Glossary

AcneAcne is an inflammatory disease of the skin, caused by clogged sebaceous glands which result in pimples/pustules, extremely common in adolescence. Click here for more information is an inflammatory disease of the skin, caused by clogged sebaceous glands which result in pimples/pustules, extremely common in adolescence. Click here for more information

Actinic KeratosesActinic Keratoses are collections of abnormal skin cells found in the upper layers of skin that develop after prolonged exposure to sun light. AKs are precancerous lesions. Click here for more information. are collections of abnormal skin cells found in the upper layers of skin that develop after prolonged exposure to sun light. AKs are precancerous lesions. Click here for more information.

Actinic PrurigoActinic Prurigo is a chronic, pruritic skin disease, where symptoms present hours after exposure to UV light. Click here for more information. is a chronic, pruritic skin disease, where symptoms present hours after exposure to UV light. Click here for more information.

AlbinismAlbinism is an inherited genetic condition that occurs when the body is unable to produce or distribute melanin, our own body’s pigment. Click here for more information is an inherited genetic condition that occurs when the body is unable to produce or distribute melaninMelanin is a naturally produced polymer found in a multitude of locations in the body, from the eye and ear, to the brain and skin. Click here for more information., our own body’s pigment. Click here for more information

Atopic DermatitisAtopic Dermatitis (atopic eczema) is a chronic, highly pruritic, eczematous skin disease characterized by extreme hypersensitivity to allergens. Click here for more information. (atopic eczema) is a chronic, highly pruritic, eczematous skin disease characterized by extreme hypersensitivity to allergens. Click here for more information.

BCC is the most common form of skin cancer, accounting for 75% of all skin cancers. Click here for more information.

DermatologyDermatology is the branch of medicine encompassing the study of skin, diseases of the skin and the relationship of cutaneous lesions to systemic disease. is the branch of medicine encompassing the study of skin, diseases of the skin and the relationship of cutaneous lesions to systemic disease.

A layer of human skin. The dermisA layer of human skin. The dermis consists of 2 layers: the papillary and elastic, both containing collagen. Blood vessels (capillaries) and nerves are found in this layer. Click here for more information. consists of 2 layers: the papillary and elastic, both containing collagen. Blood vessels (capillaries) and nerves are found in this layer. Click here for more information.

The upper most outer layer, the epidermisThe upper most outer layer, the epidermis, consists of squamous cells (flat and scale-like in shape) and underneath basal cells (round shaped). Click here for more information., consists of squamous cells (flat and scale-like in shape) and underneath basal cells (round shaped). Click here for more information.

Erythropoietic ProtoporphyriaErythropoietic Protoporphyria is a rare inherited metabolic disorder of the heme pathway. Click here for more information. is a rare inherited metabolic disorder of the heme pathway. Click here for more information.

MelaninMelanin is a naturally produced polymer found in a multitude of locations in the body, from the eye and ear, to the brain and skin. Click here for more information. is a naturally produced polymer found in a multitude of locations in the body, from the eye and ear, to the brain and skin. Click here for more information.

MelanomaMelanoma is a malignant cancer of the skin. Click here for more information. is a malignant cancer of the skin. Click here for more information.

PhotodermatologyPhotodermatology is the branch of medicine devoted to the study of skin and skin diseases and their interactions with light. is the branch of medicine devoted to the study of skin and skin diseases and their interactions with light.

Photodynamic therapyPhotodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment modality used in oncology medicine by a variety of specialist physicians to eradicate premalignant and early-stage cancer and reduce the tumour size in end-stage cancers. Click here for more information. (PDT) is a treatment modality used in oncology medicine by a variety of specialist physicians to eradicate premalignant and early-stage cancer and reduce the tumour size in end-stage cancers. Click here for more information.

PhotoprotectionPhotoprotection is protection from light and ultraviolet radiation. E.g. Melanin provides natural photoprotection, whilst sunscreens provide artificial photoprotection. Click here for more information. is protection from light and ultraviolet radiationUltaviolet (UV) radiation is emitted by the sun, and is a region in the electromagnetic spectrum between 400-200nm, that can be broken down into three categories: UVA which is between 400-320nm, UVB which is between 320-280nm, and UVC between 280-200nm. Click here for more information.. E.g. MelaninMelanin is a naturally produced polymer found in a multitude of locations in the body, from the eye and ear, to the brain and skin. Click here for more information. provides natural photoprotectionPhotoprotection is protection from light and ultraviolet radiation. E.g. Melanin provides natural photoprotection, whilst sunscreens provide artificial photoprotection. Click here for more information., whilst sunscreens provide artificial photoprotectionPhotoprotection is protection from light and ultraviolet radiation. E.g. Melanin provides natural photoprotection, whilst sunscreens provide artificial photoprotection. Click here for more information.. Click here for more information.

