Acidophilus: aka Lactobacillus acidophilus, is a “good for you” bacterium. Yogurts contain this yeast. However, when searching for yogurt products, try to find those that don’t contain high sugar content.
Acne: A skin condition that may present itself in many different forms. It is caused by several determining factors, including diet, oil production, and inflammatory responses in the immune system.
Acne Vulgaris: One of the many different forms of acne, and one of the most common, especially in teenagers.
Acupuncture: An ancient form of medicine that treats medical conditions through the use of long, fine needles inserted at various points throughout the body to restore the proper balance of “qi” (or energy) in the body.
Alternative medicine: A term that is given to anything that does not use “modern” medicines and treatments—i. e. through the use of herbal products or forms derived from nature.
Bacteria: Can be single or multi celled organisms that reproduce in the body.
Blackhead: A clogged pore that contains a “black” tip or plug.
Bowel: aka the colon or large intestine. Part of the digestive system and also part of the alimentary canal that rids the body of waste products through the rectum and anus.
Candida Albicans: Very common yeast found within the human body. When too much is found in the body, it can lead to yeast infections.
Castor Oil: This cathartic oil that is ingested or rubbed on the skin for its medicinal value. Most known for helping to eliminate and soothe skin inflammations.
Collagen: Connective tissue that helps provide strength and elasticity in bones, tendons, skin, and body support structures.
Comedo: A cone or raised nodule found on the skin.
Cyst: A closed sac that may or not contain liquid or pus.
Cystic Acne: aka Acne Vulgaris.
Dermabrasion: Performed by a skilled surgeon, this process literally sands off fine layers of skin and scar tissue.
Dermatologist: A doctor who focuses on and treats various skin disorders.
Detoxification: A process through which toxins and poisons are removed from the body.
Enema: The process through which liquid is flushed into the lower bowels via the anus and rectum.
Exfoliation: The process through which dead or damaged skin cells are removed from the surface of the skin.
Fasting: Abstaining from food.
Follicle: The tubular site and anchor for hair roots.
Holistic: A healing practice that focuses on the treatment of the entire body through organic methods for the treatment of various illnesses and disease processes.
Hormones: Chemicals found in and released by the endocrine system that carry stimulating enzymes for growth, emotions, and body organ reactions.
Laser Surgery: Use of laser light pulses of light waves in surgical settings. Common in facial and cosmetic procedures due to its lack of severe tissue damage.
Nodule: Hard lesions that extend deep into skin tissue layers.
Papule: Solid bump on the surface of the skin.
Pectin: A substance that is found in apples and in the cores of many fruits.
Phosphoric acid: Commonly used in soaps and fertilizers.
Pus: An accumulation of white blood cells that are designed to fight off infection and bacteria at the sight of an open wound.
Pustule: Inflamed tissue cell growths that contain pus.
Scarring: Acne produces several types of scars, from keloid to “ice pick. ”
Sebum: The product of excretions of the sebaceous glands: also known as oil.
Toxin: Any poisonous or damaging product that may be formed by bacteria.
Whitehead: A type of pimple that is caused by a clogged sebaceous gland, usually found on the face.
