Acne marks are small areas of discoloration left on the skin after the acne lesions have healed. They're usually a result of residual inflammation left within the skin. However, some people develop patches of discoloration due to melanin, a...
The dark spots on your face are most likely age spots or solar lentigines. They're a result of sun exposure that stimulates the production of melanin, a compound responsible for pigmentation. As you continually expose the skin to ultraviolet...
Age spots are brownish blemishes that develop on the surface of the skin as a result of sun exposure, according to the Mayo Clinic. When ultraviolet light penetrates the skin, it causes the epidermis to produce additional melanin, which is the...
The treatment options for acne on older skin are similar to those on younger skin. They typically involve a topical medication that helps to control the factors that contribute to this skin condition. This includes reducing bacterial buildup,...
Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid naturally derived from sugar cane. It has a mild exfoliating effect when applied topically and is a common ingredient in rejuvenating skin care products. As an exfoliant, glycolic acid sloughs off the surface...
You'd be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn't appreciate a warm, sunny day. Moreover, soaking up days has actual health benefits, since sunlight boosts vitamin D, according to the Cleveland Clinic. However, too much exposure to the...
It isn't uncommon to experience some wrinkling around the lips as you age. With each passing year, the epidermal layers of your skin start to thin, affecting its elasticity. This causes lines and then wrinkles to form. To help reduce the...
Fingernails and toenails are composed of translucent keratin proteins and various sulfur-containing fibrous proteins, which also form the chemical basis of hair and skin. Healthy nails are consistent in shape and uniform in color. Abnormal color,...
Face abrasion is a form of skin rejuvenation. It's a process of removing the uppermost layer of the skin to allow new epidermal growth. This growth often provides the skin with a smoother, more youthful appearance. It's known to even out...
As you age, it's inevitable that your skin will develop wrinkles. This is largely due to a natural thinning and loss of elasticity in the epidermal layers of your body. However, other elements can also play a significant role in the development of...
Starting as a fashion trend that was accidentally introduced by fashion icon Coco Chanel in the 1920s, tanning is a common pastime practiced in the United States and in many other parts of the world. As with any trend, corporations soon jumped on...
The methods to quickly clear acne involve the use of topical medications containing specific active ingredients. The active ingredients in both prescription and over-the-counter acne creams help to remove dead skin, dry excess oil, kill bacteria...
Your child’s nails provide protection for his fingers and toes as he grows and learns to explore his environment. Although the process of his nail growth does not differ much from adult nail growth, he may need help to properly care for his...
White hair is most commonly associated with old age. Some people hold out longer than others, but most have patches of white by their fifties, according to Coco Ballantyne, writing in Scientific American magazine. It's a natural part of the aging...
Hair is as unique as a person is. It's easy to change the style of hair, but not always so easy to change the texture. According to the Swiss Institute of Bioninformatics, it is actually the structure of keratin, a family of proteins that make...
Shea butter is one of the more common ingredients found in over-the-counter stretch mark creams. Daily use is said to help fade stretch marks over time. However, Shea butter is more of a moisturizer than anything else, since it acts as an...
Almost any department store has at least one cream claiming to fade stretch marks. Many of these products contain shea butter or cocoa butter as an active ingredient. Both are considered emollients, which help to moisturize the skin by replacing...
Flaxseed, also known as linseed, is a blue flowering plant grown on the western Canadian prairies for its rich oils, according to Essortment.com. Some researchers say flaxseed oil is the most important health-promoting supplement, next to a...
The integumentary system is the scientific name for your skin and its accessories, including hair and nails. Your integumentary system provides a physical barrier to injury and infection, it helps you maintain your body temperature and it senses...
All the tissues in your body, including your skin, rely on the presence of a range of vitamins from your diet. Fat-soluble vitamins are dissolved in oils and fats within the food you eat, and are then stored in fatty tissues throughout your body...
Dry skin isn't uncommon as you grow older. With each passing year, it becomes increasingly more difficult for your skin to retain moisture. Heat, cold, harsh soaps, frequent bathing and sun exposure also take their toll on your skin. Formerly...
A common misconception exists in the relationship between acne and diet. Scientific evidence is lacking to support the common belief that certain foods trigger acne lesions. This doesn't necessarily mean that your diet can't influence an acne...
A number of types of bumps can develop on the inside of the eye. More often that not, the bumps are benign and not cause for alarm. The most common bumps are styes, but these inflamed oil glands are red in color and quite tender to the touch. A...
Skin discoloration is often a result of excess melanin, a compound responsible for your pigmentation. Age spots, melasma, chloasma and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation all result from an increase in the production of this compound. For any...
These days, there is no short supply of creams that treat acne. The Mayo Clinic explains that these products basically work in a number of different ways. Some creams reduce the production of oil from the sebaceous glands. Others encourage...
The National Institutes of Health characterize stretch marks as irregular areas of the skin. Medically known as striae, they typically develop as a result of rapid or excessive weight gain, but some people can suffer from stretch marks due to...
The red blotches on the hand are likely caused by contact dermatitis, a form of skin inflammation resulting from direct contact with irritants or allergens. Your skin can begin to recognize certain substances as either an irritant or an allergen....
Wounds can exist as small as a scratch to a large gaping area down to a bone or organ like the intestines. Consequently, any opening in the top layer of skin constitutes a wound. A wound bed constantly changes to repair the exposed injured tissue....
Potassium hydroxide, also known as potassium hydrate and caustic potash, is a strong alkaline chemical available in pellets and flakes. With the chemical formula KOH, potassium hydroxide is one of the compounds people call lye. Potassium hydroxide...
