Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeons

Skin Care and Cosmetic Surgery Glossary Abdominoplasty: A surgical procedure done to flatten your abdomen by removing extra fat and skin, and tightening muscles in your abdominal wall. This procedure is 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. Age spots usually occur after the age of 40. Albinism: An inherited disorder in which there is no pigmentation in skin, hair or eyes, due to the absence of melanin, the substance that gives skin its color. Alopecia: The complete or partial loss of hair Autologen: A material used in lip augmentation to produce a look of fuller lips. Autologen is derived from your own skin and then injected into the lips. Azelaic acid: Anaturally occurring substance found on normal skin that can be used in skin care products to treat mild acne. Benzoyl peroxide: An antibacterial medication used to combat the bacteria that aggravates acne. Beta hydroxy acid: An oil-soluble exfoliant derived from fruit and milk sugars that is commonly found in skin-care products. Beta hydroxy acid is used to treat wrinkles, blackheads and photoaging. Salicylic acid is an example of a beta-hydroxy acid. Blepharoplasty: 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. Breast augmentation: A surgical procedure done to increase breast size Botox: A substance derived from botulinum toxin that works by preventing nerve impulses from reaching the muscle, causing the muscle to relax. 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 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. Cholasma: See melasma Collagen: The major structural proteins in the skin that give the skin its strength and resilience. Copper Peptide: A common ingredient found in skin care products, copper peptide is used to promote and produce collagen and elastin in the skin. Contracture scar: A type of scar in which a permanent tightening of skin occurs, often in response to a burn. This type of scar may affect the underlying muscles and tendons, limiting mobility and possibly damaging the nerves. 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 or devitalized tissue prior to reconstructive or cosmetic surgery. Depilation: The removal of hair. Dermabrasion: A surgical procedure in which a patient’s skin, scarred from acne, pox, or other causes, is frozen and then removed using a high-powered rotating brush Dermalogen: A product derived from human donor tissue that is used in lip augmentation to produce a look of fuller lips. Dermatitis: An inflammation of the skin caused by an allergic reaction or contact with an irritant. Typical symptoms of dermatitis include redness and itching. 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. Eczema: A skin condition characterized 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 your skin and organs. Electrolysis: A hair removal procedure in which chemicals or heat is used to destroy the hair follicle Ephelides: See freckles Epidermis: The outer layer of the skin. The epidermis is also the thinnest layer, responsible for protecting you from the harsh environment. The epidermis is made up of five layers of its own: stratum germinativum, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum and stratum corneum. Exfoliate: To remove the top layer of skin. Chemical peels and dermabrasion are examples of methods in which the skin is exfoliated. Eye lift: See blepharoplasty Face lift: See rhytidectomy Fascia: A type of connective tissue used in lip augmentation to produce fuller lips. This product is made from human donor tissue. 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 and/or muscle is removed from one area of the body to another area damaged by disease or injury. Hemangioma: A type of birthmark characterized by concentrations of small blood vessels. They commonly referred to as strawberry marks and often disappear after a few months or years. 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. Hyperpigmentation: A skin condition in which there is excessive pigmentation, often seen as dark spots on the skin such as café-au-lait spots. 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 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 the only form of Vitamin C that the body or skin can use as far as topical treatments are concerned. Vitamin C is the only antioxidant that has been proven to stimulate the synthesis of collagen. Lentigines: See age spots 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 or implants. Lipoplasty: See liposuction. Liposuction: A cosmetic procedure in which a special instrument called a canula is used to break up and suck out fat from the body. This procedure is also known as lipoplasty. Macrodactyly: A condition that affects children in which the fingers or toes grow abnormally large. Macular stain: A small birthmark that is often nothing more than a small, mild, red blemish on the skin. Mammoplasty: Any reconstructive or cosmetic surgical procedure that alters the size or shape of the breast Mastectomy: The surgical removal of part or all of the breast. Mastopexy: Also called a breast lift, this procedure removes excess skin in order to lift up sagging or drooping breasts. Melanocytes: A pigment producing cell found in the skin, hair and eyes that gives them their color. Melanoma: The most dangerous form of skin cancer. Melanoma can spread rapidly and be fatal if not treated or detected. 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). Neoplasm: A tumor Nevus flammeus: See port-wine stain Otoplasty: A surgical procedure done to correct misshaped or protruding ears. Photoaging: The changes that occur to the skin due to exposure to the sun. This includes wrinkles and age spots. 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. Retinol: A derivative of Vitamin A commonly found in many skin care creams. 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 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. Salicylic acid: See beta hydroxy acid Sallowness: A term used to describe a yellowish color of the skin. Sebaceous glands: The glands of the skin that emit oil into the hair follicles. 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. Sclerotherapy: A medical procedure used to eliminate varicose veins and "spider veins." During the procedure, 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. Stratum corneum: The outer most layer of the epidermis 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. Tretinoin: A prescription drug related to vitamin A used to treat acne and other skin disorders. Varicose vein: Enlarged, twisted veins found near the surface of the skin. Vitiligo: A condition in which smooth white patches appear on the skin due to a loss of pigment producing cells. Winter itch: A condition in which the skin becomes irritated due to a loss of moisture. Winter itch is common in the winter when the air is drier, thus its name.