• What is skin?
• Skin and the aging process
  • Chronological aging
  • Photoaging
• Common skin conditions
  • Dry skin
  • Adult acne
  • Contact dermatitis
  • Rosacea
  • Hair loss
  • Excessive hair growth
  • Actinic keratosis
  • Shingles
  • Drug-resistant skin infections
  • Spider veins and varicose veins
• Skin cancer
  • Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas
  • Melanoma
• SPECIAL SECTION: Protecting your skin
  • Sun damage
  • Medications
  • Infrared radiation
  • Cigarettes
  • Irritants
  • Facial expressions
  • How to use sunscreens
  • Tanning without the sun
• Lotions and potions
  • Moisturizers
  • Exfoliants
  • Cosmeceuticals
  • Retinoids
  • Other skin care products
  • What to avoid
• Skin rejuvenation procedures
  • Doctor or aesthetician?
  • Botulinum toxin
  • Chemical peels
  • Laser procedures
  • Photorejuvenation with intense pulsed light
  • LED photomodulation
  • Photodynamic therapy
  • Radiofrequency
  • Soft-tissue augmentation: Fillers and implants
  • Microdermabrasion
• Glossary
• Resources

All your life, your skin has been making a first impression for you. It can reveal whether you’re hot or cold, tired or rested, sick or healthy. As you age, your skin changes in response to the elements that assail it, particularly the sun. On the inside, you may feel as good as ever, but the toll of years on your skin may send a different message.

Some medical conditions, particularly skin cancer, become more likely, while everyday stresses and exposures alter the tone and contour of your skin. To some extent, your genes determine how well your skin stands the test of time. But environmental factors play a big role as well. Each year, physicians diagnose more than one million cases of two highly curable forms of skin cancer—basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. But for nearly 70,000 people, the diagnosis will be melanoma, a potentially deadly form of skin cancer. That’s why it’s so important to take steps to prevent skin cancer by avoiding ultraviolet radiation from the sun and also from tanning beds.

The World Health Organization now places people who use ultraviolet tanning beds in its highest cancer risk category. If it’s vitamin D you’re after, tanning beds are not a good choice but spending a very short time in the sun is safe for most people.

There’s lots of good news in skin treatments, including therapies for medical conditions as well as cosmetic concerns. But it’s important to choose your treatments with care. Check and double-check the reputation and accreditation of clinicians performing invasive skin procedures. Choose skin care products wisely. The market for anti-aging creams and cosmetic surgery is skyrocketing. Americans spend an estimated $1.6 billion each year on anti-aging skin care products. Cosmetic procedures such as botulinum toxin injections and laser therapy to improve the skin’s appearance increased to more than 10 million in 2008 in the United States, with nonsurgical procedures making up 83% of the total. This report is intended to help you sort through your options by providing information based on scientific research and our own experience .

You’ll find authoritative, up-to-date information about the ingredients in skin lotions that help reduce wrinkles and other signs of aging. A detailed section on techniques ranging from fractional laser resurfacing to cosmetic fillers can help you decide whether such procedures might be right for you. These are highly personal decisions. Whatever choices you make, you have more options today than ever before.

The following reviews have been left for this report. Log in and leave a review of your own.

A comprehensive study, with many interested items, maybe some of them not treated in deepness as I would like to.

A clear, concise pamphlet on skin problems. Suggestions are easy to understand

I found this report excellent. The information is presented in clear logical progression of what the elements of the skin are, how to care for them, and what the repair options are. I found the illustrations clear, easy to understand and helpful. I feel the report itself is a well written comprehensive review of skincare from a primarily medical perspective.

I am afraid that I did not get my moneys worth, after waiting an inordinate amount of time just to receive the document. I felt the report was superficial. It appeared that it was mainly written for people who wanted to get away from lines or "crows feet" or wanted a botox enhancement. Not impressed!