Aesthetic Treatment
Glossary

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HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound)

Focused ultrasound energy delivered to deeper layers of the skin, including the SMAS layer, to stimulate collagen and firm tissue without surgery. See the treatment →

Radiofrequency (RF)

Energy that gently heats the deeper layers of the skin to stimulate the body's own collagen, used for firming and tightening on the face and body. See the treatment →

RF Microneedling

A treatment combining fine needles with radiofrequency energy, delivering heat into the dermis to remodel scar tissue and firm skin. See the treatment →

Subcision

A technique that releases the fibrous bands tethering a depressed scar to the tissue beneath, allowing the scar to lift. See the treatment →

Ice Pick Scars

Narrow, deep acne scars that extend into the dermis like a small puncture. Because they are deep and narrow, they respond to depth-focused techniques. See the treatment →

Boxcar Scars

Acne scars with sharply defined, vertical walls and a flat base, giving a box-like depression in the skin. See the treatment →

Rolling Scars

Broad, shallow acne scars with sloping edges that give the skin an undulating appearance, usually caused by tethering beneath the surface. See the treatment →

Ablative Laser

A laser that removes the outer layers of skin to prompt renewal. Generally involves more recovery than non-ablative approaches. See the treatment →

Non-Ablative Laser

A laser that heats the deeper skin to stimulate collagen while leaving the surface largely intact, generally with less recovery. See the treatment →

Fractional Laser

A laser that treats the skin in tiny columns rather than the whole surface, leaving untreated skin between to support healing. See the treatment →

Collagen Stimulation

The process by which a treatment prompts the skin to produce new collagen, the protein that gives skin its firmness and structure. See the treatment →

Dermal Filler

An injectable gel used to restore volume or contour. Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers can be dissolved; non-HA fillers cannot. See the treatment →

Hyaluronic Acid (HA)

A substance naturally found in skin, also used in many dermal fillers. HA fillers can be reversed with hyaluronidase. See the treatment →

Hyaluronidase

An enzyme used to dissolve hyaluronic acid filler. It does not dissolve non-HA fillers such as Ellanse or Sculptra. See the treatment →

Collagen-Stimulating Filler

A filler such as poly-L-lactic acid or polycaprolactone that works by prompting collagen rather than adding volume directly. These are not reversed by hyaluronidase. See the treatment →

Pillow Face

An over-filled, rounded appearance that can develop when too much filler is placed over time, blunting natural facial contours. See the treatment →

Skin Laxity

Looseness or reduced firmness of the skin, caused by the natural decline of collagen and elastin with age. See the treatment →

Jowls

Sagging soft tissue along the lower face and jawline that blurs the jaw's definition. See the treatment →

Nasolabial Folds

The lines running from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth, which deepen with volume loss and descent of the mid-face. See the treatment →

SMAS Layer

The superficial musculoaponeurotic system — a deeper layer of connective tissue in the face that surgical facelifts reposition and some energy treatments target. See the treatment →

Blepharoplasty

Surgical eyelid correction. Some energy-based lifting treatments are used as a non-surgical alternative where suitable. See the treatment →

Thread Lift

A procedure using inserted sutures to reposition facial tissue. A threadless approach achieves lift through stimulated tissue tightening instead. See the treatment →

Melasma

A pigmentation condition causing brown or grey-brown patches, commonly on the face, often influenced by hormones and sun exposure. See the treatment →

Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)

Darkening of the skin after inflammation such as acne, more common in darker skin tones. See the treatment →

Post-Inflammatory Erythema (PIE)

Lingering redness after acne, caused by dilated blood vessels rather than pigment. See the treatment →

Diastasis Recti

Separation of the abdominal muscles, commonly after pregnancy. This is a muscular issue and differs from loose skin. See the treatment →

Body Contouring

Non-surgical treatments that refine body shape and firm skin, distinct from weight loss. See the treatment →

Vaginal Laxity

Reduced firmness of the vaginal tissues, which some women notice after childbirth or with age. See the treatment →

Key Opinion Leader (KOL)

A doctor recognised by device manufacturers for expertise, who trains other physicians and speaks on the use of their platforms. See the treatment →

Downtime

The period after a treatment during which visible effects such as redness may be present before returning to normal appearance. See the treatment →