A
Abdominoplasty
An abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure that removes extra fat and skin from the middle and lower abdomen. The muscles in the abdominal wall can also be tightened during surgery and an abdominoplasty is generally performed for cosmetic reasons. Abdominoplasties are also often referred to as tummy tucks.
Acne
Acne is a skin condition caused by the excess production of oil from the sebaceous glands and the inflammation of the hair follicles. Acne typically appears on the face, chest and back and occurs when pores become clogged. It is the most common skin condition.
Acne Scar
Scars left behind by acne are often an unfortunate secondary, and lasting, effect of the skin condition, which can leave its marks behind as severe depressions in the skin. Most noticeable on the face, acne scars can last a lifetime if not treated, leading people to develop low self-esteem.
Aesthera PPx
Aesthera PPx uses Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) to deliver quick and painless skin rejuvenation treatments to patients of all ages and skin types. Laser treatments such as these can be highly effective for treating a variety of skin conditions.
Anaesthesia
Medical anaesthesia is when patients experience a loss of sensation induced by drugs. There are several different types of anaesthesia used in surgery and medical settings. Anaesthesia can be induced for a wide range of treatments and situations.
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a type of molecule that can prevent or hinder the oxidation of another molecule. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that is an essential and natural function of the body's molecules; however, it can also produce free radicals which then start chain reactions that can damage other cells.
B
Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty refers to treatments to remove sagging skin from the upper and lower eyelids, as well as tightening the skin around the eyes - resulting in a more youthful and alert appearance.
Brow Lift
Brow lift surgery can restore a more youthful and open appearance to the focal point of the face, by raising brows and eyelids to combat the sagging and wrinkling effects brought on by the ageing process.
Buttock Lift
Buttock lift procedures, known colloquially as 'bum lifts', are treatments to improve contouring and toning of bums and hips by removing excess fat and skin from the buttocks.
C
Calf Augmentation
A calf augmentation is a procedure that is designed to improve the appearance of calves by giving them a more muscular look. This is achieved by the insertion of implants under the calf muscle.
Cannula
In cosmetic surgery terms, a cannula is a hollow tube made of stainless steel that is used, in conjunction with an aspirator (vacuum suction device), to remove fat deposits from beneath the skin during liposuction and fat removal procedures.
Cheek/Chin Augmentation
Cheek or chin augmentation is often carried out to enhance balance, proportion and symmetry in the face.
Chemical Peels
A chemical peel is a treatment used to improve the appearance of facial skin. Chemical peels are often used to treat ageing skin and acne. They can also help to reduce sun damage and hyper pigmentation.
Collagen
Collagen is a structural protein that is the main support of skin, tendon, bone, cartilage and connective tissue. Collagen occurs naturally in the body and is a strong and fibrous substance.
Consultant
Consultants are professionals who are qualified to offer advice in their chosen field of expertise.
Consultation
A consultation is a formal meeting with a doctor, nurse or surgeon. It offers the patient the chance to meet healthcare providers and find out more about upcoming treatments or surgeries.
Crow's Feet
Crow's feet are small wrinkles that appear in the corners of the eyes, and are often identified as one of the first signs of ageing visible in the face. Also known as 'laughter lines', crow's feet are so-called due to their visual resemblance to a bird's footprint.
D
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion is a surgical procedure that abrades, or planes, the skin surface to remove imperfections and minor scarring. This treatment is designed to improve the texture of the skin.
Detox
Detoxification, more commonly known as detox or body cleansing, refers to a number of practices that some people believe will help cleanse the body of harmful toxins.
G
General Anaesthesia
General anaesthesia refers to a state of unconsciousness induced through the use of drugs administered by a qualified professional
Gynaecomastia
Gynaecomastia is a medical term describing excessive growth of breast tissue in men. It is an exclusively male disease and refers to an abnormal growth of the glandular tissue in male breasts and excessive development of the male mammary gland.
H
Haematoma
Haematoma refers to a collection of blood outside of the blood vessels, which gathers in body tissues or cavities.
I
Implants
An implant refers to any type of object or material that is grafted or inserted into the body. There are many different types of implant and they can be used to correct a number of medical or cosmetic faults.
Incision
In medical terms, an incision is a cutting made into body tissues or organs, typically with a scalpel or other fine surgical instrument.
Inflammation
In a surgical context, inflammation refers to the response of body tissues to injury, infection or irritation, and is a protective reaction. This is sometimes referred to as acute inflammation. The symptoms and indicators of inflammation are redness, swelling, pain and sometimes a feeling of heat in the affected area. Occasionally, inflammation can cause a loss of function.
