If you suffer from acne, you’re not alone. Acne is a common skin condition driving many women to the dermatologist each year. It occurs when hair follicles are plugged by dead skin cells due to an excess of oil known as sebum, which is produced by the sebaceous glands. This allows bacteria to grow and causes inflammation, and thus, acne.

There are many different types of acne, and it’s most commonly found on the face, back, chest and shoulders.

Having acne can be a painful experience, but what’s worse is the scars it can leave behind. Acne scars are caused when acne penetrates the skin and does damage to the tissue underneath. Acne scars can appear in two forms: atrophic (depressed) and hypertrophic (raised).

Dull skin is a result of dead skin layers due to a low cell turnover rate and weakened circulation, while dry skin is due to a loss of oil glands.

Eczema is a broad term for many types of itchy, dry, and red rash-like skin conditions. It can happen in all areas of the body, and eczema is not contagious. When talking about eczema, doctors and patients usually refer to atopic dermatitis because it’s the most common form of eczema

The scientific term for this condition is Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) which usually happens if the skin has experienced some form of trauma such as insect bites, acne, burns, or surgical cuts. As the skin heals, the wounded area appears darker in color. These dark spots and scars do eventually heal but it’s a time-consuming recovery and can be miserable for patients if they have to wait a long period of time to see results.

Melasma is a common skin issue where dark and discolored patches appear on the skin, on the face. It appears much more frequently in women and can be related to pregnancy.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin condition where the immune system attacks healthy skin cells, but it also stimulates the growth of skin cells. It is not contagious and can occur in various parts of the body. There are 7 types of psoriasis with plaque psoriasis being the most common type of psoriasis.

Psoriasis not only affects the skin but can also lead to arthritis (inflammation of the joints) in approximately 30% of patients.

A rash is an area of irritated, red, itchy, or swollen skin and is a general term for many skin conditions that cause similar-looking symptoms. Skin conditions such as Atopic Dermatitis, Contact Dermatitis can cause rashes. Likewise, Lupus and Lyme Disease can cause rashes as well.

Rosacea is a non-contagious, inflammatory skin condition that happens mostly on the central face. Rosacea can be a painful and annoying experience with flare-ups that can last weeks to months at a time and appear out of nowhere.

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder where your body attacks your own pigment cells. Without pigment cells that create melanin, the skin may appear whiter or lighter in color. Vitiligo isn't harmful, but it can cause psychological stress.