Dermatologic surgical conditions and their treatments

Glossary of Terms 

Ambulatory Phlebectomy
Removal of undesired varicose and spider leg veins via a series of tiny incisions along the path of an enlarged vein.

Anesthesia
Loss of physical sensation from sedation

  • General: affecting the entire body and accompanied by loss of consciousness
  • Regional: affecting a region of the body
  • Local: affecting a limited and usually superficial area of the body

BlepharoplastyUpper and lower eyelid surgery to remove loose skin and excess fatty tissue.

Botulinum Toxin  
Botulinum toxin injections are used primarily to paralyze certain facial muscles which cause frown lines, crows feet and other wrinkles. It works by relaxing the underlying facial muscles that help form wrinkles, an effect that lasts for 3-4 months. It also is used to improve neck lines and control excessive sweating.

Chemical Peeling 
Application of a chemical solution to remove the outer layer of skin to treat fine lines, wrinkles, mild scarring, acne, skin discoloration and pre-cancerous growths.

Cosmeceuticals
Topically applied products containing ingredients that influence the biological function of the skin; they improve appearance by delivering nutrients for healthier skin.

Cosmetic Surgery
Aesthetic procedures to improve and rejuvenate the appearance of the skin, e.g., laser resurfacing, wrinkle fillers, liposuctionchemical peeling.

Cryosurgery
Freezing the skin tissue with liquid nitrogen to remove skin growths. View the Dermatologic surgery fact sheet for more information.

Curettage and Dessication
Use of a sharp instrument to scrape away skin tissue, followed by application of a heated electric needle to destroy skin growths. View the Dermatologic surgery fact sheet for more information.

Dermabrasion
Surgical sanding or planing of the outer layer of skin to improve acne and other scarsremove tattoos and minimize age spotswrinkles and certain types of skin growths.

Dermal Filler Injections
Filler substances are generally used to "plump up" and minimize wrinkles, furrows and hollows in the face, correct depressions and scars, and enhance the definition of the lips. Filler substances include collagen, one’s own fat, hyaluronic acid (Restylane® and Hylaform®), plastic microbeads and liquid silicone.

Excision and Closure
Cutting into the skin to remove a growth and then closing the wound with stitches. View the Dermatologic surgery fact sheet for more information.

Flap Surgery
Transfer of adjacent skin tissue, often used to move hair-bearing skin to cover balding areas of the scalp.

Grafting
Surgical transplantation of skin to repair a defect.

Hair Restoration Surgery
A variety of techniques, such as punch transplanting, mini- and micro-grafts, scalp reduction and skin flaps, to correct baldness and restore a person's natural hairline.

Laser or Light Therapy
A beam of laser or light directed at a site to cut, seal or vaporize skin tissue and blood vessels. Laser therapy is used to rejuvenate aging and sun-damaged skin by resurfacing wrinkles and lines; selectively eliminate tissue abnormalities such as vascular and pigmented skin lesions and tattoos; improve scars and stretch marks; erase spider veins and birthmarks; remove unwanted facial and body hair.

Laser Hair Removal
Various laser and light-based systems are utilized for efficient and long-lasting hair removal. The laser light energy causes thermal damage to the hair follicle, thus stunting regrowth.

LipoatrophyLoss of or redistribution of subcutaneous fat in the body resulting in changes in bodily conformation.

Liposuction 
 Liposuction is the removal of excess fat with a cannula, a small, straw-like instrument, attached to a suction machine. The use of tumescent (local anesthesia) liposuction allows dermatologic surgeons to safely and effectively remove deep and superficial layers of undesired fat in an office facility with relatively little discomfort, virtually no complications and improved cosmetic results.

Microdermabrasion
A non-invasive facial rejuvenation treatment that uses micro-particles to abrade and rub off the top skin layer, vacuuming out the particles of dead skin.

Microlipoinjection
A form of soft tissue augmentation using one's own fat to fill and contour wrinkles, folds and depressions resulting from aging, sun-damage, injury or surgery. View the Micro Lipoinjection fact sheet for more information.

Micropigmentation
A permanent method of implanting pigment into the skin to add color for the treatment of vitiligo, skin grafts or burn scars and for cosmetic purposes.

Mohs Surgery
Precise removal of skin cancer, layer by layer, with the aid of a microscope.

Nail Surgery
Removal or repair of a nail abnormality for the purposes of diagnosis and/or treatment.

Nonablative Skin Rejuvenation
Non-wounding laser, intense pulsed light and other technologies work beneath the surface skin layer to stimulate collagen production, tone and tighten skin and improve mild to moderate skin damage.

Resurfacing
Using techniques such as chemical peelslaser therapy or microdermabrasion, resurfacing procedures are designed to remove or buff the top layers of aged, discolored or irregular skin. Fresh skin is then generated, which is typically smoother, has less wrinkles and is more even in color.

SclerotherapyInjection of a solution to remove unwanted varicose and spider leg veins.

Soft Tissue Fillers
Filler substances are generally used to "plump up" and minimize wrinkles, furrows and hollows in the face, giving the skin a smoother and more pleasing appearance. Fillers such as bovine collagen and related materials, one's own fat and polymer implants are effective for contouring specific facial sites and correcting depressions and scars.

Tissue Expansion
A technique used to close large surgical wounds and aid in reconstructive surgery.

Topical Treatments
Skin care products that contain drugs, such as retinoids, alpha or beta hydroxyl or other active ingredients that have a biologic effect on living tissue.

Vein Treatment 
Procedures used to minimize or remove varicose and spider veins, most typically on the face or legs. Procedures include:

 

 

 

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