Acne:
Acne is a disorder resulting from the action of hormones on the skin's oil glands (sebaceous glands), which leads to clogged pores and outbreaks of lesions commonly called pimples. Acne lesions can occur on the face, neck, back, chest, buttocks and shoulders. While not a serious health threat, severe acne can lead to disfigurement and permanent scarring. Acne can also cause mild-severe emotional instability because of low self-esteem.
Age spots:
Benign flat spots evenly colored with darker pigment that occur on sun-exposed skin (as of the hands) especially of persons aged 50 and over called also lentigo senilis, liver spots.
Bumps:
In general are described as isolated areas of infection that can result from hormones and/or skin irritation. These bumps are common to these areas of the body: face, chest, back, buttocks, shoulders, beard, bikini, and the nape of the neck.
Bumps on the Back of the Neck:
(Acne Keloidalis) A large number of men contend with a problem known as neck or scalp bumps. These itchy bumps can form scar tissue (a.k.a., keloids). If left untreated, this can become a chronic problem. It is a result of skin irritation, not contamination by clippers
Combination Skin:
Facial skin where certain areas are oily and others are not. Typically, oil gathers in the T-zone—the forehead, cheeks, nose and chin. This area is more likely to have excess oil due to larger, more active oil glands. The area around the eyes, corner of the nose, around the mouth and jaw area tends to be normal or even dry due to fewer and smaller oil glands. People with combination skin may find their concerns over oiliness and dryness can change based on the skincare and cosmetics products they use, and also with the change of seasons. In winter, normal or dry areas may become rough or flaky. In summer, the T-zone may become especially oily and shiny.
Dark Spots
Two things could have occurred to cause a dark spot or darker area. The first may be a lot of dry, dull, dark dead skin cells piled up on that area. The second can be that your skin is reacting to some sort of insult, injury or disease. Ethnic skin normally heals by producing dark spots.
Dermis:
The layer of the skin beneath the epidermis. The dermis is largely fibrous and contains collagen and elastin the proteins responsible for the support and elasticity of the skin. The dermis also contains oil glands, sweat glands and sensory nerve endings and blood vessels.
Discoloration:
People with darker skin tones often experience hyperpigmentation (a.k.a., discoloration or dark spots). This darkening of the skin results from a variety of causes; such as, acne, insect bites, itchy rashes, abrasions, or over exposure to the sun. Typical problem areas for discoloration are the sun-exposed areas, dry skin areas, joints (i.e., knees, elbows, etc.) and eyes. Skin discoloration can also occur as a result of constant contact/irritation in these high friction areas.
Dry Skin:
Asteatosis, otherwise known as dry skin, is a skin irritation caused by a lack of moisture in the skin. It usually has a rough, flaky, or chapped appearance and can be itchy and easily irritated. Many factors can contribute to dry skin including genetics, weather and excessive bathing. Dry skin is most likely to occur during the winter months due to the cold, dry environment of an artificially heated home or office contributes to this condition. Dry skin may also become more of a problem as the skin ages and loses its ability to hold its moisture content. Ethnic skin tends to look ashy as dry skin cells are lifted above the skin by the air.
Elastin:
A network of resilient fibers that enable skin to snap back when stretched.
Epidermis:
Uppermost layer of the skin. The epidermis is highly cellular and divided into layers: the basal (bottom) layer that produces new cells and contains melanocytes or pigment-producing cells; the stratum corneum or top layer provides first defense of protection and H 2O balance to the body.
Esthetician:
A qualified skin care specialist trained to administer skin care treatment utilizing the proper techniques for cleansing and revitalizing the skin.
Melanin:
A brown pigment produced by pigment producing skin cells (melanocytes). Increased amount of melanin pigment results in a tanned hue following exposure to UV light. Ethnic skin tends to darken (high melanin) or lighten (low melanin) caused by some insult, injury, or disease to skin.
Oily Skin:
Oily shiny skin is most common in the T-zone—the forehead, nose and chin—although some people have oily skin over their entire face. The T-zone is more likely to produce excess oil than any other area of the face due to larger, more active oil glands. Your age and your genes can impact how oily your skin is. Increased hormonal activity, especially during adolescence, can also lead to increased oil production.
Salicylic Acid:
Salicylic Acid is a beta hydroxyl acid derived from the bark of the willow tree. Beta hydroxyl acids have a larger molecule than their cousin, alpha hydroxyl acids. The larger molecule size keeps the beta hydroxyl acid on the surface of the skin allowing it to more effectively penetrate and help unclog the closed pores. This action within the pores makes it ideal for use on acne and acne-prone skin.