Keratin is a hard protein you find in hair, skin and nail cells. In fact it is the “most abundant structural protein in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells,” according to the Coulombe Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University. Epithelial...
Pap tests, done every three years as a preventative measure in women 21 years old or younger, depending on when they became sexually active, diagnose early cancers or cellular changes that might become cancerous. Cells scraped from the cervix's...
Dark marks on your underarms can make you feel self-conscious to raise your arms, wear tank tops or freely wear summer attire. As distressing as they are, these marks are common. Causes range from fungal infections, skin disorders to shaving and...
Dark elbows can be unsightly and embarrassing, but a few simple steps can usually return your dark elbows to their normal condition. If the problem persists, or if your elbows are dry and cracked, see your physician for a diagnosis. You may have...
The rooibos bush is a South African shrub that has flat leaves and yellow flowers. The leaves are often dried and used to make a caffeine-free herbal tea that is now widely available in health food stores. While the evidence of this beverage's...
With proper maintenance, African American hair can be strong, healthy and grow to extraordinary lengths. There are different types of curly African American hair, including wavy curly, curly kinky and nappy, reports the Naturally Curly website....
Keratin is a protein that is found naturally in hair, nails, teeth and skin. Several types of keratins work together to make strong, tough fibrous proteins. For instance, keratin 5 works with keratin 14 to support elasticity and flexibility in the...
The pap smear is a laboratory test that is performed on cervical cells to determine whether cellular changes are present. These changes can indicate a precancerous condition or the presence of cancer in the female reproductive tract....
Healthy hair and skin can reflect your inner health. When you take care of your body, it responds in kind by growing strong, shiny hair and showing clear, glowing skin. "You are what you eat" could not be truer. The nutrients you take in go to...
During menopause a woman may begin to lose her hair due to changing hormones, particularly a rise of androgen. Menopausal hair, or female pattern baldness, is different from male pattern baldness, in that the hairline does not recede but the hair...
Ingrown hairs are hairs which curl and penetrate the skin, causing inflammation. According to the University of Virginia Health System, ingrown hairs most commonly occur on the face, and people with curly hair are more susceptible to the...
Keratosis is a disease characterized by an overgrowth of horny tissue or tissue containing a protein called keratin. There are several different types of keratosis with varying degrees of severity including actinic keratosis, keratosis pilaris,...
Many people are familiar with some of the physiologic changes that take place in the body during pregnancy. Stories about morning sickness, backaches and weight gain are well-documented. Other body symptoms associated with pregnancy are not as...
Pap smears are generally done as part of a routine gynecological exam. With this test some of the cells on the surface of the cervix are removed using a swab and later examined using a microscope. This test looks for abnormal cells which could...
Skin is the largest organ of the human body, and is subject to the harsh abuse of pollution, ultra-violet rays, heat, humidity, coldness and dryness. When skin interacts with any of these elements, it takes its toll on the skin's firmness. Age...
When a hair is waxed, sugared, tweezed or shaved below the surface of the skin, the hair may grow through the wall of the follicle instead of growing up out of the follicle. This is considered a deep ingrown hair, or embedded hair. Deep ingrown...
Acute poisoning from arsenic typically begins with a taste of metal and an odor similar to garlic on the victim's breath. It may also cause a dry mouth and difficulty swallowing. If you work around arsenic or you suspect that arsenic poisoning is...
A corn is a spot on the foot made of skin that has thickened as a response to pressure. Though the skin buildup is the body's way of protecting itself, when it goes on too long, the resulting corn can be painful. When the problem is serious enough...
The graceful movements of ballet dancers are often bought at the expense of their feet. Ballerinas frequently refer to "dancer's feet" as the cost of years spent on their toes. Corns on the bottom of the feet are among the most common...
Acne is a condition involving the formation of pimples on the skin, generally on areas such as the face, back or shoulders. There are many natural remedies for acne, including topical treatments, herbal and nutritional supplements and...
The pap smear is a laboratory test that's used to analyze a sample of cervical cells to check for abnormalities. Several abnormal pap test causes can cause concern. If a repeat pap test shows the same abnormalities, other diagnostic testing may be...
The skin is the largest organ of the body and provides protection against infection and injury, stores water and fat and regulates body temperature. It also produces melanin, a pigment that offers protection from ultraviolet rays. Some vitamins...
Approximately one in 32--or 8.4 million--people in the United States suffer from a dry skin condition, according to CureResearch. Since your skin is the largest organ of your body, suffering from dry skin can lead to uncomfortable sensations of...
There are numerous skin conditions and age-related factors that could cause small, red bumps on your arms; therefore, you should consult a physician or dermatologist to rule out any serious diseases, drug reactions or allergies. One common genetic...
Squamous cell carcinoma is a malignant tumor of squamous epithelium. Squamous epithelium is a tissue that lines most surfaces of the body both externally, such as the skin, and internally where it lines many organs. Squamous epithelium has a...
Pap smears are often performed as part of a routine gynecological examination. This screening test allows gynecologists to detect abnormal cells that can be indicative of cervical cancer or cervical dysplasia, which is a precancerous condition....
Acne lesions are either inflammatory -- containing bacteria -- or non-inflammatory, meaning they do not contain bacteria. Examples of non-inflammatory lesions are blackheads and whiteheads. Whiteheads are raised bumps characterized by a white head...
If you are involved in the quest for younger, smoother skin, you most likely have heard of alpha hydroxy acids. They have been clinically tested and found to reduce the appearance of fine lines in your skin. AHAs are popular additives to many...
