Milady Cosmetology Chapter 4: Skin Disorders and Diseases

Acne

Skin disorder characterized by chronic inflammation of the sebaceous glands from retained secretions and bacteria. Aka. acne vulgaris

Albanism

Congenital hypopigmentation, a rare genetic condition characterized by absence of melanin pigment in the body, including the hair, skin, and eyes.

Allergic contact dermatitis

An allergy to an ingredient or a chemical, usually caused by repeated skin contact with a chemical. Abbreviated ACD

Anaerobic

Cannot survive in the presence of oxygen

Anhidrosis

Deficiency in perspiration or the inability to sweat. Often a result of damage to autonomic nerves

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. Generally caused by bacteria.

Bulla

Large blister containing a watery fluid. Similar to a vesicle. Requires medical referral.

Chloasma

A condition characterized by hyperpigmentation in spots that are not elevated and is generally caused by cumulative sun exposure or aging. Similar to melasma.

Cicatrix

Lightly raised mark on the skin formed after an injury or skin lesion has healed. Aka. scar.

Conjunctivitis

Infection of the eye(s) that may be caused by bacteria or virus. Can be extremely contagious. Aka. Pinkeye

Contact dermatitis

Inflammation of the skin caused by having contact with certain chemicals or substances.

Crust

Dead cells that form over a wound or blemish while healing. Accumulation of sebum, and pus, sometimes mixed with epidermal cells

Cyst

Closed, irregularly developed sac that contains fluid, pus, semifluid, or morbid matter above or below the skin. Requires medical referral.

Dermatitis

Inflammatory skin condition

Eczema

Uncomfortable inflammatory disease of the skin that is often chronic. Characterized by moderate to severe inflammation, scaling, and sometimes severe itching.

Epidermoid cyst

Large, protruding, pocket-like lesion filled with keratin. Frequently seen on the scalp and back. Aka. Sebaceous cyst

Excoriation

Skin sore or abrasion produces by scratching or scraping.

Extrinsic factors

Environmental factors that contribute to aging and skin aging

Fissure

Crack in the skin that penetrates the dermis, examples include severely cracked and/or chapped hands and lips.

Free radicals

Unstable molecules that cause biochemical aging, especially wrinkling and skin sagging.

Herpes simplex I

Recurring viral infection that presents as a fever blister or cold sore

Hyperhidrosis

Excessive sweating caused by heat or general body weakness

Hyperpigmentation

Overproduction of pigment. Appears as dark splotches

Hypertrophy

Irregular growth of the skin

Hypopigmentation

Lack of pigment that results in light or white splotches

Impetigo

Contagious bacterial skin infection characterized by weeping lesions; usually caused by a Staphylococcus bacteria

Intrinsic factors

skin-aging factors over which there is little control

Irratant contact dermatitis

Occurs when irritating substances temporarily damage the epidermis

Keloid

Thick scar resulting from excessive growth of the fibrous tissue

Keratoma

Acquired superficial thickened patch of epidermis. A callus

Lentigines

Technical term for freckles — small yellow to brown spots on skin exposed to sunlight and air. Singular: lentigo

Lesions

Marks on the skin. May indicate an injury or damage that changes the structure of tissues or organs.

Leukoderma

Skin disorder characterized by light or white irregular patches (hypopigmentation). Caused by a burn, scar, inflammation, or congenital disease.

Macule

Flat spot or discoloration, such as a freckle or “liver” spot, age spot. Plural: maculae

Malignant melanoma

Most serious form of skin cancer. Often characterized by black or dark brown patches that are uneven, jagged, or raised.

Melasma

A form of hyperpigmentation that is characterized by bilateral patches of brown pigmentation on the cheeks, jawline, forehead, and upper lip due to hormonal imbalances such as pregnancy or birth control pills. Aka. Pregnancy mask.

Milia

Benign, keratin-filled cysts that appear just under the epidermis with no visible opening.

Miliaria rubra

Actute inflammatory disorder of the sweat glands characterized by the epuption of small red vesicles accompanied by burning and itching. Aka. Prickly heat

Mole

Small spot or blemish on the skin ranging in color from pale tan to brown or blueish black

Nevus

Malformation of the skin due to irregular pigmentation or dilated capillaries. Aka. birthmark.

Nodule

Solid bump on the skin larger than 0.4in that can be easily felt.

Noncomedogenic

Product that has been designed and proven to not clog the follicles

Papule

Small skin elevation that contains no fluid but may develop pus

Primary lesion

Lesions that are a different color than the color of the skin and/or raised above the surface of the skin

Psoriasis

Skin disease characterized by red patches covered with silver-white scales. Usually found on the scalp, elbow, knees, chest, and lower back.

Pustule

Raised, inflamed papule with a white or yellow center containing pus in the top of the lesion

Retention hyperkeratosis

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 pastules and pustules.

Rosacea

Chronic condition that appears primarily on the cheeks and nose. Characterized by flushing, telangiectasia, and in some cases formation of papules and pustules. Formally called acne rosacea.

Scale

Any thin, dry or oily plate of epidermal flakes. An example is irregular or excessive dandruff

Secondary skin lesions

Characterized by accumulation of material on the skin surface, such as a crust or scab, or by depressions in the skin surface such as an ulcer.

Sensitization

Allergic reaction created by repeated exposure to a chemical or subtance

Skin tag

Small brown or flesh-colored outgrowth of skin

Squamous cell carcinoma

Skin cancer more serious than basal cell carcinoma. Often characterized by scaly red papules or nodules. Can spread to other parts of the body

Stain

Irregular brown 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

Telengiectasia

Condition involving visible capillaries 0.02 to 0.04in in diameter commonly found on the face, particularly around the nose, cheeks, and chin

Tubercule

Closed, irregularly developed sac that contains pus, semifluid, or morbid matter, above or below the skin. Cannot be drained.

Tumor

Any type of irregular 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

Hypertrophy of the papillae and epidermis. Caused by a virus. Aka. Wart

Vesicle

Small blister or sac containing clear fluid, lying within or beneath the epidermis

Vitiligo

Hereditary condition that causes hypopigmented spots and splotches of the skin

wheal

Itchy, swollen lesion caused by a blow or scratch, insect bite, or urticaria (skin allergy). Ex. Hives or mosquito bites

ABCDE of melanoma detection

Asymmetry, border irregularity, color, diameter, evolution

Grade 1 acne

Minor breakouts, mostly open comedones, some closed comedones and a few papules

Grade 2 acne

Many closed comedones, more open comedones, and occasional papules and pustules

Grade 3 acne

Red and inflamed. Many comedones, papules and pustules

Grade 4 acne

Cystic acne. Cysts with comedones, papules, pustules, and inflammation. Scar formation from tissue damage is common

Types of hypertrophies

Keratoma, mole, skin tag, psoriasis, verruca

Types of skin inflammations

Dermatitis, eczema

Types of skin infection

Conjunctivitis, impetigo, herpes simplex I