Glossary of Terms

Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

BOTOX® Botulinum Toxin: Injected to temporarily relax facial muscles to eliminate wrinkles for three to six months

Cheek/Chin Augmentation: Surgery where implants are placed in the cheeks or chin to improve bone structure and support sagging, soft tissues

Chemical Peels: Resurfacing of the skin with an acid solution that peels the top layers and allows smoother, regenerated skin to emerge; an effective treatment for wrinkles caused by sun damage, mild scarring, and certain types of acne

Collagen Implant: An injection of natural protein which raises skin tissue to smooth skin and make wrinkles and scars appear less visible

Dermabrasion: A facial sanding technique used to treat deep scars and wrinkles, raised scar tissue, and some severe cases of cystic acne; top layers of skin are “sanded” off with a high-speed rotating brush or a diamond-coated wheel

Facial Reconstruction: Surgery to repair or reconstruct facial features in victims of cancer, facial trauma and birth defects

Filler Injections: Most commonly collagen — a gel like substance derived from purified animal tissue, and fat — which is harvested from the patients thigh or abdomen and then injected to plump up facial areas or “fill” wrinkled areas (see also BOTOX®)

Forehead Lift: Surgery to minimize forehead lines and wrinkles, and to elevate brows to reduce lid drooping

Hair Replacement: Surgery to redistribute hair to hide the appearance of hair loss

Laser Resurfacing/Laserbrasion Surgery: Light beams vaporize top layers of the skin to lessen the appearance of wrinkles, scars, birthmarks or to generally resurface facial skin

Liposuction: Surgery to reduce excess fatty deposits

Mentoplasty: Surgery to balance a profile by enlarging, reducing or reshaping the chin

Microdermabrasion: A mini-peeling with minimal risk of dyspigmentation or scarring that is achieved by projecting aluminum micro-crystals onto the skin (also referred as the “Power Peel,” “Euro Peel”, “Parisian Peel” and “Derma Peel”); safe for all skin types

Mini-Or-Micro-Grafting: A hair replacement technique where transplanted pieces of hair-bearing skin that are placed between the original “plugs” to refine the overall appearance

Orthognathic Surgery: To alleviate problems with a patient's “bite” or jaw alignment (performed in cooperation with a patient's dentist, orthodontist or oral maxillofacial surgeon)

Otoplasty: Surgery of the ear where protruding or deformed ears can be “pinned back” by reshaping the cartilage

Rhinoplasty: Aesthetic surgery of the nose where cartilage and bone are reshaped and reconstructed; excess bone or cartilage may be removed

Rhytidectomy: Facelift surgery where excess skin is removed and muscles are tightened

Scalp Flap Surgery: A hair replacement method that involves rotating strips of hair-bearing scalp from the side and back of the head to the front and top; restores the hairline while maintaining normal hair density

Scalp Reduction Surgery: Surgery to reduce the size of the bald area

Scar Revision Surgery: Procedures to help minimize visible facial scars

Septorhinoplasty: A form of rhinoplasty that is performed to reconstruct the nasal passage or to relieve obstructions inside the nose to correct breathing problems; the obstruction is removed through internal incisions and the interior of the nose is restructured

Skin Resurfacing: Removal of the outer layer of the skin using abrasion, chemicals or a laser, resulting in smoother and less wrinkled skin