Also known as PLE, PME or PMLE, Polymorphic Light EruptionAlso known as PLE, PME or PMLE, Polymorphic Light Eruption is the most common skin disorder characterized by photosensitivity and, after sunburn, is the most common sun-related problem seen by doctors. Click here for more information. is the most common skin disorder characterized by photosensitivity and, after sunburnSunburn is a characteristic consequence of Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) exposure, whereby the epidermis (top layer of the skin) is showing an immediate (acute) and delayed reaction of redness (erythema), hardening of the skin and in some severe instances blister formation. Click here for more information., is the most common sun-related problem seen by doctors. Click here for more information.

PsoriasisPsoriasis is a lifelong, non-contagious skin disease, characterised by patches of red skin covered in silver scales. Click here for more information. is a lifelong, non-contagious skin disease, characterised by patches of red skin covered in silver scales. Click here for more information.

RosaceaRosacea is a common and chronic, dermatitis of the face which results in red patches of skin and pimples. Click here for more information. is a common and chronic, dermatitis of the face which results in red patches of skin and pimples. Click here for more information.

Solar UrticariaSolar Urticaria is a rare and severe allergic disorder following exposure to sun and or light, occurring in less than 1% of the population. Click here for more. is a rare and severe allergic disorder following exposure to sun and or light, occurring in less than 1% of the population. Click here for more.

Squamous Cell CarcinomaSquamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is a malignant tumour of the skin. Invasive SCC indicates that the cancer cells have grown into the deeper layers of the skin (dermis), whereas the term in-situ SCC indicate that the cancer cells remain in the upper layers of the skin (epidermis). SCC is a very common form of skin cancer. Click here for more information. (SCC) is a malignant tumour of the skin. Invasive SCC indicates that the cancer cells have grown into the deeper layers of the skin (dermisA layer of human skin. The dermis consists of 2 layers: the papillary and elastic, both containing collagen. Blood vessels (capillaries) and nerves are found in this layer. Click here for more information.), whereas the term in-situ SCC indicate that the cancer cells remain in the upper layers of the skin (epidermisThe upper most outer layer, the epidermis, consists of squamous cells (flat and scale-like in shape) and underneath basal cells (round shaped). Click here for more information.). SCC is a very common form of skin cancer. Click here for more information.

SunburnSunburn is a characteristic consequence of Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) exposure, whereby the epidermis (top layer of the skin) is showing an immediate (acute) and delayed reaction of redness (erythema), hardening of the skin and in some severe instances blister formation. Click here for more information. is a characteristic consequence of Ultraviolet RadiationUltaviolet (UV) radiation is emitted by the sun, and is a region in the electromagnetic spectrum between 400-200nm, that can be broken down into three categories: UVA which is between 400-320nm, UVB which is between 320-280nm, and UVC between 280-200nm. Click here for more information. (UVR) exposure, whereby the epidermisThe upper most outer layer, the epidermis, consists of squamous cells (flat and scale-like in shape) and underneath basal cells (round shaped). Click here for more information. (top layer of the skin) is showing an immediate (acute) and delayed reaction of redness (erythema), hardening of the skin and in some severe instances blister formation. Click here for more information.

Ultaviolet (UV) radiation is emitted by the sun, and is a region in the electromagnetic spectrum between 400-200nm, that can be broken down into three categories: UVA which is between 400-320nm, UVB which is between 320-280nm, and UVC between 280-200nm. Click here for more information.

Urticaria PigmentosaUrticaria Pigmentosa (UP) is a rare disease that affects the skin and occasionally other parts of the body. UP is a type of mastocytosis (also known as mastocytoma), which affects a sub-type of immune cells known as mast cells. UP is characterised by skin lesions and itching. Click here for more information. (UP) is a rare disease that affects the skin and occasionally other parts of the body. UP is a type of mastocytosis (also known as mastocytoma), which affects a sub-type of immune cells known as mast cells. UP is characterised by skin lesions and itching. Click here for more information.

VitiligoVitiligo is a relatively common (1-2% of the population) pigmentation disorder which results in wide patches of skin. Click here for more information. is a relatively common (1-2% of the population) pigmentation disorder which results in wide patches of skin. Click here for more information.

Xeroderma PigmentosumXeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) is a rare, hereditary disease where the skin is extremely sensitive to sunlight and ages prematurely. Affected individuals are particularly susceptible to developing a variety of skin cancers due to a defect in their DNA repair systems. Click here for more information. (XP) is a rare, hereditary disease where the skin is extremely sensitive to sunlight and ages prematurely. Affected individuals are particularly susceptible to developing a variety of skin cancers due to a defect in their DNA repair systems. Click here for more information.