Glossary of terms
Advanced Botox techniques
Botox is commonly used on the upper face to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. More experienced practitioners can use Botox on other areas of the face particularly the lower face.
You should always enquire on the skill of your practitioner, Oris uses fully trained doctors who understand the full anatomy of the face and can apply their knowledge to refine standard Botox techniques to get the best results for you as an individual.
Benign skin lesion
These are skin growths which are not cancerous, however removal may be desirable due to appearance or position. Common benign skin lesions are papillomas, warts and skin tags.
Cautery
This is a technique where intense heat or cold is delivered to the skin. Intense heat can be delivered using a small wire which can be made red hot.
Chemical peel
Chemical peel uses a chemical solution to improve and smooth the texture of the facial skin by removing its damaged outer layers.
Cosmeceuticals
Cosmeceuticals are cosmetic products with biologically active ingredients purporting to have medical or drug-like benefits. Dermatological research suggests that the bioactive ingredients used in cosmeceuticals do indeed have benefits beyond the traditional moisturiser.
Cosmetic Surgery
This refers to a range of aesthetic techniques used to enhance appearance through surgical and medical means.
Common techniques are;
- The use of Botox injections to relax muscles under aged or wrinkled skin which in turn can help flatten wrinkles or lines on the skin.
- Reshaping where tissue is tightened lifted or reshaped e.g. tummy tucks
- Augmentation where fillers or implants are used to add shape or volume e.g. Dermal fillers or breast Implants.
- Excision where tissue is removed e.g. Mole excision.
- Resurfacing is where a more youthful or regular skin texture is restored by the use of chemical peels or lasers.
Cryotherapy
When intense cold is delivered the procedure is called cryotherapy. Small amounts of liquid nitrogen are applied precisely to a skin lesion which results in that skin lesion shrinking away.
Cyst
A cyst forms when a gland in the skin becomes blocked. When this occurs a small collection of fluid forms a lump under the skin surface. Infection of cysts can occur, usually causing the lump to become larger and more painful.
Dermal fillers
This is where the doctor injects gels into the skin to increase volume or fill out lines and wrinkles, Oris Medical doctors use only the best fillers on the market and are fully trained in how to get the best results.
You need to consider not only who is injecting the filler but are they injecting a filler that is high quality which are likely to cause fewer adverse reactions.
Dermal roller
A dermal roller is a hand held cosmetic device consisting of a many tiny surgical grade needles between 0.2 – 3.0mm in length. As the device is rolled across the skin, tiny channels are formed which in turn encourages the body to naturally produce elastin and collagen. This effect results in the skin regenerating cells and plumping up and fine lines, wrinkles and scarring can greatly be reduced.
Diathermy
Diathermy is a surgical technique where a tiny spark is used instead of the surgeon’s knife to incise through the skin or small skin growths in a very precise way. The advantage of diathermy is that vessels that may bleed when a traditional surgeon’s knife is used are instantly cauterised or sealed at the same time as being cut due to the energy that is delivered by the small spark.
The diathermy machine can be adjusted to deliver just the right amount of energy to cut or destroy a small skin lesion whilst leaving the surrounding skin untouched.
Excision of a skin lesion or Excision Biopsy
A cut or incision is made through the skin and around a skin lesion in an elliptical shape. The edges are usually joined together with stitches which are usually removed after a week.
Commonly this technique is also used when the skin lesion needs to be completely removed along with an area of normal skin around it to ensure it doesn’t reoccur.
In areas of the face where there are natural lines or wrinkles it may be better to remove a skin lesion with an excision and hide any resulting mark or scar in a natural line of the skin.
Facial rejuvenation
This is where a range of treatments and techniques are used to combat the signs of facial aging.
This includes reducing the appearance of wrinkles and lines with muscle relaxant or filler injections. Reshaping or re-volumising the face to combat the effects of aging, or resurfacing the skin to remove coloration irregularities or signs of age.
Histology
This is the study of cells or tissues that are removed under a microscope. Commonly benign skin lesions are sent for this study if there is significant reason to doubt the initial benign diagnosis.
Trained scientists make small slices through the skin lesion or biopsy and look at each of these in turn under a powerful microscope in a time consuming process.
It tends to take up to a few weeks before the results are available.
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring component of the skin that functions by holding together collagen and elastin, providing a framework for the skin. When injected into the skin in gel form, hyaluronic acid binds to water and provides volume to easily fill in larger folds of skin around the mouth and cheeks.
Incision
This is the medical term used when you cut into something.
Keratosis
This is a layer of thickened skin that is dry and flaky.
In older age groups it is commonly found on the back of hands or the scalp and is a sign and symptom of sun damage; this is called solar keratosis.
Local anaesthetic
This is the process where the nerves of a small area of skin are numbed by either a cream or an injection.
The anaesthetic used to numb the skin takes seconds to work and lasts for up to an hour after the procedure. Usually an initial scratch is all that you will feel and the procedure is then totally pain free.
Certain cosmetic surgical procedures use local anaesthetic to numb the area before the procedure starts, such as when your surgeon removes a skin tag or other skin lesions.
Other aesthetic medical products particularly dermal fillers such as Juvederm Ultra contain a use local anaesthetic to make you more comfortable during the procedure.
When local anaesthetic is used you are always fully awake and only the area being treated is numbed.
