A B C D E F G H I L M N O P R S T U V W
A
Aesthetic surgery - any surgery to improve one's appearance
Aesthetician - a skin care specialist trained in methods to enhance beauty
Abdominoplasty - surgery to remove excess fat and skin from the abdomen
Acne - an inflammatory eruption involving the oil-producing sebaceous glands
Age spot - flat, brown discoloration on the skin that results from overexposure to the sun and aging; also called sunspot or liver spot
Alopecia - loss of hair; can be caused by genetics, disease, malnutrition, or hormone imbalance
Anaesthesia - loss of sensation in the body induced by an anesthetic
Anaesthetic - a compound that reduces the ability to perceive pain; used in surgery to block pain
Anaesthetist - one who adminsters an anesthetic; whether a physician, nurse, or
Antibacterial - any agent that is effective against bacteria
Antibiotic - a drug that is effective against bacteria
Areola - the pigmented area around the nipple
Asymmetric - uneven
Augmentation mammoplasty - the enlargement of the breasts using an artificial implant
B
Beauty mark - a mole or nevus
Benign - not containing cancerous cells
Biopsy - the process of removing tissue form living patients for diagnostic examination
Birthmark - a mole or blemish that is present on the skin at birth
Blemish - any mark or discoloration on the skin that mars the appearance
Blepharoplasty - any operation to correct a defect in the eyelids. In cosmetic surgery, referred to as an eye lift, eyelid correction or eye lift
Botox - a substance derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum; used to temporarily paralyze muscles and treat cross-eyed condition, muscle spasm, excessive sweating, and migraine headaches
Brachioplasty - surgery on the arm: usually the upper arm to remove excess skin and fat
Breast augmentation - surgical placement of breast implants to increase breast size and fullness
Breast implant - a silicone rubber shell filled with either silicone gel or inflated with a saline solution used to enlarge the breast
Breast lift - surgery to remove excess skin and raise the nipple for perkier, fuller breasts; to counteract gravity, loss of elasticity, and sagging; also called mastopexy
Breast reduction - surgery to remove excess skin, breast, and fatty tissue for smaller, shapely breasts, and to reduce back and neck strain
Breast implant removal - surgery to remove implants with or without replacement; for desired changes in proportions, or due to implant-related complications
Breast implant revision - surgery to enhance the appearance of breasts with surgery on the implant pocket, or replacement of the implant itself
C
Canula or cannula - a small, hollow tube used during liposuction surgery to remove fat by suction
Capillary - a tiny blood vessel that connects an artery to a vein
Cartilage - a type of connective tissue
Cellulite - a term used to describe an uneven, "cottage cheese", or dimpled texture to the skin overlying fat; sometimes treated with mechanical massage or mesotherapy
Cervicoplasty - commonly called a neck lift - ; surgery to remove excess skin to improve the neckline, correct "turkey neck", and improve one's profile
Cheek augmentation - a procedure to contour and angle the cheeks using injectable fillers, surgical implants, or grafts
Cheek lift - surgery to raise the middle of the face, the cheek, to enhance cheek and undereye fullness and contour; also called midface lift
Chemical peel - removal of the superficial layers of the skin with a chemical agent to remove wrinkles and age spots and to promote the regrowth of fresh, clearer new skin
Closed rhinoplasty - surgery of the nose without any visible external incisions
Collagen - the major protein of connective tissue that makes up the foundation of skin and other tissues; used as an injectable filler to temporarily plump depressed areas or augment deficient areas of the skin
Cosmetic dentistry - the specialty of dentistry to improve the appearance of the teeth and smile
Cosmetic surgery - an elective procedure performed to reshape normal structures in the body in order to improve appearance
Crow's feet - wrinkles at the outside corners of th eyes, resulting from aging and normal facial expression
Cyst - an abnormal sac containing gas, fluid, or a semisolid material
D
Dental implant - an artificial permanent device placed in the jaw bone to anchor a tooth, crown, or bridge
Dermabrasion - a technique of mechanical buffing or sanding of the skin to remove the superficial layers and improve imperfections such as wrinkles and scars
E
Ear surgery - pinning back of prominent ears or reducing and reshaping overly large or malformed ears; also called otoplasty
Electrolysis - the process of elimination excess hair by inserting a needle into each hair follicle to destory the hair bulb with a weak current of electricity
Enamel - the hard covering of a tooth
Endermologie - a nonsurgical method to reduce the appearance of fat and cellulite involving a series of treatments using heat and mechanical rolling devices for deep massage
Endoscope - a surgical device for seeing inside of the body via small incisions, through a tube with an attached camera and light source;
Endoscopic lift - any surgical lift that is done through an endoscope
Endoscopic surgery - minimal-incision surgery can be performed using tiny cameras and long instruments; typically results in a quicker recovery than surgeries performed with larger incisions
Endoscopy - a technique using an endoscope to view images of the body's internal structures through very small incisions
Epidermis - the outer, protective layer of the skin
Exfoliant - an agent that causes the outer layers of skin cells to slough off
Exfoliation - the removal of upper skin in thin layers
