Glossary Of Terms
Abdominoplasty: A surgical procedure done to flatten your abdomen by removing extra fat and skin, and tightening muscles in your abdominal wall. Commonly referred to as a tummy tuck.Acne: A skin condition characterized by the excess production of oil from sebaceous glands in which the hair follicles become plugged.
Acne scar: Scars due to severe acne. They can range from deep pits to scars that are angular or wavelike in appearance.
Age spots: Small flat pigmented spots that are most often seen on areas of the body that have been exposed to the sun over a period of years. Usually occur after the age of 40.
Alopecia: The complete or partial loss of hair
Asymmetry: Lacking symmetry; parts of the body are unequal in shape or size e.g. breasts.
Beta hydroxy acid: An oil-soluble exfoliant that is commonly found in skin-care products. Beta hydroxy acid (salicylic acid) is used to treat wrinkles, blackheads and photo-aging.
Blepharoplasty: A primarily cosmetic surgical procedure that reduces bagginess from lower eyelids and/or raises drooping upper eyelids. The procedure involves the removal of excess skin and underlying fatty tissue.
Botox: A substance derived from botulinum toxin that works by preventing nerve impulses from reaching the muscle, causing the muscle to relax. Commonly used to erase the lines and wrinkles that come with age.
Breast augmentation: A surgical procedure to increase breast size.
Brow lift: A surgical procedure in which the skin of the forehead and eyebrows is tightened to eliminate sagging eyebrows or correct frown lines in the forehead.
Buttock Lift: Excess fat and loose skin in the buttock area can be reduced by performing a buttock lift in combination with liposuction.
Cannula: A hollow tube attached to a high-vacuum device used to remove fat through liposuction.
Capsular contracture: The most common complication of breast surgery, it occurs if the scar or capsule around the implant begins to tighten.
Chemexfoliation: See “chemical peel”
Chemical peel: A process in which a chemical solution is applied to the skin to remove dead skin cells and stimulate the production of new skin cells. This process is also called a chemexfoliation.
Collagen: The major structural proteins in the skin that give the skin its strength and resilience.
Crows Feet: The fine lines found around the eyes. They are often caused by sun exposure. However, smoking also contributes to their formation.
Debriding: The process of removing dead tissue prior to reconstructive or cosmetic surgery.
Depilation: The removal of hair.
Dermabrasion: A surgical procedure in which a patient’s skin is exfoliated using a high-powered rotating brush.
Dermatologist: A doctor who specializes in the treatment and diagnosis of skin and skin-related problems.
Dermis: The middle layer of the skin, the dermis is a complex combination of blood vessels, hair follicles, and sebaceous (oil) glands. Here, you’ll find collagen and elastin. The dermis is also where wrinkles occur.
Deviated septum: A condition in which the septum (the wall inside the nose that divides it into two sides) is not located in the middle of the nose where it should be. The condition is commonly treatable with surgery.
Elastin: A protein found with collagen in the dermis that is responsible for giving structure to your skin and organs.
Ephelides: See “freckles”
Epidermis: The outer layer of the skin. The epidermis is the thinnest layer, responsible for protecting you from the harsh environment.
Exfoliate: To remove the top layer of skin. Chemical peels and dermabrasion are examples of methods in which the skin is exfoliated.
Eye lift: A primarily cosmetic surgical procedure that reduces bagginess from lower eyelids and raises drooping upper eyelids. The procedure involves the removal of excess skin, muscle, and underlying fatty tissue.
Face lift: This surgical procedure is done to eliminate the sagging, drooping, and wrinkled skin of the face and neck.
Freckle: A light or moderately brown spot that appears on the skin as a result of exposure to sunlight. Freckles are most common in people with fair complexions.
Grafting: A procedure in which healthy skin is moved from one area of the body to another, normally due to damage by disease or injury.
Gynaecomastia: A condition in which the male’s breast tissue enlarges. This increase in tissue usually occurs at times when the male is having hormonal changes, such as during infancy, adolescence, and old age; sometimes it can just be a case of extra fat.
Hematoma: Blood that collects under the skin or in an organ.
Hyperpigmentation: A skin condition in which there is excessive pigmentation, often seen as dark spots on the skin.
