AcnePain Definitions
Some words have more than one meaning. Only those meanings relating to this site will be used.
All Definitions A - Z
S
ScabiesAn infestation of the skin with the microscopic mite Sarcoptes scabei. More about Scabies
Sebaceous Glands
Pronounced -suh-bay-shus glands
Sebaceous glands are attached to hair follicles just below the skin's surface and are found in hair-covered areas of our body, although they can be found in hairless areas of our body (except for our lips, palms of our hands, and the soles of our feet). Sebaceous glands produce an oily substance to lubricate the skin, keeping the skin soft and smooth. This oily substance is called sebum. If the sebaceous glands make too much sebum, mixed with dead skin cells, this can plug our pores and cause acne.
Sebum
Pronounced - see-bum
The oily substance produced by sebaceous glands.
Self-esteem
Pronounced - self us-teem
How you feel about yourself - how you feel about who you are, the way you act, and how you look. When a person does not think too highly of themselves, they are said to have low self-esteem.
Streptomycin
An injectable drug used to treat Tuberculosis (TB) disease and other bacterial infections. May cause hearing problems. Streptomycin should not be given to pregnant women.
Subcutis
Subcutis (or Hypodermis) is the third layer of your skin, fatty layer of subcutaneous tissue, the bottom, deepest layer.
Sun Protection Factor (SPF)
SPF indicates the degree of protection the sunscreen provides. For example, a sunscreen with an SPF of 4 provides the least protection. Sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 or higher provides more protection. SPF is based on how long unprotected skin takes to burn when exposed to artificial sunlight.
Sunscreen
A substance that blocks the effects of the sun's harmful rays; using sunscreen can reduce the risk of skin cancer.
Synthetic
Pronounced - sin-THEH-tik
Substances that are man made in the laboratory instead of taken from nature.
Systemic
Pronounced - sis-TEH-mik
Affecting the whole body.
Systemic Disease
Pronounced - sis-TEH-mik dih-ZEEZ
A disease that affects the entire body.
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