Eyelid ptosis surgery - procedure to raise one or both droopy upper eyelids to restore an alert appearance and possibly improve visual fields
F
Face lift - a surgical procedure to rejuvenate the appearance of the face and neck which reducse jowls under the cheeks and improves the jawline by repositioning muscle and removing excess skin; also called rhytidectomy
Fat transfer - see "fat grafting"
Female genital surgery - surgery to reshape the labia for increased confidence and enhanced sexual experiences; also called "labiaplasty"
Filler (filling agent) - a substance such as collagen, silicone, or one's own fat that is injected beneath the skin to contour, or fill in wrinkles or scars
FRCS - Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons. A professional qualification to practice as a surgeon in the UK and Republic of Ireland
Free radicals - free-floating electrons resulting from oxidation that hve been linked to the aging process, cancer, and autoimmune diseases
Frontalis - a muscle under the skin of the forehead
G
General anesthetic - an anesthetic administered to induce sleep; sometimes referred to as a "general"
Genioplasty - surgery of the chin
Glabella - the smooth area between the eyebrows
Glabellar lines - vertical forehead creases between the eyebrows
Glycolic acid - a fruit acid (AHA) derived from sugar cane, used in superficial chemcial peels
Glycolic peel - the removal of skin surfaces using a fruit acid
Graft - any free living tissue moved from one part of the body to another
Gynecomastia - male breast enlargement; treated with excision or liposuction
H
Hairband incision - a surgical cut in the scalp crossing from ear to ear, used in a coronal browlift
Hair graft - a thin strip of hair-bearing scalp is removed, separated into pieces of 1 to 5 hair follicles, and then implanted into hairless areas
Hair transplant - see "hair graft"
Hair follicle - a deep, narrow canal with its enclosed developing hair
Hirsutism - condition of excess bodily hair
Hooding - an abnormal appearance of the upper eyelid caused by excessive sagging of the eyelid skin
Hyperhidrosis - profuse sweating
Hyperpigmentation - darkening of the skin through overproduction of melanin
Hypoallergenic - designed to reduce the chance of allergic reaction
I
Implant - a surgically placed, permanent device that is used to correct an anatomical deficiency or to create a more desirable appearance
Incision - a cut or surgical wound
Inflammation - redness, swelling, and pain as a result of irritation, injury or infection
Injectable filler - any of several substances used to plump up a depressed area of the skin or lips
L
Labial - pertaining to the lips
Labiaplasty - surgery to reshape the labia
Laser - acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. Used to resurface skin; remove unwanted veins, hair, blemishes, and tattoos; and make incisions that bleed very little.
Laser-assisted liposuction - technology using light energy to break up fat
Laser resurfacing (laser peel) - use of laser to vaporize damaged skin while leaving surrounding tissues undamaged; used to eliminate or modify unsightly skin defects
Lesion - a wound, injury, or pathological change in the tissues, such as a skin growth
Lip augmentation - any procedure that increases the size and definition of the lips; uses temorary or permanent fillers or implants
Lip reduction - any surgery that reduces the size of the upper and / or lower lip by removing a thin strip of tissue
Lip lift - any surgery using a variety of mehtods to raise the edges of the lips and enhance its appearance
Liposuction - removal of fat lying under the skin through the use of a cannula and vacuum
Liposculpture - liposuction through very small cannulas to more precisely contour the site
Lipotransfer - see "fat grafting"
Lipstick bleed lines - deep, vertical lines that radiate around the mouth as one ages, especially in smokers
Local anesthetic - an anesthetic injected to numb the area being treated
M
Mammaplasty - plastic surgery of the breast
Mastectomy - breast removal
Mastopexy - a surgical breast lift that removes extra skin and repositions the nipple in a higher position
Melanin - a pigment in the skin or hair that gives it its tan, brown to black color
Mentoplasty - chin augmentation with an artificial implant
Microdermabrasion - a technique using sand crystals and a vacuum to remove superficial skin cells and improve minor skin imperfections
Moisturiser - an agent that softens and smoothes the skin
Mole - a benign growth on the skin that is usually pigmented; also called a nevus
N
Nasolabial fold - the crease extending from the side of the nostril to the corner of the mouth; smile or laugh lines
Neck lift - surgery to remove excess skin to raise the neckline, correct "turkey neck", and improve one's profile; also called cervicoplasty
Nipple and/or areola reduction - surgery to remove excess skin and tissue of the nipple and / or areaola to provide a more aesthetic appearance
Nipple inversion repair - surgery to correct flat or inverted nipples through a small incision around the areola
Nurse Anesthetist - a nurse trained and specialising in the administration of anesthesia
O
Open rhinoplasty - surgery of the nose involving an incision at the base of the columella between the nostrils
Otoplasty - surgery of the ear to pin back prominent ears or reduce and reshape overly large or malformed ears
Overbite - when the top teeth extend forward more than the bottom teeth when the jaw is closed
Outpatient - a person who receives treatment and who does not need to stay overnight; the term can also be applied to the facility itself (such as outpatient clinic)
P
Pectoralis - the primary muscles of the chest
Perioral - Around the mouth.
