Skin Conditions

Skin conditions

A list of some of the skin conditions we treat.


Acne is a very common skin condition. It can be found in several different forms that are distinguished by the different type of blemishes you may have. Spots such as blackheads and whiteheads are most common and often mild. Pustules and cysts are the other two types of spots, which are more severe; these are often deep, inflamed, pus-filled and can be long lasting and lead to scarring.

Age spots

Age spots are flat spots on the skin that vary in size and colour; brown, grey or black. The spots most commonly occur on parts of the skin that are exposed to the sun. Age spots are often called; liver spots, senile lentigo, solar lentigines or sun spots.


Blackheads, commonly known as comedones are a type of spot, which are a symptom of acne. Blackheads occur when oil and bacteria have been trapped under the skin. The skin which protects the spot breaks, resulting in the contents being exposed.

Blackheads are open to the air; this causes the open pore to turn black because the sebum (oil) becomes oxidized. Most people will suffer with blackheads at some point in their lives. Any skin type can suffer from blackheads; however they tend to be most frequent with those who suffer with oily skin.

Crow’s Feet

Crow’s feet are the fine lines and wrinkles that appear at the side of the eye, sometimes referred to as laughter lines.

Dull Skin

Over time skin can lose its natural radiance and glow resulting in skin looking dull and tired. Dull skin looks as if it has lost its brightness and can look grey in appearance.


Eczema, also known as dermatitis is inflammation of the skin. Eczema is a long-term chronic condition and it can improve over time. The condition mainly affects children, but can also affect adults.

Eczema is categorised by itchy, erythema (redness of the skin), weeping, and crusting patches on the skin. The condition can affect any part of the body, but the most common areas to be affected are; backs or fronts of the knees, outside or inside of the elbows, around the back, hands, cheeks and the scalp.

People who suffer with eczema may have periods when the symptoms are less noticeable, as well as periods when the symptoms can become more severe.

Excess Hair

Excess hair is a common condition in both men and women, and is most common in skin types from a Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and South Asian background.

Excess hair in men may not have an identifiable cause, however excess hair growth in women is called hirsutism. The hair is usually thick and dark, rather than fine and fair. The excess hair growth is usually on parts of the body where hair does not normally grow, such as the face and chest. Excess hair growth can also be a side effect of PCOS.

Hirsutism is caused by an excess of male sex hormones called androgens, testosterone is the best known androgens. Hirsutism can be caused either by the high level of androgens, or by the hair follicles being more sensitive to normal androgen levels.

Forehead Lines

Forehead lines, often called forehead wrinkles are caused by frequent muscle contraction. This includes; raising your eyebrows, squinting or frowning. Whenever you move your face, the muscles in your forehead contract, causing lines and wrinkles to form.

Environmental and lifestyle factors such as smoking, exposure to sunlight and pollution can cause wrinkles and lines. Forehead lines are a common sign of ageing; however they can begin to appear as early as in your 20s. The appearance of forehead lines can give a stressed or worried look.

Ingrown Hairs

Ingrown hairs are hairs that have curled round and grown back into the skin, rather than growing upwards from the hair follicle. Ingrown hairs can become inflamed and produce raised red spots, which can sometimes become infected and itchy.

Anyone can get ingrown hairs however they tend to be more problematic for people with curly or course hair. Ingrown hairs are most frequent in places that have been shaved or waxed, such as the bikini line for women and in the beard for men.


Jowls are the fleshy and loose skin that hangs beneath the lower jaw line and the lower cheeks. Jowls can give the appearance that the normal jaw line position has dropped, and definition of the face has been lost.

Laughter Lines

Laughter lines, commonly referred to as ‘Nasolabial fold’ are the deep wrinkles that appear around the mouth and nose when we smile.


Melasma, also called chloasma and pregnancy mask is a skin condition most common in adults. The skin condition shows light to dark brown or grayish patches of pigmentation develop mainly on the facial skin.

