Skin Deep: An A-Z of Skin Disorders, Treatments and Health

"I've got you under my skin . . ." The lyric is famous, but how many of us know what really lies beneath our skin, what skin is composed of, which elements are beneficial or harmful to it, what to do when skin becomes damaged? Questions abound: What are the causes and treatments for acne? Are there common side effects to using tanning pills? How safe are face-lifts and what are the potential complications associated with the procedure? How can you tell if a lesion is cancerous? Are there cosmetic ingredients that are irritating to the skin or are carcinogenic? What is a chemical peel?
Answers to these questions and many others can be found in Skin Deep. Written by an accomplished medical writer and a dermatologist who teaches at Harvard Medical School, Skin Deep is the only book available on the subject that has been especially designed for the layperson. Cutting through the many layers of medical and technical jargon, it provides clear, easy-to-understand entries on the skin, its disorders and treatments.
Organized in an A-to-Z format, the book examines skin diseases and disorders, such as psoriasis, albinism, herpes simplex, eczema and wrinkles; treatments, including skin grafts, rhinoplasty, face-lifts and liposuction; medications and products, such as Accutane, cortisone, Retin-A, Varivax, cold creams, astringents, lanolin and sunscreens; and traumas that can affect the skin, including animal bites, burns, scratches and parasitic infections. In addition, Skin Deep provides information on the latest advances in medical and cosmetic treatments, including laser resurfacing, cryosurgery and laser surgery, and also helps the reader understand his or her own skin by explaining what its elements are and what is required to keep skin healthy. Numerous appendices complement the text, listing organizations, publications and hotlines to consult for further information.