Ace the Utah Esthetics Written Exam 2025 – Glam Up Your Skills and Shine On!

The medical term for dry skin is known as xerosis. This term specifically refers to abnormal dryness of the skin, which can be caused by a variety of factors, including environmental conditions, skin disorders, or systemic conditions. Xerosis may present with scaling, itching, and sometimes cracking of the skin, which can lead to further complications if not managed properly.

In contrast to xerosis, aesteatosis typically involves a decrease in the lipid content of the skin, and while it can relate to dryness, it is not the correct term for general dry skin. Dermatitis is a broader term that covers various types of skin inflammation and can involve conditions that lead to either dry or moist skin. Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition characterized by rapid skin cell turnover that leads to thick, red patches covered with silvery scales, which does not purely define dry skin. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in recognizing the specific terminology related to skin conditions.