Actinic keratosis

-a precancerous condition of thick, scaly patches of skin

Age spots

-also called liver spots, lentigo simplex and senile lentigines, these flat, gray, brown or black spots affect more than 90 percent of fair-skinned people after age 50. They range from freckle-size to a few inches across. They're most common on the face and the backs of the hands - areas most exposed to the sun. They may darken with sun exposure. True age spots never become cancerous and don't need treatment. However, they can look like cancerous growths. For cosmetic reasons they can be lightened with skin-bleaching products or removed. One can help prevent new spots by avoiding the sun and using sunscreen.

Botox

- a purified and weakened form of the same toxin that can cause botulism. Injected under the skin, the toxin can temporarily weaken or paralyze small facial muscles, decreasing frown furrows and laugh and squint lines. The procedure must be repeated every 3 to 6 months. Side effects are rare. In another promising new technique, small, synthetic fibers are injected into your skin to stimulate the growth of collagen at the site.

CafE au Lait Spots

- “Age spots” or “liver spots” which are directly related to sun exposure and have nothing to do with either age or the liver.

Cherry Hemangiomas

- small red dots that appear as we get older; they are completely harmless and may be hereditary. They often appear on the face, chest and back, although they can appear anywhere.

Collagen

- a fibrous insoluble protein found in the connective tissue, including skin, bone, ligaments, and cartilage that keeps your skin taut. Collagen represents about 30% of the total body protein.

Collagen Regeneration

- the process whereby the human body produces more collagen and replaces old, worn down collagen secondary to sun damage and aging. Heating of the dermis results in the body regenerating its own collagen.

Dermis

The dermis, which lies under the epidermis, makes up about 90 percent of the thickness of your skin. It contains a dense meshwork of collagen and elastin fibers, two types of protein. This meshwork supports lymph and blood vessels, nerves, muscle cells, sweat and sebaceous glands and hair follicles. Collagen and elastin fibers give your skin its strength and elasticity. Sebaceous glands produce an oily substance called sebum, which keeps your skin smooth and moist.

Epidermis

The skin's outer layer, the epidermis, is a robust and resilient structure and is as thin as a pencil line. It provides a protective layer of skin cells, which are continually shed. The very outer surface is made up of dead skin cells and functions as a physical barrier to protect the deeper dermis, retaining the skin's hydration. Squamous cells lie just below the outer surface. Basal cells, which produce new skin cells, are at the bottom of the epidermis. The epidermis also contains cells (melanocytes) responsible for producing the pigment melanin. The amount of melanin in the skin determines the skin color.

Erythema

- diffuse redness over the skin caused by capillary congestion, usually due to dilatation of the superficial capillaries as a result of some nervous mechanism within the body, inflammation, or some external influence such as heat, exposure to sunlight, or cold.

Description of the various types of skin as it relates to pigmentation.

• Type I- Very white or freckled, always burns
• Type II- White, usually burns, tans less than average (with difficulty)
• Type III- White to olive, sometimes mild burn, tans about average
• Type IV- Brown, rarely burns, above average - black
• Type V- Dark, very rarely burns, risk of pigmentation is common
• Type VI- Black, never burns, risk of pigmentation very common

Folliculitis

- inflammation of a follicle or follicles

Hair growth cycles

Hair grows in cycles called anagen, catagen and telagen. The cycles are defined as:

• Anagen - hair cells actively dividing, lengthening the hair shaft; known as the growing stage
• Catagen - period between anagen and telagen cycles (transitional or breakdown stage)
• Telogen - dormant stage where hair is not growing

Hyperpigmentation

- localized increase in skin pigment

Hypopigmentation

- localized decrease in skin pigment

Non-ablative Skin Rejuvenation

- non-invasive treatment to reduce the signs of aging; does not require the removal of surface tissue to accomplish collagen regeneration, wrinkle reduction and a more youthful appearance.

Non-invasive

- devices or procedures which do not require entering the body or puncturing the skin.

Permanent Hair Reduction

- reduction in hair count lasting 12 months or longer.

Photoaging

- Skin damage caused by the sun.

Rhytides

- wrinkles

Rosacea

- common skin condition that causes redness and swelling on the face. Often referred to as “adult acne,” rosacea may begin as a tendency to flush or blush easily, and progress to persistent redness in the center of the face that may gradually involve the cheeks, forehead, chin and nose. It also may involve the ears, chest and back. As the disease progresses, small blood vessels and tiny pimples, some of which contain pus, begin to appear on and around the reddened area; however, unlike acne, there are no blackheads. In more advanced cases of rosacea, a condition called rhinophyme may develop. The oil glands enlarge causing a bulbous, enlarged red nose and puffy cheeks. Thick bumps can develop on the lower half of the nose and nearby cheeks.

Spider Veins

- a branched growth of dilated capillaries on the skin resembling a spider. Linear and “spider” telangiectasias develop on the legs, especially in women beginning in the second to third decade, secondary to multiple factors including genetic predisposition, gravity, pregnancy, and trauma.

Telangiectasias

Telangiectasias are red dilated, broken blood vessels, commonly seen on the face or thigh. They develop secondary to genetic predisposition, chronic actinic damage, collagen vascular disease, topical steroid application, and disorders of vascular regulation including acne rosacea. Linear and “spider” telangiectasias develop on the legs, especially in women beginning in the second to third decade, secondary to multiple factors including genetic predisposition, gravity, pregnancy, and trauma.

Wrinkles

- With aging, the skin becomes thinner. Oil-producing glands become less active, and skin becomes drier (which is why moisturizing is one of the best things one can do). The number of blood vessels in the skin decreases, and the dermis, which lies right under the top layer of the skin, thins and becomes more fragile. The skin replaces old cells more slowly, and cells repair themselves less effectively. Collagen and elastin, two fibrous proteins that keep skin taut, start to diminish, contributing to wrinkling and sagging.