When it comes to beauty, it seems like there are an endless amount of terms, molecules, and treatments to remember. It can be tough to sort through any information while misunderstanding much of the language. That’s why we’d like to provide this glossary of important beauty terms.
These terms we find crucial to understanding modern beauty treatments and techniques. Having a better grasp of these words and phrases will help you better understand how medical cosmetic treatments assist with popular aesthetic concerns and needs.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids – a chemical compound that consists of carboxylic acid substituted with hydroxyl group on the adjacent carbon. It is often used in anti-aging creams and chemical peels for its ability to promote the production of collagen and help reduce blemishes and wrinkles.
Anti-Oxidants – Any molecule that inhibits the oxidation of other molecules that transfers electrons or hydrogen from one substance to an oxidizing agents. They are extremely helpful in fighting free radicals and can be found in healthy foods such as blueberries, salmon, and dark chocolate.
Dermabrasion – Often used to treat and improve the sight of scarring from accidents, surgery, or acne, dermabrasion is a procedure where the top layers of skin are surgically scraped to smooth the sharp layers of skin. This reveals a smoother appearance for the skin.
Epidermis – Usually referred to as skin, the epidermis composes the outermost layers of skin.
Epidermal Stem Cells – Stem cells are important for proper skin function, they generate cell growth in the body as needed. The use of stem cells in topical skincare products has become increasingly popular. Plant stem cells are the most commonly used because of their superior antioxidant properties. These products will not necessarily replace or put stem cells into the skin, but they work by protecting and stimulating epidermal skin cells for enhanced healing and skin rejuvenation.
Fitzpatrick Scale – a numerical classification schema for the color of skin. Developed by Thomas B. Fitzpatrick in 1975, it was a better was to classify the response of different skin types to UV light. The scale is still used today by dermatologists and plastic surgeons to help determine skin tones for laser treatments, IPL, and other procedures.
Free Radicals – An atom, molecule or ion that has an unpaired valence electrons or an open electron shell. These are theorized to be the main cause of premature aging in the body. They are found everywhere but more commonly in unhealthy activities such as smoking, drinking, and junk food.
Glycolic Acid – A type of alpha hydroxy acid is is found in many skin peeling products as its very helpful in the removal of dead skin cells from the surface of the skin.
HIPAA – The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, signed and enacted in 1996 enforces privacy rules for individual’s health information while encouraging for the widespread use of electronic data interchange in the US health care system.
Hyaluronic Acid – A natural substance in the body, it helps act as a cushion and lubricant between joints and tissue. In plastic surgery, it can be injected into a patient’s lips or any area in need of more volume, such as the cheeks for facial rejuvenation as a natural filler.
Open/Closed Rhinoplasty – There are two main types of rhinoplasties. While both involve surgery to help shape and reconstruct the cartilage of the nose, an open rhinoplasty makes a small incision at the collumella, the small column of skin separating the two nostrils. This incision allows for the doctor to lift the nasal skin over the tip of the nose. A closed rhinoplasty does not make this incision leaving all exposed tissue in tact.
Phi Mask – Created by Stephen R Marquardt, also referred to the “Beauty Mask” or “Facial Mask,” it is a practice that uses mathematics to measure the ratios of beauty. The mask uses a pentagon and decagon as a foundation to measure a symmetrical face that is more apt to attract the eyes of humans. Dr. Dayan has updated this mask to a unique version to help dictate ideal proportions during a Subliminal Difference procedure.
Skin Tightening – A cosmetic surgery procedure that helps tighten and smooth out wrinkled areas of the skin. More than reducing wrinkles, the procedure promotes new collagen growth deep within the skin to reduce the sight of wrinkles.
