliation and cleansing techniques to prevent and treat acne.

While folliculitis involves the inflammation of hair follicles often due to infection, dermatitis refers to skin inflammation which can have various causes, and psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that leads to the rapid growth of skin cells. None of these conditions specifically describe the clogging of hair follicles with sebum and dead skin cells as precisely as comedones do.