J
Jaw Line
One of the most distinctive areas of the face, the shape of a person's jaw line is a common focus area of cosmetic surgery.
L
Local Anaesthesia
Local anaesthesia is used by surgeons and other medical professionals to induce a loss of sensation in areas being treated, in order to reduce or eliminate pain response and distress.
M
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a gentle non-surgical treatment that exfoliates the top layers of the skin. It is frequently used to treat skin conditions such as sun damage, acne and hyperpigmentation.
O
Obagi Blue Skin Peel
Obagai Blue Skin Peels are a type of skin peel treatment. It is a non surgical procedure that can help rid the skin of blemishes, acne scars, wrinkles, uneven pigmentation and sun damage.
Otoplasty
Otoplasty refers to cosmetic surgery procedures carried out to alter the appearance of a person's ears. Most commonly known as ear reshaping, otoplasty is recognised as one of the oldest cosmetic surgery procedures, with a history dating back to the ancient world.
P
Peels
Because many skin problems are caused by a build-up of dead cells, peels can be highly effective treatments for unclogging pores and rejuvenating the appearance of skin on the face and other areas.
Photo skin analysis
Photo skin analysis is carried out by a skin analysis computer, and can be an effective tool for helping patients identify key areas of their skin that could be improved with non surgical treatments.
Photoaging
Most of the damage inflicted on the skin as people get older is accelerated by prolonged sun exposure. Photoaging is the damage caused by harmful UV radiation, which can result in the appearance of wrinkles, irregular pigmentation, broken blood vessels and loss of skin elasticity. In extreme cases, photoaging is also a leading cause of skin cancers.
Platysmaplasty
Platysmaplasty, also known as a neck lift, is a cosmetic surgery procedure that reduces the appearance of loose or sagging skin in the neck area and beneath the jaw.
Post-operative Care
Post-operative care is an important part of the treatment process for patients undergoing surgery. It helps ensure they achieve the results they expect from procedures, as well as helping patients get back on their feet after more invasive cosmetic surgery.
Ptosis
Ptosis is a medical term referring to the abnormal lowering or drooping of an organ. It is commonly used to refer to conditions of the eyelid, chin or breast tissue.
R
Reconstructive plastic surgery
Reconstructive plastic surgery refers to surgical procedures carried out to restore areas of the body following accidents, trauma or disease, or to correct abnormalities caused by birth defects.
Rhinoplasty
Commonly referred to as nose reshaping, rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure used to improve the function or appearance of the human nose.
Rhytidectomy
Also known as a face lift, rhytidectomy is one of the most common cosmetic surgery procedures. It involves the removal of excess facial skin to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, sagging skin and deep lines.
S
Scar
A scar is a mark left behind after a wound to the body has healed. Scars form when the skin heals itself after an incision or trauma and is formed by fibrous tissue such as collagen.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy, also known as thread vein removal, is a procedure used to treat visible or malformed blood vessels. It is often used for the treatment of thread veins, spider veins or varicose veins. Sclerotheraphy is predominantly administered to the face and legs.
Septoplasty
Septoplasty treatments involve the removal of cartilage from a patient's nasal cavities, to straighten a deviated septum and improve airflow and remove obstructions in the cavities.
Septorhinoplasty
Septorhinoplasty is a plastic surgery procedure to straighten the cartilage and bone in the septum and other areas of the nose with the aim of removing obstructions and improving airflow in the nasal cavities.
Spider Vein
A spider vein is a widened vein that is visible through the surface of the skin. They typically take on a spoke-like formation, hence their name. They are also known as spider telangiectasia.
Subcutaneous
Subcutaneous, literally meaning 'beneath the skin', refers to tissues and operations carried out under the outer skin layer.
Suture
Sutures are devices used by surgeons to hold together body tissues following operations. Surgical sutures are typically carried out with the use of a needle and very fine thread. They are used to close incisions made during a wide range of surgical procedures.
T
Thigh Lift
Thigh lift surgery, also known as thighplasty, is a cosmetic surgery treatment that removes loose or sagging skin from the inner thigh and groin area.
V
Varicose vein
Varicose veins are enlarged veins that most commonly appear on the legs.
VISIA
VISIA® is a complexion analysis system that makes it easier than even before to identify a patient's skin condition and design a unique skin care regime. As well as offering an in-depth analysis of a patient's individual facial characteristics, VISIA® can also be used to plan more effective and personalised rejuvenation treatments to improve the evenness of facial skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles or sun damage.
X
X-rays
X-radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation and was first generated in 1891 by Fernando Sanford, a professor of physics at Stanford University. The use of X-rays for medical purposes was first introduced by Major John Hall-Edwards in Birmingham In 1908.
