Dictionary

abdominoplasty: During an abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, a surgeon removes extra fat and skin from the abdomen.

alopecia areata: Describes hair loss, usually on the head, and is commonly referred to as spot baldness. This type of baldness is a result of autoimmune problems.

anesthesiologist: A specialist who deals with anesthetic.
 
anesthetic: Any substance that causes numbness or a lack of awareness. Local anesthetic renders part of the body insensitive to pain. General anesthetic allows people to sleep through operations.
 
androgenetic alopecia: Also known as male-pattern baldness.Hair loss that starts at the beginning of the temples and progresses back in a typical pattern, although androgenetic alopecia can occur in both men and women.
 
asymmetrical: Not symmetrical. Describes when half of an object or person is not identical to the other half.
 
autologous: Describes when a person donates their own blood for their own use in future transfusions.

BOTOX®: BOTOX® is a highly toxic poison that is used to temporarily reduce the number of deep wrinkles around the mouth, around the eyes, by the nose, and on the forehead.

browplasty: Also known as a forehead lift. A surgical procedure to remove deep wrinkles on the forehead and/or to move a drooping eyebrow farther up on the face to improve vision.
 
breast augmentation: The process of adding implants to the breast to make the breast larger.
 
breathing: The act of drawing air into the lungs. Deformities in the mouth or nose may interfere with breathing.

buttock augmentation: A buttock augmentation changes the shape of the buttock by lifting the buttock or by adding implants to the buttock.

cartilage: The rubbery materials between bones that helps joints move easily. Cartilage is also found in ears and in the larynx.
 
cartilage grafts: Cartilage implanted in the nose during a nose job to strengthen and shape the nose.
 
cast: A hard shell of bandages and plaster that protects an injured or broken body part.

cellulite: Dimples or pockets of fatty and fibrous tissue deposits that are located just below the skin in areas such as the thighs and the buttocks. Fat cells reside in chambers that are surrounded by bands of connective tissue called septae. When water is retained fat cells that are held within the perimeters of this area expand and stretch the tissue. Eventually the connective tissue hardens holding the skin at a non-flexible length. When the surrounding tissue continues to expand with weight (or water) gain it results in an outward bulge.

chemical peel: A chemical peel uses acids to remove old skin from the face, resulting a smoother and more youthful appearance.

chin augmentation: Chin augmentation, using chin implants, changes the structure and balance of the face.
 
closed rhinoplasty: A rhinoplasty procedure where surgery is performed through a small incision inside the nose.
 
collagen: An important protein in the body that helps provide support and strength to the skin and other parts of the body.
 
columella: The part of the nasal septum separating the two nostrils.
 
cosmetic: When applied to surgery, describes a procedure performed to improve appearance, usually (but not always) lacking a medical reason for the procedure.

cosmetic gum surgery: Surgery is performed to make a smile more attractive by changing the ratio of visible gum versus teeth in a mouth.

dental implant: A dental implant acts as a root for a false tooth, holding the tooth in place.

dermabrasion: Dermabrasion uses a "sanding process" to get rid of appearance problems on the face such acne scars, sun damage and aging spots, resulting in smoother skin.

diastema: The space between neighboring teeth.
 
dorsal bone: The bridge of the nose.
 
edema: Tissue swelling due to fluid accumulation.
 
elective surgery: Surgery that is being performed even though it may not be required for emergency or even true medical purposes.
 
ethnic rhinoplasty: Rhinoplasty that takes into consideration ethnical nose characteristics.