Speaking the Language of Skin.

Glossary and Helpful Terms.

Facial treatments, skin care and beauty products are often discussed using language which refers to chemical substances, procedures and medical terminology.  Here you will find a dictionary of the most commonly used expressions.

Autologous Fat: Fat removed from one part of the body for re-injection into another for treatment of wrinkles and folds.

AHA: Alpha hydroxyl acids or AHAs are commonly found in many different concentrations in various products.  The most common types are glycolic, lactic, malic, citric and tartaric acids which remove the topmost layer of the skin for a rejuvenated appearance.

Biodegradable: A material that naturally breaks down in the body, such as hyaluronic acid.

Botulinum Toxin: A neurotoxin which, when used in very low doses, relaxes or temporarily paralyzes the contractive muscles which cause frown lines.  Treatment is non-surgical in the form of injections which smooth deep persistent lines between brows or in the forehead.  Botulinum toxins paralyze facial muscles, whereas hyaluronic acid fills in the space beneath wrinkles.  Each acts in a different way, but may be used to complement each other.

Chemical Peeling: The application of a chemical solution to improve the texture of facial skin by removing its dulled or damaged outer layers.  Phenol, trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and high strength Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) are often used for this purpose.

CE Approved: A CE Mark means that the product complies with the requirements specified in the EU Medical Device Directive and that the product has been approved for sale within Europe.

Collagen: A protein forming the structural grid that holds other skin structures within the middle layer of the skin.

Crow's Feet: These lines radiate outward from the corners of the eyes. Also known as periorbital lines.

Dermabrasion: A technique in which a special instrument exfoliates the upper layers of skin to smooth its surface.

Dermis: The middle layer and support structure of the skin. This layer contains blood vessels, nerve endings, hair follicles, and sweat glands.

Double Cross-Linked Hyaluronic Acid (DXL™): Exclusively found in Puragen™.  DXL technology is a process that allows Puragen to resist the breakdown in the body that is associated with single cross-linked hyaluronic products.

Elastin: A protein in the skin that helps maintain resilience and elasticity.

EMLA: A topical anesthetic which can be applied to a treatment area prior to injection.

Epidermis: The outer layer of the skin.

Facelift: A surgical procedure to remove excess skin, particularly from the lower part of the face and chin.

FDA: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  The FDA regulates the use of all medical devices in the U.S., including injectables and pharmaceuticals.

Forehead Lines: Horizontal lines appearing on the forehead. Also known as worry lines.

Frown Lines: Creases that form between the eyebrows over time. Also known as glabellar lines.

Glabellar Lines: Creases that form between the eyebrows over time. Also known as frown lines.

Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a natural component of connective tissue, including the skin. It plays a critical role in providing volume to skin by retaining water.

Laser Resurfacing: The use of carbon dioxide and erbium lasers to vaporize the undesired skin tissue a layer at a time, revealing the new skin beneath.

Low-level Chronic Irritation: A dermatological term for the constant irritation to which skin is exposed. Examples include environmental pollution, ultraviolet rays and stress.  Together, these factors are the main reasons for the formation of wrinkles and prematurely aged skin.

Marionette Lines: The lines that extend downwards from the corners of the mouth. Also known as oral commissures.

Microdermabrasion: A technique using tiny particles that pass through a vacuum tube which gently abrades the skin surface, smoothing it and stimulating new cell growth.

Microlipoinjection: A procedure which uses autologous fat taken from one body area and re-injected into wrinkles, skin depressions or folds.

Nasolabial Folds: The lines which run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth. Also known as smile lines.

Oral Commissures: The lines that extend downwards from the corners of the mouth. Also known as marionette lines.

Perioral Lines: The fine lines which form on the upper lip. Also known as smoker's lines or vertical lip lines.

Periorbital Lines: Lines which radiate outward from the corners of the eyes. Also known as crow's feet.

Philtrum Ridges: The lines which run from the center of the upper lip towards the nose.

Smile Lines: The lines which run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth. Also known as nasolabial folds.

Smoker's Lines: Fine lines which form on the upper lip. Also known as perioral lines or vertical lip lines.

Subcutis: The inner layer of the skin, also called subcutaneous tissue, consisting mostly of fat which insulates, stores energy and protects inner organs.

Vermilion Border: The outward edge or border around the lip.

Worry Lines: Horizontal lines appearing on the forehead. Also known as forehead lines.

Vertical Lip Lines: Fine lines which form on the upper lip. Also known as smoker's lines or perioral lines.