Acanthosis nigricans presents as a darkening and velvety thickening of the skin, most commonly affecting the neck, armpits, and groin region. It is most commonly associated with obesity and insulin resistance; people who have acanthosis nigricans are more likely to develop diabetes. In very rare instances,

Acne is a common skin condition caused by the blockage of hair follicles by sebum (oil), dead skin cells, and bacteria. The blocked pores lead to whiteheads, blackheads, inflammatory papules or nodules (red, tender bumps), pustules (pus-filled bumps), and even cysts. Acne breakouts can occur at any age

Acne keloidalis nuchae is a chronic inflammatory condition which affects mainly Black men. Affected individuals develop pink to flesh colored, dome shaped papules and pustules around the hair follicles on the posterior scalp and neck. These firm, scar-like bumps can gradually enlarge and coalesce to

Actinic keratoses are precancerous growths on the skin caused by long term exposure to ultraviolet radiation, usually in the form of sunlight or tanning beds. They frequently appear on sun exposure areas such as the scalp, face, back of the hands, and forearms, and are characterized by rough, dry lesions

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition where the body’s own immune system targets and shuts off hair production in the hair follicles, leading to characteristic circular, coin shaped patches of hair loss. The hair loss can affect any hair bearing areas of the body including the scalp, eyebrows,

Atopic dermatitis is the most common form of eczema. It is a chronic, recurring rash characterized by dry, inflamed skin, and intense itching. Children are most commonly affected, but the condition can occur at any age. In infants, the rash most typically involves the cheeks. In young children, the creases

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer and the most frequently occurring form of all cancers. It typically occurs on sun-exposed areas such as the scalp, face, nose, ears, neck, chest, shoulders, or back. It can present as a non-healing sore, a shiny or pearly bump, or even a pink,

A boil, also known as a furuncle, is a painful, pus-filled bump that results from a bacterial infection of the hair follicle. It is a common skin infection, typically caused by a bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus. The infection usually starts as a tender, pinkish-red, bump which fills with pus- becoming

Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune skin condition. Affected individuals complain of significant itching and can develop an eczema-like rash, a hive-like rash, or large, fluid-filled blisters on the skin. Common areas of involvement include the groin, axillae (armpits), trunk, thighs, and forearms. The

Candidiasis is an infection caused by the yeast Candida. Candida skin infections (cutaneous candidiasis) can occur at any site, but tends to favor warm, damp environments such as the skin folds and the groin region. Candida infections can also occur in the mouth (oral thrush) and in or around the nails

Cellulite is an extremely common condition affecting most women. It refers to the “cottage-cheese,” dimpled appearance commonly seen on the buttocks, thighs, and hips. Cellulite occurs when the fibrous bands that connect the skin to the muscle tighten irregularly. The tightening pulls down on the

Cellulitis is a common bacterial infection of the deeper structures of the skin. The infection presents as a focal area of redness, swelling, and pain which is warm to the touch. These skin findings can be accompanied with fevers, chills, fatigue, and malaise. Cellulitis can affect any part of the body,

Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) is a scarring alopecia - a condition which leads to destruction of the hair follicle and permanent hair loss. It predominantly affects middle aged Black women. Affected individuals experience a gradually expanding, circular area of hair loss that starts

Chemical peels are cosmetic procedures that use various chemical solutions to exfoliate or peel away the outer layer of the skin. They are commonly used to treat fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone, skin discoloration, dull complexion, age spots, or sun damaged skin. Typically, chemical peels are

Cherry angiomas are benign, non worrisome, vascular growths which typically appear in adults over the age of 30. These blood vessel growths can range in color from pink to red to purple. They can range in size from pinhead sized to 1cm in diameter. Most commonly, they appear as red, dome shaped papules

Contact dermatitis is a form of eczema that develops after the skin comes in contact with a substance that acts as an irritant or allergen. The affected areas become red, inflamed, and itchy. Swelling, blistering, crusting, and oozing can also occur. Irritant contact dermatitis is the more common type,

Cysts are one of the most common benign skin growths. A cyst consists of a sac or enclosed capsule filled with fluid or semisolid material. Typically, they present as round or dome shaped, nodules or lumps on or underneath the skin. The overlying skin can be unchanged or can have a small opening or punctum.

