Health + Wellness — Skin

Actinic Keratosis Actinic keratosis, also known as solar keratosis, is a skin condition that is the result of years of sun exposure, indoor tanning, and skin damage. It appears as scaly rough patches of skin on the neck, scalp (typically only if bald), hands, forearms, ears, lips, and face. Actinic keratosis may take years to develop; it is usually considered to be pre-cancerous, and can sometimes be cancerous. The condition can develop in people of any skin tone and the scaly, rough patches may be a variety of colors including red, pink, and tan. When it appears on the lips,...

Hyperpigmentation Hyperpigmentation is a darkening of the skin due to an overproduction of melanin. It can be brought on by various injuries to the skin, acne vulgaris, sun damage, and inflammation. It is most common in people with darker skin tones who spend a lot of time in the sun, although anyone with any type of skin tone may develop it. Examples of hyperpigmentation include liver spots, sun spots, age spots, melasma (mask of pregnancy), and freckles. Preventing hyperpigmentation in the first place is preferable, but hyperpigmentation treatment is possible. There are three types of hyperpigmentation: Epidermal Light brown spots,...

Melasma A common skin condition among women, Melasma causes brown, grey, and tan patches on the face, particularly the cheeks, forehead, and chin. It is believed to be caused by daily sun exposure and hormonal events such as pregnancy and hormone treatments. It is a type of hyperpigmentation that causes your body to produce too much pigment. Melasma is also referred to as The Mask of Pregnancy, and Chloasma. The condition generally appears in women between the ages of 20 and 50 (though one in 20 patients are men), and although it isn’t harmful, it can cause embarrassment and distress....

What is Photosensitivity? Photosensitivity is when an individual has an extreme sensitivity to the sun (ultraviolet rays) and other sources of light. This sensitivity can lead to frequent and intense skin rashes and burns. Photosensitivity is also known as sun allergy, or simply as sun sensitivity or sensitivity to the sun. People who have photosensitivity are ultimately more prone to developing skin cancer and other types of skin damage. Photosensitivity treatment is possible, as is avoiding the symptoms of photosensitivity in the first place. Types of photosensitivity: Photoallergic photosensitivity: This is when an individual develops side effects from various medications...

Polymorphous Light Eruption Polymorphous light eruption, or PLE, is the most common skin disease caused by sunlight. It is also called polymorphic light eruption (PMLE). Other variants include juvenile spring eruption and benign summer light eruption. PLE is not the same as sunburn, but may appear as something like a sunburn rash. PLE arises spontaneously in people who are sensitive to ultraviolet light and is characterized as one type of photodermatosis. It usually manifests as an itchy rash—little red bumps or slightly raised patches of skin—after sun exposure in people who are photosensitive. While the rash can take different forms...