Derm Terms - Alphabetical List of Skin Definitions

Acne:
Localized inflammation of the skin as a result of hyperactive sebaceious glands at the base of the hair follicle.

Actinic:
Regarding changes in the skin caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

Age Spot:
Noticeabley darker brown spots on skin caused by excessive stimulation of skin pigment also known as melanin as a result of sun and environmental factors. 

Anti-inflammatory:
Reducing inflammation by acting on the body's normal responses without directly affecting the cause. 

Collagen:
The major fibers of protein found in connective tissue, cartilage and bone.

Commissures:
Corners or angles of the lips or eye.

Cyst:
A sac containing liquid or semisolid material usually in the dermis.

Cystic Acne:
A form of acne resulting from the bacterial infection of cysts deep within the skin generally requiring treatment with antibiotics. May result in scarring.

Dermal:
Relating to the skin or the dermis.

Dermatitis:
Visible inflammation of the outer layer of skin.

Dermis:
The "middle section" or layer of the skin that contains nerves, blood vessels, oil glands, and hair follicles, providing fundamental structural support.

Eczema:
A skin condition occurring agitated by internal and external agents producing erythema, inflammation, crusting, scaling, dryness, and irritation.

Elastin:
A protein in the middle layer of the skin that helps skin maintain resilience, snap back, and elasticity.

Epidermis:
The outermost layer of the skin.

Epithelialization:
Growth of skin cells.

Erythema:
Redness of the skin brought on by capillary congestion resulting from a variety of reasons.

Fitzpatrick Skin Types:

A scale that divides skin into six different types.

Type I: White skin that never tans and always burns easily.

Type II: White skin that tans slightly and always burns easily.

Type III: Light brown skin that tans gradually and can burn moderately.

Type IV: Moderately brown skin that tans well and burns slightly.

Type V: Dark brown skin that tans profusely and burns rarely.

Type VI: Black skin with deep pigmentation that never burns.

Folds:
Ridges or edges that appear to form when a layer bends back upon itself.

Follicle:
The tiny shaft in the skin through which hair grows, and sebum is excreted from the sebaceous glands to the surface of the skin.

Glabellar Creases (Lines):
Creases in the forehead between the brows. Also called "frown lines."

Hemangiomas:
A reddish-purple birthmark, also known as "port wine stains."

Hyaluronic Acid:
A substance found in the connective tissue of the body that cushions and lubricates. Hyaluronic acid also creates volume in the skin.

Hyper-pigmentation:
A lack of skin color caused by a deficiency of melanin production or a loss of pre-existing melanin or melanocytes.

Inflammatory:
"Causing inflammation," usually used to describe lesions that are inflamed by chemical reactions or bacteria clogged follicles.

Keloid:
Sharply elevated, irregularly shaped, progressively enlarging scar due to formation of excessive amounts of collagen during the healing process.

Keratin:
A protein that is a primary constituent of hair, nails, and skin.

Laugh Lines:
A loss of volume in fatty tissue between the mouth and cheeks that creates fine lines or wrinkles.

Lipid:
Oily substances that include fats, waxes, and oils. Primary ingredients of sebum.

Marionette Lines:
Deep facial lines also known as "oral commissures" going down from either side of the mouth.

Melanin:
Dark brown or black pigment of the skin.

Melanocyte:
Skin cells that synthesize melanin pigment.

Melanoma:
Abnormal skin cell tumor generated from damaged melanocytes.

Melasma:
Dark tan-brown pigmentation, generally located on the forehead, cheeks, and nose associated with pregnancy and oral contraceptives.

Milia:
Hard tiny white skin covered bumps also known as "whiteheads" consisting of a pore trapped with sebum.  Similar to blackhead however not exposed to oxygen.

Nasolabial Folds:
Deep facial furrows or folds that extend from the outer corners of the nose to the corners of the mouth.

Oral Commissures:
Facial lines also known as "marionette lines" that extend down from either side of the mouth.

Oxidation:
The process of oxygen taking up electrons resulting in a loss of efficacy in particular products.

Perioral Lines:
The vertical fine lines above the upper lip also known as "smoker's lines."

Periorbital Lines:
The fine lines and wrinkles also known as "crow's feet” near the outer corners, and around the eyes.

pH:
The value used to indicate acidity and alkalinity. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 7, with 0 indicating potent acidity, 7 indicating a more alkaline reading, and 3.5 being neutral.

Photoaging:
Damage from sun exposure over time, especially skin wrinkles. Pre-testing: Testing done before a procedure to determine if any allergic reactions might occur.

Pigmentation:
The coloration of tone of the skin determined by amount of melanin production.

Post Inflammatory Hyper-pigmentation:
The residual discoloration left after an underlying skin disease or condition has healed.

Psoriasis:
A chronic skin disease characterized by accelerated skin cell turnover resulting in plaque build up and severe skin irritation on skin’s outer surface.

Rosacea:
A chronic skin disorder characterized by chronic inflammation of the cheeks, nose, chin, forehead, and/or eyelids. Often associated with increased redness or acne-like eruptions in these locations of the face.

Rhytid:
A skin wrinkle.

Sebaceous Gland:
Normal gland of the skin which empties an oily secretion into the hair follicle.

Seborrhea:
Increased discharge of sebaceous matter upon the skin.

Seborrheic Dermatitis:
Inflammatory skin rash resulting from hyperactive sebaceious glands in the skin.

Sebum:
A thick substance secreted by the sebaceous gland consisting of fat and cellular debris.

Skin:
The largest organ of the body that functions as the body’s protective covering.

Smile Lines:
Fine lines appearing on the cheeks.

Solar Lentigo:
A spot on the skin resembling a freckle, except that its border is more regular, and it contains more melanin pigment. Also known as "age spots" or "liver spots."

Subcutaneous:
Under the skin.

Sun Protection Factor (SPF):
How many times longer a person wearing sunscreen can stay in the sun before beginning to burn than they would without any sunscreen at all.

Telangiectasia:
Dilated superficial blood vessels, especially of the upper reticular dermal plexus.

UV or Ultraviolet Rays:
An invisible form of radiation found in sunlight that can change and damage skin cells.

Vermillion Border:
The line tracing around and defining the lips where the red or pink pigment border meets the facial skin. Well pronounced lips are refered to as having a nice Cupid's Bow.

Worry Lines:
The horizontal lines that appear in the forehead, also referred to as "brow lines."

Wrinkles:
A ridge on the skin caused by age, fatigue, or other reasons.