Hypertrophic scar: A raised and red scar, similar to a keloid scar, but different in that it stays within the boundaries of the injury site
Hypodermis: The fatty layer of skin, home of sweat glands and fat and collagen cells. The hypodermis is responsible for conserving your body’s heat and protecting your vital inner organs.
Hypopigmentation: A skin condition in which there is a lack of pigmentation
Keloid scar: A type of scar that continues to grow beyond what is needed at the site of an injury. This type of scar is caused by too much collagen forming while the skin is being repaired. The tendency to develop keloid scars is genetic.
Keratin: This dominant protein is your skin’s main material, as well as in hair and nails. Keratin is what forms the rigidity of your skin.
Kojic Acid: A skin treatment product derived from a fungus that studies have shown is effective as a lightening agent and in inhibiting the production of melanin.
L-ascorbic acid: L-ascorbic acid is a form of Vitamin C.
Lip Augmentation: A procedure done to improve deflated, drooping or sagging lips, correct their symmetry or to reduce fine lines and wrinkles around them. This is often done through injections.
Lipoplasty: See “liposuction”.
Liposuction: A cosmetic procedure in which a special instrument called a cannula is used to break up and suck out fat from the body. This procedure is also known as lipoplasty.
Mammoplasty: Reconstructive or cosmetic surgical procedure that alters the size or shape of the breast.
Mastectomy: The surgical removal of part or the entire breast.
Mastopexy: Also called a breast lift, this procedure removes excess skin in order to lift up sagging or drooping breasts.
Melasma: A condition in which pigmentation of the cheeks of the face darkens into tan or brown patches. This condition occurs in half of all women during pregnancy
Micropigmentation: A form of tattooing commonly used to apply permanent makeup by injecting iron oxide pigment into the middle layer of your skin (dermis).
Mini tummy tuck: This procedure is ideal for individuals who have fat deposits limited to the area below the navel.
Nasal: Relating to the nose.
Otoplasty: A surgical procedure done to correct misshaped or protruding ears.
Photo-aging: The changes that occur to the skin due to exposure to the sun. This includes wrinkles and age spots.
Pinnaplasty: Also known as otoplasty, a surgical procedure done to correct misshaped or protruding ears.
Port-wine stain: A type of hemangioma characterized by a mark on the skin that resembles the rich red color of port wine. Port-wine stains are caused by an abnormal concentration of capillaries. This type of birthmark is also referred to as nevus flammeus.
Ptosis: The drooping of a body part, especially the eyelids or the breasts.
Reconstructive plastic surgery: A type of plastic surgery that is performed on the body for problems that may be caused by trauma, infection, developmental abnormalities, congenital defects, disease, and/or tumours. This type of surgery is usually performed to improve function, but may also be performed to approximate a normal appearance.
Rhinoplasty: A cosmetic procedure used to enhance or change the appearance of the nose. Rhinoplasty is commonly referred to as a nose job.
Rhytidectomy: Commonly called a facelift, this surgical procedure is done to eliminate the sagging, drooping, and wrinkled skin of the face and neck.
Rosacea: A skin disease of unknown causes that causes an array of symptoms, including redness and puffiness on several areas of the face, including the cheeks and nose. Rosacea cannot be cured, but treatment should be sought since the condition can worsen over time if not treated correctly or promptly.
Scar: The body’s natural way of healing and replacing lost or damaged skin. A scar is usually composed of fibrous tissue. Scars may be formed for many different reasons, including as a result of infections, surgery, injuries, or inflammation of tissue.
Septoplasty: A surgical procedure done to improve the flow of air to your nose by repairing malformed cartilage and/or the bony portion. The procedure is often performed along with a rhinoplasty.
Septorhinoplasty: A form of rhinoplasty that is performed to reconstruct the nasal passage or to relieve obstructions inside the nose to correct breathing problems; the obstruction is removed through internal incisions and the interior of the nose is restructured.
Spider vein: A widened vein that can be seen through the surface of the skin.
Subcutaneous: A term referring to below the skin
Sun protection factor: Commonly seen on suntan ingredients as “SPF,” the sun protection factor is the amount of the protection a suntan product provides. The higher the SPF, the greater the protection.
Suture: The stitches used to hold tissue together or to close a wound.
Varicose vein: Enlarged, twisted veins found near the surface of the skin.
