Liposuction
A cosmetic surgery treatment in which fat is removed from the face and or body through an incision in the skin.
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Lidocaine
A local anaesthetic applied topically to the skin. Also known as xylocaine.
Lesion
A sore on the skin caused by disease or injury.
Lactic Acid
A natural substance in the skin and muscles. Lactic acid is a fuel for the muscles, producing it from glucose, and they burn it to obtain energy. The reason trained athletes can perform so hard and so long is because … Continue reading
Keloid Scar
An overly enlarged scar – this is more common in darker skin types. They have be very small and very large. Most can be removed by surgery.
Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is when darker patches occur on the skin. This can be caused by hormones, skin injury or sun exposure. It commonly occurs on Asian skin.
Hyaluronic acid
Another important and innovative ingredient in skin care is hyaluronic acid. A large sugar-like molecule found in every tissue of the body, hyaluronic acid is particularly important to the skins extracellular matrix, where it attracts and binds with water and … Continue reading
Hair Follicle
Areas in the skin in which the hair shaft and sebaceous glands are found.
Growth Factors
Growth factors are proteins that repair and preserve tissue and stimulate production.
Fibroblast
A cell from which skin tissue develops.
Dermabrasion
A non-surgical skin resurfacing procedure in which a top layer of the skin is removed.
Cryosurgery
An operation, using a freezing technique, which can be major or minor, to remove tissue such as a mole or a skin tag or other.
Cosmeceutical
Usually a wrinkle cream that has sophisticated ingredients far beyond a run-of-the mill product.
Collagen
The protein in the skin that makes it look youthful and radiant.
Chemical Peel
A solution, applied to the skin, that causes the top layers to peel off. These can be made of fruit acids and can be very strong or mild, depending on the individual requirement.
Cellulite
Deposits of dimpled fat just beneath the skin that usually only affects females. Cellulite can be reduced by diet and exercise.
Blepharaplasty
Cosmetic surgery of the upper and lower eyelid
Brachioplasty
A cosmetic surgery operation to remove excess fat from the upper arms
Botox
This is the brand name for a form of botulinum toxin that is injected into muscles to bring about temporary and partial paralysis – this helps eliminate wrinkle lines around the eyes, forehead and neck. Botox is also used in … Continue reading
Salicylic Acid
Also known as Beta hydroxy acid this is a mild exfoliant that helps peel off dead layers of the skin. Beware if you have an aspirin allergy as it may cause a serious swelling reaction.
Beta Hydroxy Acid
Also known as Salicylic acid this is a mild exfoliant that helps peel off dead layers of the skin. Beware if you have an aspirin allergy.
Antibiotic
Antibiotics are medicine that kill bacteria or slow the growth of bacteria. They are used to cure diseases. Penicillin, pictured, is a popular antibiotic. Antibiotics can not stop a virus.
Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA)
These are a group of acids found in foods such as milk and fruit, and can be applied to the skin to remove dead cells and improve skin texture. The tropical fruit papaya is very rich in AHA.
Alopecia
A particular hairloss condition which usually results in total hairloss
Allergen
Substance that causes an allergic reaction, such as pollen pictured right.