Glossary of Specialist Cosmetic Terms
The world of cosmetic surgery and beauty treatments has its own specialised vocabulary. It is important that you understand what practioners are talking about - so they don't blind you with science! So we have created this glossary of some of the terms you may come across, in order to help make things clearer.
Acne
A chronic disorder of the hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Acne is characterized by black heads, pimple outbreaks, cysts, infected abscesses, and (sometimes) scarring.
Botox©
Short for Botulinum Toxin A, derived from a bacteria botulinum clostridium which produces a nerve toxin causing short term muscle paralysis. When injected in its purified form in small quantities it smooths wrinkles caused by facial muscles.
Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA)
A biomaterial and the primary mineral constituent of bone and teeth.
Dermis/Epidermis/Mesoderm
The different layers of the skin.
Fibroblasts
cells in the body that produce collagen.
IAL/Elastance
A bio-medical, synthetic, rejuvenisation product. IAL (or Elastance) contains hyaluronic acid, a synthetic collagen and comes as a gel that is injected very superficially to promote skin hydration and improve its tone and texture.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Light energy delivered by a number of rapid pulses, which ensure a more controlled treatment. Depending on the treatment being carried out, light emitted by the IPL is absorbed by structures in the skin. Intense Pulsed Light, although not a laser, is ideal for the treatment of superficial skin lesions. IPL can also be used for hair removal and skin rejuvenation. The advantage of IPL is that large areas can be treated quickly.
Lipostabl
The commercial name for Phosphatidylcholinesterase (see below).
Lipo-suction
A surgical technique involving the suctioning of fat from the body. It is done by Plastic Surgeons in a hospital setting.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Light energy delivered by a number of rapid pulses, which ensure a more controlled treatment. Depending on the treatment being carried out, light emitted by the IPL is absorbed by structures in the skin. Intense Pulsed Light, although not a laser, is ideal for the treatment of superficial skin lesions. IPL can also be used for hair removal and skin rejuvenation. The advantage of IPL is that large areas can be treated quickly.
Melasma
Increased pigmentation, usually on the face, in a rather patchy distribution. It can be treated by IPL and also topical skin lightening creams.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Light energy delivered by a number of rapid pulses, which ensure a more controlled treatment. Depending on the treatment being carried out, light emitted by the IPL is absorbed by structures in the skin. Intense Pulsed Light, although not a laser, is ideal for the treatment of superficial skin lesions. IPL can also be used for hair removal and skin rejuvenation. The advantage of IPL is that large areas can be treated quickly.
Micro-puncture/micro-injection
Injections given very superficially into the skin by up to 3-4mm depth only.
Non-surgical
Any procedure which does not involve surgery, ie. the cutting open of any part of the face or body for treatment.
Phosphatidylcholinesterase
An enzyme present in the human body that helps induce fat metabolism. In its purified, injectable form it induces the same pathway to help breakdown small amounts of body fat. It is marketed as Lipostabl.
Radiesse
A long lasting injectable implant/dermal filler, which is composed of synthetic calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres, suspended in a gel carrier.
Rosacea
A skin condition that is due to inflammation of parts of the face. Symptoms include facial flushing, facial redness, spots, eye problems and thickening of the skin. Not all symptoms occur in all cases.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is the treatment of superficial thread veins / varicose veins through the injection of a sclerosant or irritant that causes the vessel wall to collapse.
TCA (Trichloroacetic acid)
A medium-depth chemical skin peel.