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Lichen planus is an inflammatory condition that can affect the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes (such as the mouth and genital region). On the skin, it presents as small, pink to purple, itchy, flat-topped papules. Though the rash can appear anywhere (including on the genital skin), favored sites

Lice are tiny insects that live on human hair and clothing fibers and can be seen with the naked eye. These tiny bugs attach to the hair and feed on human blood, causing intense itching in the affected areas. People can suffer from 3 different types of infestation: head lice (pediculosis capitis), body

Lentigo is a benign skin growth that resembles a freckle. It is usually a tan or brown spot that is flat or slightly raised. It can vary in size and shape and can occur as a singular lesion or as multiple lesions (lentigines). Lentigines have been classified into several types depending on their characteristics,

Laser therapy is a broad term that describes treatments that use a single wavelength of light to target specific cells in the skin. The light energy is converted to heat energy, resulting in damage to the targeted cells and also triggering the skin’s repair mechanism, thereby stimulating collagen production.

Laser skin resurfacing are cosmetic laser treatment commonly used to treat fine lines and wrinkles, sun-damaged skin, and scars. The procedure can be further subclassified into 2 categories: ablative and non-ablative. Ablative lasers are more invasive. In this procedure, a highly concentrated beam of

Keloids are thick, firm, hard growths due to excessive scar tissue formation. They differ from ordinary scars and hypertrophic scars in that the scar tissue extends and spreads beyond the original wound margin. Rarely, these growths can occur spontaneously, even without any preceding skin injury. Keloids

Intense pulsed light therapy is a non-invasive, non-laser therapy that uses high intensity pulses of visible light to achieve skin rejuvenation. IPL delivers light energy which is converted into heat energy, resulting in damage to targeted cells in the skin. The damage also stimulates new collagen production.

An infantile hemangioma is a kind of vascular tumor made up of blood vessels, commonly called 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 a bluish

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,

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,

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

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

Frontal fibrosing alopecia is a relatively new hair loss condition first described in the 1990s. Though initially considered a rare condition, frontal fibrosing alopecia has become increasingly familiar, with the reported incidence increasing worldwide. The cause remains unknown. Classically, it affects

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

Dyshidrotic eczema is a form of eczema that manifests as intensely itchy blisters that develop on the sides of the fingers, toes, palms, or soles. It can be caused by atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, or an id reaction (reaction to a skin infection or skin rash at another site). The condition is

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

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

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 ingestion of gluten found in wheat. It can also occur with celiac disease and has been associated with thyroid disease. The

Dermaplaning is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure where a small blade removes 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 on

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 are round or dome shaped, nodules or lumps on or underneath the skin. The overlying skin can be unchanged or have a small opening or punctum. They

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

Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) is a scarring alopecia - a condition that leads to the 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

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 keloidalis nuchae is a chronic inflammatory condition that 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 form