Skin Care Glossary: A - M

Acne is a chronic disorder characterized by excess production of oil from sebaceous glands causing the hair follicles generally on the face, chest and back to become plugged. Pimples, papules, pustules and comedone, (black heads and white heads) cysts and infected abscesses can be treated in acne.

Actinic keratoses are sun induced precancerous lesions that are thin to thick scaly patches of skin on sun exposed areas, backs of hands, arms and face. These can be prevented by wearing sunscreen and protective clothing.

Anesthetics (topical) are creams or gels that cause the skin to become numb or lose sensation to pain or awareness. Ela-Max is a new topical anesthetic when applied for 1 hour before chemical peels, laser treatments and other skin procedures will lessen the pain. Hydrocortisone can also make the skin less sensitive to pain.

Atrophic skin and wrinkles are other names for thin skin that has fine linesis thin and has fine lines. Anti-aging and anti-wrinkle preparations can be used to reduce wrinkles and "thicken" the skin.

Basal cell carcinomas are the most common form of skin cancers that are usually seen as pea size flesh colored pearly lesions that may have small blood vessels running through them. The use of sunscreens and sun protection will help prevent basal cell carcinomas.

Benzoyl peroxide (BP) acts as an antibacterial agent against P. acnes, a bacterium that aggravates acne. Benzoyl peroxide is most effective against inflammatory acne that consists of papules, pustules and cysts. BP causes mild desquamation often with scaliness, peeling and cracking. The drying will not cause wrinkles.  Start with the lower strength (2.5% or 5%) preparations first. The stronger strengths (5% & 10%) can be irritating. A gel is usually more drying and stronger than a lotion or a cream. A BP wash is a good way to start verses a BP gel, lotion or cream. Benzoyl peroxide can bleach the clothing or the sheets.

Biopsy is a surgical procedure to remove a small piece of skin for pathological examination under a microscope. Ela-Max a topical anesthetic can be used 1 hour before a biopsy or other skin procedure to reduce the pain of the injection.

Blister (vesicle, a small blister) is a fluid-filled area of skin. Blisters and vesicles may be seen in contact eczema, hand eczema, and fungal infections. They can also be seen in shingles (herpes zoster) other more unusual blistering disorders.

Boils are tender, swollen areas of infection that usually form around hair follicles.

Candida Infection (commonly called a yeast infection) is a skin infection caused by yeast that can occur in the skin folds, the navel, vagina, penis, mouth, and nail beds. BuySkinCare.com carries both Lamisil and Lotrimin to treat candidal infections.

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin characterized by redness, swelling and tenderness.

Cold sore is a cluster of small blisters on the skin, most frequently around the mouth and lips caused by the herpes simplex virus. Cold sores can be activated by sunlight. Wearing a lip protectant with sunscreen may prevent a cold sore.

Collagen: a protein produced by skin cells that provide strength and resilience to the skin.

Comedones, commonly known as black heads or white heads, occur when a hair follicle becomes plugged with sebum (oil). When the sebum is exposed to the environment it can oxidized and turn black (black heads). When the follicle is closed and not exposed to the environment they are cream colored (white heads). Keratolytic agents (Glycolic acid and salicylic acid) are helpful in treating blackheads and whiteheads seen in acne.

Creams are waterbased products that should easily work into skin. Creams tend to degrade more rapidly than an ointment and are often combined with perfumes or fragrances. Creams are thicker than lotions but are not as thick as Ointments.

Crusts (also called scabs) are formations of dried blood, pus, or other skin fluid over a break in the skin.

Cryosurgery is a surgical technique that uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the skin.

Cryotherapy is a procedure with liquid nitrogen that destroys the top layer of skin by freezing. Cryotherapy is used by dermatologists to treat actinic keratoses and warts.

Cysts are round nodules under the skin that are filled with cheesy contents or fluid.

Dermatitis is a general term for inflammation of the skin often seen as red, scaling, and a vesicular eruption. Specific forms of dermatitis include contact dermatitis, eczema and hand eczema

Elastin is a protein in the dermis that gives the skin its elasticity or stretch. Elastica is a new product containing special peptides that stimulate elastin production.

Folliculitis is an inflammation of the hair follicles due to an infection or irritation.  On the beard it is called folliculitis barbae.  Using a good shaving cream can help reduce this type of folliculitis.

Freckles, Age Spots, Solar Lentigines, Liver Spots are darkened, flat spots that typically appear on sun-exposed areas of skin. These can be lightened by bleaching agents containing hydroquinone or kojic acid. Sunscreens can help prevent freckles.

Fungal Infections, Athelete's foot, jock itch, and ringworm are scaling patches on the skin cause by fungi called dermatophytes. BuySkinCare.com has both Lamisil and Lotrimin for the topical treatment of fungi, dermatophytes and candida.  Zeasorb powder  can also keep the feet dry.

Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid derived from the sugar cane plant that acts as a keratolytic agent (removes the top layers of skin) and opens clogged pores. Glycolic acid has been shown in clinical studies to improve acne and the hyperpigmentation that is present with acne.  Start with the lower strength (2.5% or 5%) preparations first.  Strengths above 5% may be irritating. A gel is usually more drying and stronger than a lotion or a cream.

Herpes zoster (also called shingles): a viral infection in a nerve root, characterized by a painful skin rash with small blisters usually on one side of the body. See your dermatologist as soon as possible to receive anti-viral medications.

Hives, wheals or urticaria are raised welt like swellings on the skin that come and go usually within 24 hours.

Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection characterized by small pus-filled blisters that form honey-yellow crusts. Using an antibacterial soap such as Hebiclens or ointment such as Polysporin can treat early impetigo. See you Dermatologist or physician is symptoms continue.

Keloids are smooth, pink, raised, firm growths on the skin produced by over production of collagen that form when a wound heals.   Keloid treatment suggestions.

Keratosis pilaris is a common skin condition characterized by small, sand size raised bumps on the outside of the upper arms, thighs and bottom. Keratosis pilaris is often seen in people with eczema. Glycolic acid and other alpha-hydroxy acid moisturizers can help smooth this sand paper like skin.

Lipomas are round or oval lumps under the skin caused by fatty deposits. They can be multiple and occur in families.

Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that often arises in a mole. It is curable if diagnosed early but may sometimes be fatal. The use of sunscreen, particularly during childhood can help prevent melanomas. The ABCD's of early melanoma detection are: A-asymmetry (one half of the mole looks different than the other) B-irregular border, C-irregular color, D-diameter greater than the end of an eraser on your pencil.

Melanin are pigment granules in the skin that give skin its color.

Melanocytes are pigment producing cells in the skin. These contain the pigment granules called melanin.

Melasma is symmetrical patches of brown pigment on the face.  Most often seen in females and can be exacerbated by estrogen and sunlight. Sunscreens can help prevent melasma and keep melasma away after treatment. Bleaching creams can help fade melasma.

Moles are small raised skin bumps caused by an increase in the number of pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) in the skin. Moles have a higher incidence of turning into melanomas.  The use of sunscreens particularly during childhood can decrease the incidence of melanomas and other skin cancers.

All products should be used as directed on the product container.  Any product that causes irritation should be discontinued.  The information provided at BuySkinCare.com is not a substitute for a face-to-face consultation with a dermatologist or your physician.

Skin Care Glossary A-M
Skin Care Glossary N-Z