albinism
congenital hypopigmentation, or absence of melanin pigment of the body, including the skin, hair, and eyes
allergic contact
abbreviated ACD; an allergy to an ingredient or a chemical, usually caused by repeated skin contact with the chemical
anaerobic
cannot survive in the presence of oxygen
anhidrosis
deficiency in perspiration, often a result of fever or certain skin diseases.
basal cell carcinoma
most common and least severe type of skin cancer, often characterized by light or pearly nodules.
bromhidrosis
foul-smelling perspiration, usually noticeable in the armpits or on the feet, that is caused by bacteria
bulla or bullae
large blister containing a watery fluid; similar to a vesicle but larger.
chloasma
also known as liver spots; condition characterized by hyperpigmentation on the skin in spots that are not elevated.
closed comedo
also known as whitehead; hair follicle is closed and not exposed to the environment; sebum remains a white or cream color and comedone appears as small bump just under the skin suface.
conjunctivites
also known as pinkeye; common bacterial infection of the eyes; extremely contagious
contact dermatitis
an inflammation of the skin caused by having contact with certain chemicals or substances; many of these substances are used in cosmetology
crust
dead cells that form over a wound or blemish while it is healing; an accumulation of sebum and pus, sometimes mixed with epidermal material
cyst
closed, abnormally developed sac that contains fluid, pus, semifluid, or morbid matter above or below the skin
dermatitis
inflammatory condition of the skin
dyschromias
adnormal coloration of the skin that accompany many skin disorders and systemic disorders.
eczema
an inflammatory, uncomfortable, and often chronic disease of the skin, characterized by moderate to severe inflammation, scaling, and sometimes severe itching.
excoriation
skin sore or abrasion produced by scratching or scraping.
extrinsic factors
primarily environmental factors that contribute to aging and the appearance of aging.
fissure
a crack in the skin that penetrates the dermis. examples are severely cracked and/or chapped hands or lips
free radical
unstable molecules that cause biochemical aging, especially wrinkling and sagging of the skin
herpes simplex
recurring viral infection that often presents as a fever blister or cold sore.
hyperhidrosis
excessive sweating, caused by heat or general body weakness.
hyperpigmentation
darker than normal pigmentation, appearing as dark splotches.
hypertrophy
abnormal growth of the skin
hypopigmentation
absence of pigment, resulting in light or white splotches
impetigo
contagious bacterial skin infection characterized by weeping lesions.
intrinsic factors
skin-aging factor over which we have little control
irritant contact dermatitis
abbreviated ICD; occurs when irritating substances temporarily damage the epidermis.
keloid
thick scar resulting from excessive growth of fibrous tissue.
keratoma
acquired, superficial, thickened patch of epidermis. A callus is a keratoma caused by continued, repeated pressure or friction on any part of the skin, especially the hands and feet
lentigines or singular lentigo
technical term for freckles; small yellow-colored to brown-colored spots on skin exposed to sunlight and air
lesion
mark on the skin; may indicate an injury or damage that changes the structure of tissues or organs.
leukoderma
skin disorder characterized by light abnomal patches, hypopigmenation; caused by a burn or congenital disease that destoys the pigment-producing cells.
macule or plural maculae
flat spot or discoloration on the skin, such as a freckle or a red spot left after a pimple has healed.
malignant melanoma
most serious form of skin cancer; often characterized by black or dark brown patches on the skin that may appear uneven in texture, jagged, or raised.
milia
benign, keratin-filled cysts that can appear just under the epidermis and have no visible opening
miliaria ruba
also known as prickly heat; an acute inflammatory disorder of the sweat glands, characterized by the eruption of small red vesicles and accompanied by buring, itching skin.
mole
small, brownish spot or blemish on the skin, ranging in color from pale tan to brown or bluish black.
nevus
also known as birthmark; small or large malformation of the skin due to abnormal pigmentation or dilated capillaries.
nodule
a solid bump larger than 4 inches that can be easily felt
noncomedogenic
product that has been designed and proven not to clog the follicles
primary lesions
lesions that are a different color than the color of the skin, and/or lesions that are raised above the surface of the skin.
psoriasis
skin disease characterized by red patches covered with silver-white scales; usually found on the scalp, elbows, knees, chest, and lower back.
retention hyperkeratosis
the hereditary tendency for acne-prone skin to retain dead cells in the follicle, forming an obstruction that clogs follicles and exacerbates inflammatory acne lesions such as papules and pustules.
rosacea
chronic condition that appears primarily on the cheeks and nose, and is characterized by flushing, redness, telangiectasis, distended or dialted surface blood vessels, and , in some cases, the formation of papules and pustules
scale
any thin dry or oily plate of epidermal flakes. an example is abnoraml or excessive dandruff
scar
also known as cicatrix; a lightly raised mark on the skin formed after an injury or lesion of the skin has healed.
sebaceous cyst
a large protruding pocket-like lesion filled with sebum. sebaceous cysts are frequently seen on the scalp and the back. they should be removed surgically by a dermatologist.
seborrhic dermatitis
skin condition caused by an inflammation of the sebaceous glands. It is often characterized by redness, dry or oily scaling, crusting, and/or itchiness.
secondary skin lesions
characterized by piles of material on the skin surface, such as a crust or scab, or depressions in the skin surface, such as an ulcer.
sensitization
allergic reaction created by repeated exposure to a chemical or a substance.
skin tag
a small brown-colored or flesh-colored outgrowth of the skin
squamous cell carcinoma
type of skin cancer more serious than basal cell carcinoma; often characterized by scaly red papules or nodules
stain
abnormal brown-colored or wine-colored skin discoloration with a circular and/or irregular shape.
tan
change in pigmentation of skin caused by exposure to the sun or ultraviolet light
telangiectasis
distended or dilated surface blood vessels
tubercle
abnormal, rounded, solid lump above, within, or under the skin; larger than a papule
tumor
an abnormal mass varying in size, shape, and color.
ulcer
open lesion on the skin or mucous membrane of the body, accompanied by pus and loss of skin depth and possibly weeping fluids or pus.
verruca
also known as wart; hypertrophy of the papillae and epidermis.
vesicle
small blister or sac containing clear fluid, lying within or just beneath the epidermis.
vitiligo
hereditary condition that causes hypropigmented spots and splotches on the skin; may be related to thyroid conditions
wheal
itchy, swollen lesion that lasts only a few hours; caused by a blow or scratch, the bit of an insect, urticaria, skin allergy, or the sting of a nettle. Examples include hives and mosquito bites.