Cosmetic Treatments Glossary

Abdominoplasty (or tummy tuck):

surgery to flatten the abdomen by removing extra fat and skin and tightening muscles in the abdominal wall.

Age spots:

pigmented spots most often seen on areas of the body that have been exposed to the sun over a number of years. Age spots usually occur after the age of 40.

Alopecia:

the complete or partial loss of hair, sometimes genetic, sometimes stress-related.

Blepharoplasty (or eyelid lift):

primarily a cosmetic surgical procedure to reduce bagginess from lower eyelids and raise drooping upper eyelids by removing excess skin, muscle and underlying fatty tissue.

Botox (brand name for botulinum toxin):

a substance derived from botulinum toxin that works by preventing nerve impulses from reaching the muscle, causing the muscle to relax. It can be used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and frown lines or prevent excess sweating.

Breast augmentation (or mammoplasty):

A surgical procedure done to increase breast size.

Brow lift:

surgery to tighten the skin of the forehead and eyebrows to eliminate sagging eyebrows or correct frown lines in the forehead. The procedure can also help to smooth horizontal expression lines in the forehead and vertical frown lines between the eyebrows.

Cellulite:

the dimpled-looking fat that often appears on the buttocks, thighs and hips. No treatment will make the cellulite disappear completely, but aesthetic plastic surgeons are exploring new techniques that may improve the condition.

Chemical peel (or chemexfoliation):

a chemical solution is applied to the skin to remove dead skin cells and stimulate the production of new skin cells in a bid to improve fine wrinkles around the mouth and on the forehead and cheeks.

Chin Augmentation (or mentoplasty):

this procedure can strengthen the appearance of a receding chin by increasing its projection without affecting the patient's bite or jaw.

Collagen:

structural proteins that give the skin its strength and resilience.

Collagen Injections:

treatment for facial wrinkles. Results of collagen injections are not permanent, and treatments must be repeated periodically to maintain results.

Crows feet:

fine lines found around the eyes, often caused by sun exposure, however, smoking also contributes to their formation.

Depilation:

hair removal.

Dermabrasion:

a procedure in which a high-speed rotary wheel, similar to fine-grained sandpaper, is used to abrade the skin said to improve extensive sun damage and heavy skin wrinkling. It can also be used to improve the texture of pockmarked skin resulting from severe acne or chicken pox. Following treatment, the skin should appear firmer and smoother, but permanent pigment changes may occur.

Dermatologist:

a doctor who specialises in the treatment and diagnosis of skin and skin-related problems. A cosmetic dermatologist specialises in procedure to enhance the appearance of skin.

Dermis:

the middle layer of the skin and a complex combination of blood vessels, hair follicles, and sebaceous (oil) glands. It is where collagen and elastin are found and where wrinkles occur.

Eczema:

skin condition characterised by itchy, irritated, inflamed skin. Eczema comes in many forms and can be triggered by a variety of factors, including allergies, environmental factors, or family history. The raised, inflamed skin can appear anywhere on your body, including your face, legs, arms or neck.

Elastin:

a protein found with collagen in the dermis that is responsible for giving structure to skin and organs.

Electrolysis:

hair removal procedure in which chemicals or heat is used to destroy the hair follicle.

Epidermis:

the outer layer of the skin and the thinnest layer, responsible for protection against the harsh environment. It has five layers of its own: stratum germinativum, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum and stratum corneum.

Exfoliate:

removal of the top layer of the skin by procedures such as chemical peels and dermabrasion.

Facelift (or Rhytidectomy):

surgical procedure to reduce sagging, drooping and wrinkled skin of the face and neck. When necessary, fatty deposits beneath the skin are removed and sagging muscles are tightened. Excess skin is removed.

Grafting:

healthy skin and/or muscle is removed from one area of the body to another area damaged by disease or injury.

Hypodermis:

the fatty layer of skin, home of sweat glands and fat and collagen cells. The hypodermis is responsible for conserving the body’s heat and protecting the vital inner organs.

Lip augmentation:

procedure to improve deflated, drooping or sagging lips, correct their symmetry or to reduce fine lines and wrinkles around them generally through injections or implants.

Liposuction (or lipoplasty):

the removal of localised collections of fatty tissue from the legs, buttocks, abdomen, back, arms, face and neck using a high vacuum device, called a canula.

Mammoplasty:

Any reconstructive or cosmetic surgical procedure that alters the size or shape of the breast.

Mastectomy:

the removal of part or all of the breast.

Mastopexy (or breast lift):

the lifting of sagging or drooping breasts by removing excess skin. Can be combined with a mammoplasty.

Melanoma:

the most dangerous form of skin cancer, that can spread rapidly and is potentially fatal if not treated or detected.

Otoplasty:

surgical procedure to correct misshaped or protruding ears.

Photoaging:

the changes of the skin due to exposure to the sun, including wrinkles and age spots.

Rhinoplasty (more commonly known as nose job):

A cosmetic procedure used to enhance or change the appearance of the nose.

Rosacea:

skin disease of unknown causes that can cause redness and puffiness on several areas of the face, including cheeks and nose. It cannot be cured, but treatment should be sought since the condition can worsen over time if not treated correctly or promptly.

Sclerotherapy:

medical procedure used to eliminate varicose veins and so-called spider veins. An injection of a solution (generally sodium chloride) in placed directly into the vein.

Spider vein:

A widened vein that can be seen through the surface of the skin.

Subcutaneous:

A term referring to below the skin, as in subcutaneous fat.

Sun protection factor (SPF):

the amount of the protection a suntan product provides. The higher the SPF, the greater the protection.

Suture:

stitches used to hold tissue together or to close a wound.

Varicose vein:

enlarged, twisted veins found near the surface of the skin.