Melasma can affect anyone, however it is most common in women, especially those who are; pregnant, taking oral or patch contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy medications.

The patches of pigmentation often develop gradually over time, and the patches are commonly found on the upper cheek, nose, lips, upper lip and forehead. Other than the cosmetic discoloration of the skin there are no other symptoms.


A milium cyst is a small, white raised bump on the skin that typically appears on the nose and cheeks, however can appear anywhere on the face or body. The bumps are often found in groups called milia.

Milia are very common in newborn babies and referred to as ‘milk spots’. Unlike spots or pimples milia feel quite hard and do not have any redness or inflammation.

Neck Lines

Neck lines form as part of the natural ageing process; sagging skin is a common aspect of ageing. However unlike wrinkles which show themselves in fine lines and skin folds, neck lines can be much more exaggerated.

Nose to Mouth Lines

Nose to mouth lines or smile lines, medically known as nasolabial folds are the folds that run from each side of the nose to the corner of the mouth. Nose to mouth lines are more prominent when we smile.


Pigmentation is the coloration of the skin, melanin is the pigment in our body which determines the colour of our skin, hair, and eyes. The more melanin in your skin cells the darker your skin will be.


Psoriasis is a long-lasting chronic skin condition that causes red, flaky, crusty patches of skin that are covered with a silvery coloured scale. The patches are most commonly found on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back, however they can appear anywhere on the body.

The severity of the condition varies from person to person; some people may only be affected with small patches that are just a minor irritation. Others can have the condition impact their quality of life, with the patches becoming itchy or sore.

As the condition is a chronic disease there can be periods when you have no symptoms or mild symptoms, this can be followed by periods where symptoms are more severe.


Spots sometimes known as pimples or zits are very common; they come in a number of types, sizes and shapes. Spots can appear at any time, usually on the face but can be found on the back, neck, chest and anywhere else on the body and are caused for a number of different reasons.

Sun Damage

In our lifetime we spend a lot of time outdoors, this can cause our skin some problems if we do not care for it properly. Too much exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun can significantly damage skin.


The body sweats for three reasons; to get rid of waste from the body, to regulate the body’s temperature and to keep the skin clean. All of these are very important to the health of our body.

The body has approximately 2-4 million sweat glands and these glands are capable of producing 12 litres of sweat per day. Sweating may affect the whole body, however commonly affected areas including the armpits, palms of your hands, soles of your feet, face, chest and groin.

Sweating does not pose any serious threat to your health, but it can become a distressing problem for some.

Thin Lips

Having thin lips can be natural and in your genes; however they can also be a sign of ageing or a result of smoking. As we age naturally the collagens in our lips break down and the muscles tire. This leaves the lips looking and feeling thinner, it can also lead to wrinkles around the lips.

Although having thin or uneven lips does not cause a health risk, they can make some people feel self-conscious.

Thread Veins

Thread veins, sometimes known as spider or broken veins are medically known as telangiectasia, are small clusters of red or blue veins that can appear on the face and legs. Thread veins are completely harmless; however they can appear to be more ageing than lines and wrinkles can.

Tired Eyes

The natural ageing process can have a dramatic effect on our eyes. After years of facial movement including; laughing, squinting and frowning causes the muscles to contract, leading to the formation of lines and wrinkles around the eyes. Environmental and lifestyle factors such as exposure to the sun, pollution and smoking can also affect this.

The eyes are often the first place to show signs of ageing because the skin is thinner and more prone to creasing. Lines and wrinkles around the eye can leave them looking tired.

Wrinkles and Fine Lines

Wrinkles and fine lines are both signs of ageing that are inevitable. When we move our face the muscles contract, this includes laughing, squinting, concentrating and frowning.

After years of our muscles contracting along with environmental and lifestyle factors such as smoking, pollution and exposure to the sun, can all lead to lines and wrinkles.

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