Education Station

Understand your skin,
from the people who treat it

Free, clinician-curated knowledge — a dermatology dictionary, honest explainers on cosmetic treatments, patient information films and articles from our team. No jargon, no selling; just the information we wish every patient had.

Dermatology — 01

The skin condition dictionary

Plain-English summaries of the conditions and skin lesions we see most often in clinic — with links to trusted patient leaflets where you can read more. Our clinicians diagnose and treat all of the below; if something on your skin is worrying you, a consultation is always the right first step.

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Acne

A common skin condition that affects most people at some point. Acne causes oily skin, blackheads and whiteheads (comedones), pus-filled spots (pustules), red bumps (papules), larger deeper bumps (nodules) and discolouration that can be red or darker than your normal skin colour.

Patient leaflet

Actinic (solar) keratosis

Areas of sun-damaged skin found predominantly on sun-exposed parts of the body — particularly the forearms, backs of the hands, face, ears, bald scalp and lower legs. Most lesions are skin-coloured to pink; some are more easily felt than seen.

Patient leaflet

Angioma

A common, benign (non-cancerous) skin growth made up of blood vessels. The most common is the cherry angioma, also known as a Campbell de Morgan spot.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)

Sometimes called a rodent ulcer, this is the most common form of skin cancer. BCCs are generally not life-threatening as they do not spread around the body, but they are locally destructive — those near the eyes, nose, lips and ears should be treated promptly.

Patient leaflet

Bowen's disease

An area of sun-damaged skin which, left untreated, can very occasionally turn into a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.

Patient leaflet

Dermatofibroma

Also known as a histiocytoma — a common fibrous or scarring reaction in the deeper layer of the skin. Dermatofibromas are benign and cannot turn into skin cancer.

Eczema — atopic eczema

The most common form of eczema, causing itchy, dry and inflamed skin. More common in children — often before their first birthday — but it can develop for the first time at any age.

Patient leaflet

Eczema — discoid eczema

A type of eczema with characteristic round-to-oval patches of itchy, inflamed skin. It can occur at any age but is seen more frequently in adults.

Granuloma annulare

A relatively common, harmless inflammatory condition that typically appears as smooth ring-like areas in the skin, often with a raised or bumpy edge — commonly on the backs of the hands, feet, ankles and elbows.

Condition information adapted with thanks to the Primary Care Dermatology Society and the British Association of Dermatologists. This is general information, not a diagnosis — please book a consultation for advice about your own skin.

Patient information films

The Truth about Acne — free advice
The Medical Skin Clinic

Cryotherapy aftercare, with Dermatology CNS Chrissie
The Medical Skin Clinic

Melanoma & other skin cancers — what to look out for
Patient information film

Atopic eczema — patient information
Patient information film

Psoriasis — patient information animation
Patient information film

Treating scalp psoriasis
Patient information film

Trusted further reading

Independent organisations we trust for accurate dermatology information.

Cosmetic dermatology — 02

Research before you book — we insist

Good aesthetic medicine starts with an informed patient. Watch our team explain how the most common treatments actually work, then explore the treatments themselves — and always check any practitioner's credentials before you book, with us or anyone else.

Try the concern finder