Age
spots:
Brown spots found on the skin which are visible
evidence of accumulated long term sun damage.
Also called "liver spots."
Collagen:
A fibrous protein found in the connective
tissue that makes skin resistant to stretching.
Dermatologist:
Physician who specializes in diagnosing and
treating diseases and disorders of the skin,
hair, nails and mucous membranes.
Dermis:
The layer of the skin beneath the epidermis.
The dermis is largely fibrous and contains
collagen and elastin - the proteins responsible
for the support and elasticity of the skin.
The dermis also contains tiny sensory nerve
endings and blood vessels.
Elastin:
A network of resilient fibers that enable
skin to snap back when stretched.
Epidermis:
Uppermost layer of the skin. The epidermis
is highly cellular and divided into layers:
the basal (bottom) layer that produces new
cells and contains melanocytes or pigment-producing
cells; a thick prickle cell layer; the granular
cell layer and the stratum corneum or top
layer.
Esthetician:
A qualified skin care specialist trained to
administer beauty treatments for the skin.
Melanin:
A brown pigment produced by pigment producing
skin cells (melanocytes). Increased amount
of melanin pigment results in a tanned hue
following exposure to UV light.
Pigment:
The coloring matter found in the skin.
Retinoic
Acid: Vitamin A acid typically used in
products for the treatment of acne, and certain
signs of photodamage.
Stratum
Corneum: Outermost layer of dead cells
in the epidermis which protects living tissue
from external stimuli and forms a barrier
to keep moisture in.
Sun
Damage/Photodamage: Skin damage and deterioration
- fine wrinkling, brown patches and roughness
- caused by long term effects of everyday
exposure to the sun's harmful ultraviolet
(UV) rays.
Tretinoin:
A synthetic derivative of vitamin A; the active
ingredient in RENOVA® (tretinoin cream),
RETIN-A®
(Tretinoin), and RETIN-A®
MICRO® (tretinoin gel) microsphere
0.1%.
Ultraviolet
A (UVA), Ultraviolet B (UVB): Two types
of solar radiation within the ultraviolet
range that reach the earth's surface, resulting
in photodamage, suntan, sunburn and potentially,
skin cancer.
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