Dermaplaning is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure where a small blade is used to remove the outermost layer of skin and fine hairs on the face. As such, the procedure provides both exfoliation and hair removal yielding a brighter complexion and softer, smoother skin. Disclaimer: The information

Dermatitis herpetiformis is an autoimmune skin disease that causes recurrent, intensely itchy blisters to form on the elbows, knees, back, buttocks, and/or scalp. It is linked to the ingestion of gluten found in wheat. It can also occur with celiac disease and has been associated with thyroid disease.

Dermatofibromas are common, benign skin growths most typically found on legs of women. They present as a pinkish brown, firm, scar-like bump. Sometimes, their appearance is attributed to a preceding insect bite, ingrown hair, or other minor injury or trauma. As the skin growths are harmless, no treatment

Dermatomyositis is a rare disease that causes a skin rash and muscle weakness. The skin rash can present reddish to purplish, dusky discoloration and swelling of the eyelids, particularly the upper eyelids (heliotrope rash). A red rash may also appear on the chest, shoulder, neck or back. Affected individuals

Eczema refers to a group of conditions characterized by dry, inflamed, and itchy skin. The most common kind of eczema is atopic dermatitis. Other forms of eczema include contact dermatitis, irritant dermatitis, nummular dermatitis, and dyshidrotic eczema. The term eczema is often used by people to refer

Female pattern hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is the female counterpart of the more widely recognized male pattern hair loss. Unlike men who present with a receding hairline and hair loss on the top and front, female pattern hair loss presents with widening of the part line which can

Fillers (examples: Belotero, Juvederm, Radiesse, Restylane, Sculptra, Voluma) are injectable treatments that help diminish the signs of aging. Fillers are composed of soft, gel-like substances that can either be synthetic or naturally occurring in nature. They can be temporary (absorbable) or permanent

Folliculitis is the medical term for inflammation of a hair follicle. It typically presents as pink bumps or pustules (pus filled bumps) centered around a hair follicle. The condition can appear anywhere on the body where there are hairs, including on the face, chest, back, buttocks, and/or legs. The

Frontal fibrosing alopecia is a relatively new hair loss condition that was first described in the 1990s. Though initially thought of as a rare condition, frontal fibrosing alopecia has become increasingly more common with the reported incidence increasing worldwide. The cause remains unknown. Classically,

Gential herpes is a sexually transmitted infection caused by an infection with the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of the herpes simplex virus- herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Either type can cause genital herpes, but HSV-2 is responsible for

Granuloma annulare is a harmless type of skin rash that often presents with ring-shaped lesions. Although the condition can appear anywhere on the skin, favored sites are the hands, feet, elbows, and ankles. It is typically found in children, teenagers, and young adults. Granuloma annulare is more prevalent

Our body is continually growing new hair. As new hair grows, the old hair is shed. It is normal for an individual to shed or lose between 50 to 100 hairs a day. Hair loss occurs when there is excessive shedding (beyond the typical 50-100 hairs a day) or when the hair follicles become dormant or destroyed,

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory condition which presents with deep, painful nodules or lumps under the skin. The painful nodules can rupture, leading to drainage of pus and blood. Over time, the painful nodules can connect, forming tunnels under the skin. The condition often results

Topical retinoids are available in many over the counter skin care products as well as prescription strength medications. They work to treat a variety of skin care problems ranging from fine lines and wrinkles to acne breakouts and psoriasis. Common side effects of using topical retinoids include: dryness,

Hyperhidrosis is another name for excessive sweating. It is classified as either primary or secondary. Primary hyperhidrosis is usually inherited and begins in childhood or adolescence. The excessive sweating is typically symmetrical and localized to a specific area such as the armpits, palms, soles,

A hypertrophic scar is a thickened, raised, oftentimes pink or red scar. Hypertrophic scars can be symptomatic - causing burning, itching, or discomfort. These thickened, raised scars are more likely to occur in areas where there is significant tension on a healing wound; examples include the back, chest,

Impetigo is a common bacterial skin infection that typically affects young children. It is most often caused by a bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. Affected individuals present with sores that break open leading to honey-colored crusts and scabs. Though lesions can be found

An infantile hemangioma is a kind of vascular tumor made up of blood vessels, commonly referred to as a “strawberry birthmark.” The vascular tumor can be superficial (growing on the skin surface), appearing as a bright red, bumpy, lesion. It can also be deep (growing under the skin), presenting as