Periorbital - Around the eyes
Phenol - a strong chemical solution used to remove deep wrinkles in the skin
Plastic surgery - the branch of surgery dealing with the repair or enhancement of malformed, injured, or lost organs or tissues
Porcelain veneer - a thin covering attached to the surface of the tooth to improve it's appearance
Pore - tiny opening in the skin
Port-wine stain - a congenital overabundance of blood vessels beneath the surface of the skin
Postoperative - refers to a period of recovery and healing that takes place after a surgical procedure
Psoriasis - a chronic skin disease characterized by inflammation and pink or silvery scaly patches
Ptosis - drooping or sagging, commonly referring to eyebrows, eyelids, and breasts
Pulsed light - a beam of light emitted in a short burst of energy
R
Reconstructive surgery - surgical procedures performed on abnormal structures of the body, to improve function and approximate normal appearance
Reduction mammoplasty - surgically reducing the size of the breast by removing extra skin, fat, and breast tissue
Refraction - the act of measuring the degree of error of the power of one's
Rejuvenate - to make youthful
Responsible Officer - the role of Responsible Officer is a new role created under the provisions of the Health and Social Care Act 2008. The Responsible Officer is a senior doctor in a healthcare organisation, such as the medical director. For doctors the Responsible Officer is likely to be from the primary care organisation on whose performers list they are included. The Responsible Officer will have specific responsibilities relating to the evaluation of the fitness to practise of doctors connected with that organisation. Every licensed doctor will be linked with a named Responsible Officer. One of the Responsible Officer's key roles will be to recommend to the GMC whether or not a doctor should be revalidated.
Revalidation - over the next few years, the General Medical Council will be changing the way doctors within the UK are regulated to practise medicine. Revalidation is the process by which licensed doctors will demonstrate to the GMC that they remain up to date and fit to practise.
Rhinoplasty - surgery of the nose;surgery to reshape the nose for a more aesthetically desirable appearance
Rhytidectomy - a facelift; surgery to reduce jowls under the cheeks and improve the jawline and neck for a more youthful look; also called rhytidoplasty
Rosacea - a condition causing flusing, dilated blood vessels, and sometimes acne on the nose and cheeks
S
Saline - salt water; used as replacement fluid during surgery, or in tumescent solution for anesthesia
Scar - a permanent mark containing connective tissue that results from the body's response to injury
Sclerotherapy - a technique for treating dilated veins by injecting a solution that irritates and collapses the vessel
Sebaceous gland - oil producing gland of the skin
Sebum - oil from sebaceous glands
Septoplasty - reconstructive surgery of the nasal septum, used to repair a deviated septum; can improve breathing ability
Septum - a thin wall dividing two cavities, such as between the nose
Skin tag - a benign fleshy growth commonly found on the neck, under the arms, and on the eyelid
Skin resurfacing - a surgical procedure that removes upper skin layers to produce new skin
Spider vein - non-essential superficial dilated veins that lie just beneath the skin
Sunblock - a cream that reflects ultraviolet radiation. Usually containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide
Sunscreen - a cream that absorbs ultraviolet radiation
Suture - to close a wound surgically; the stitch that joins together the edges of an incision
Sweat gland - a gland that secretes perspiration through a pore in the skin
Symmetric - equal and balanced when one side is compared to the other
T
Tattoo - a permanently etched or pigmented mark in the skin
Tummy tuck - repair of abdominal muscle and removal of excess fat and skin to flatten the abdomen, especially beneficial after pregnancy or weight loss; also known as "abdominoplasty"
Turkey neck - excess skin and fat under the chin
U
UVA - ultraviolet light type A, with a wavelength of 320-400nm; causes aging and damage to the elastin and collagen in the skin as well as tanning
UVB - ultraviolet light type B, with a wavelength of 290-320; causes reddening and some tanning of the skin
V
Varicose veins - abnormally dilated or enlarged veins
Vein stripping - the surgical removal of varicose veins
Veneers - a covering applied to the tooth made from porcelain to improve the tooth's appearance
Vitiligo - an autoimmune disorder in which the body attacks the pigment cells and leaves the skin with patchy white areas
W
Wart - a benign lump on the skin caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV)
Widow's peak - a sharp point of hair growth in the midline of the anterior scalp margin. Can occur as a result of the hair line recessing
Wrinkle - a furrow, ridge, line, or crease in the skin; also called a rhytid