Comedo extraction is a widely-used method of treatment for acne vulgaris.^[1] A dermatologist or cosmetologist may extract blackheads (open comedones) using gentle pressure around the pore opening, and whiteheads (closed comedones) by incision with a large needle or a blade.^[2]

If performed skilfully, this treatment may be beneficial to the patient.^[2] Possible negative effects of the procedure include incomplete extraction, refilling, scarring and tissue damage.^[2] There are few articles describing the use of comedo extraction in peer-reviewed dermatology journals.^[1] In one 1964 study of extraction of non-inflamed whiteheads on patients' foreheads (the only study of the procedure cited in a 2007 literature review), the procedure reduced the number of future inflamed lesions and the recurrence rate of comedones, but worsened patients' inflamed cystic lesions.^[3]

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