Dermatology Glossary of Terms:

Aesthetics: The science and study of beauty.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids: Acids derived from fruit and milk sugars and used in certain creams and lotions. Alpha Hydroxy Acids are believed to reduce spots, wrinkles, and other signs of aging, sun-damaged skin.

Anti-inflammatory: Something that reduces inflammation by acting on the body’s normal responses without directly affecting the cause.

Biocompatible: The ability of a substance to interact with the body without harmful effects.

Biodegradable: The ability to dissolve by natural means.

Botox® Cosmetic (Botulinum Toxin Type A): A purified protein produced by the clostridium botulinum bacteria, which reduces the activity of muscles that can cause frown lines.

Collagen: The major fibers of protein found in connective tissue, cartilage and bone.

Commissures: Corners or angles of the lips or eye.

Cryotherapy: The medical use of freezing cold to destroy tissue, such as tumors, moles or warts.

Dermabrasion: A procedure performed with an abrasive wheel or brushes, to wear away the upper layers of skin and improve irregularities in the skin surface, such as acne scars or chicken pox marks.

Dermal: Relating to the skin or dermis.

Dermal Filler: A substance injected into the skin to restore volume to the skin and smooth out facial wrinkles.

Dermis: The “middle portion” of the skin, containing nerves, blood vessels, oil glands, and hair follicles.

Elastin: A protein in the middle layer of the skin that helps maintain resilience and elasticity.

Epidermis: The outermost layer of the skin that serves as a tough, waterproof protection.

Fitzpatrick Skin Types: A scale that divides skin into six different types.

Type I: White skin that never tans and always burns easily.

Type II: White skin that tans slightly and always burns easily.

Type III: Light brown skin that tans gradually and can burn moderately.

Type IV: Moderately brown skin that tans well and burns slightly.

Type V: Dark brown skin that tans profusely and burns rarely.

Type VI: Black skin with deep pigmentation that never burns.

Furrows: Deep narrow grooves or deep wrinkles in the skin, most often caused by repeated frowning, squinting and other facial expressions.

Glabellar Creases: Creases in the forehead between the brows. These are also called “frown lines.”

Hyaluronic Acid: A substance found in the connective tissue of the body that cushions and lubricates. Hyaluronic acid also creates volume in the face, giving it a healthy, youthful appearance.

Hydrophilic: Attracting or associating with water.

Isovolemic Degradation: The process by which a substance dissolves as each molecule progressively binds with more water.

Laser: A device that concentrates high amounts of energy into a beam of radiation.

Laugh Lines: A loss of volume in fatty tissue between the mouth and cheeks that creates lines or ridges.

Marionette Lines: Lines going down from either side of the mouth. Also known as “oral commissures.”

Microdermabrasion: The use of aluminum oxide crystals, which are blown against the skin and removed, to eliminate the outer layer of the skin and stimulate growth factors.

NASHA™ (Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid): Hyaluronic acid that does not come from animal parts.

Nasolabial Folds: Ridges or edges that appear from the root of the nose to the angle of the mouth.

Non-steroidal: Not containing steroids, the family of chemical substances found in many hormones, body constituents, and drugs.

Oral Commissures: Lines going down from either side of the mouth. This is also known as “Marionette Lines.”

Photoaging: Damage from sun exposure over time, especially skin wrinkles.

Pre-testing: Testing done before a procedure to determine if any allergic reactions might occur.

Restylane®: A dermal filler that restores volume to the skin, giving a smoother, more youthful appearance.

Retinoids: Any of a group of natural or human-made substances similar to Vitamin A. Retinoids are useful in treating acne, aging skin, psoriasis and certain skin cancers.

Skin: The protective covering of the body.

St. John’s Wort: A long-living, wild-growing plant with yellow flowers. The plant’s extracts have been used for centuries to try to treat mental disorders and nerve pain.

Sun Protection Factor (SPF): How many times longer a person wearing (that particular) sunscreen can stay in the sun before beginning to burn vs. without any sunscreen at all.

Ultraviolet Rays (UV rays): An invisible form of radiation found in sunlight that can change and damage skin cells which can lead to sunburn, premature wrinkles, skin cancer and other skin problems.

Vermillion Border: The area where the red or pink lip border meets the skin.

Wrinkles: A ridge on the skin caused by age, fatigue, or other reasons.