Male Botox techniques
Men have larger, more defined facial muscles, Oris Doctors can adjust standard Botox techniques for the male face to get the best results.
Malignant skin lesions
These are lesions that can arise on the surface of the skin usually on sun damaged skin in exposed areas.
Unfortunately they could spread to other areas of the body or invade other structures around the nose or eyes which need to be removed by an expert.
Oris Surgical would advise that these lesions are removed only by suitably experienced surgeons or dermatologists in a method that adheres to the recognised guidelines published by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence or the British Dermatology Society.
Occasionally, due to good practice and as a precaution, skin lesions removed for cosmetic reasons may be sent for tests in a laboratory. If it is found that a lesion which was initially thought to be benign is in fact malignant, it may be necessary to remove an additional margin of normal tissue around the area in a second procedure to ensure the lesion does not spread or reoccur.
Mole
A mole is a concentrated cluster of pigment cells. These pigment cells are normally found spread out throughout your skin and give your skin its colour. Most people have 10 or more moles.
If a mole appears later in life, or a longstanding mole changes its appearance, itches or bleeds it is sensible to get it checked by a doctor. In these circumstances it is important to ensure that the changes are not a sign of malignant/cancerous mole.
Micro needling
Micro needling is another term used for dermal roller treatment. It uses a hand held cosmetic device consisting of a many tiny surgical grade needles between 0.2 – 3.0mm in length. As the device is rolled across the skin, tiny channels are formed which in turn encourages the body to naturally produce elastin and collagen. This effect results in the skin regenerating cells and plumping up and fine lines, wrinkles and scarring can greatly be reduced.
Milia
Milia occur when very small skin glands become blocked very near the very surface of the skin. This results in small lesions the size of a pinhead. These are commonly white or off white in colour and can be found in groups. They are often found around the eye area. They can be removed very easily with great cosmetic results.
Minor Surgery
This is the term used to describe small operations and procedures. These are usually performed under local anaesthetic (you remain conscious but the area around the operation site is numbed).
Papilomma
These are fleshy tags of skin that are pedunculated (have a stalk), they are benign (non cancerous) and can be safely left for years. They can grow up to the size of a grape or be present in an area of the body that causes them to catch on clothes or just get in the way.
Plastic Surgery
Plastic Surgery is the medical specialty concerned with the correction or restoration of form. The word “plastic” derives from the Greek plastikos meaning to mold or to shape. Cosmetic Surgery is a branch of Plastic Surgery as is Reconstructive surgery.
Sculptra
Sculptra is a new facial injectable made from poly-L-lactic acid which helps to replace lost collagen. It helps to fill out the face and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles which appear with ageing.
Sebaceous cyst
This is a cyst which forms when a sebaceous gland in the skin becomes blocked. Sebaceous fluid is usually released onto the surface of the skin as a natural oil. These cysts are commonly found where the skin is thick and oily such as the scalp. Sebaceous cysts can become infected.
Sebaceous cysts can grow in size and become troublesome. They can easily be excised under local anaesthetic.
Shave Excision
This is a technique where your surgeon uses a very sharp scalpel to cut a wide based lesion at the skin surface. This technique is great for use on benign skin lesions and means that no stitches are needed.
A shave excision cuts across the base of the skin lesion and not into the skin, the resulting area underneath the shave may need to be cauterised with a diathermy device.
In good hands the cosmetic results of removing a skin lesion with a shave excision are usually excellent. The body essentially heals itself by forming a small scab, under which new skin forms. The scab falls off in a week or so and a small reddened area is seen. This is easily covered up by cosmetics until it slowly fades to a more normal skin colour over the next few months.
Signs of facial aging
As we age our faces change shape in specific ways, Our skin and lips get thinner, tissue around the eyes and cheek bones sag and a reduction of volume causes characteristic lines and folds in the skin.
Some facial lines associated with aging are; nasolabial lines these are on each side of the face from the corner of the nose to the corner of the mouth, marionette lines which are the lines sloping downwards from the corners of the mouth. As the facial tissue drops with age and gravity excess tissue collects along the jaw line this is commonly known as Jowls.
Lines develop on the forehead as they do on the brow and around the eyes.
The surface of the skin can also change; this is usually due to sun damage and general wear and tear leaving areas of redness, rough skin or increased pigmentation.
Skin Lesion
This is the common medical term that describes most lumps, bumps, discolorations and growths on the skin.
Skin Tag
Skin tags are small, benign (non Cancerous) fleshy growths medically known as Achrocordons. They are present in almost 50% of adults, commonly found around your neck, under your arms, in your groin or around your chest.
Skin tags can be safely left for years they but they can grow up to the size of a grape or be present in an area of the body that causes them to catch on clothes or just get in the way.
Surgical Excision
This is the medical term used when something is cut off or removed.
Thread veins
When a small blood vessel on the surface of the skin is damaged by the cold, the wind or just bursts, a flare of very small vessels can be seen. Because these vessels carry blood in tiny amounts they can look red, purple or blue and as they are on the surface of the skin they are easily seen.
They are common on the face around the nose and cheeks especially in people who have ‘ruddy’ complexions or who spend time outdoors exposed to the elements. People who stand for a period of time or who may have knocked their legs can have quite large areas of thread veins on their legs.
Vasectomy
A vasectomy or ‘male sterilisation’ is a simple and reliable method of contraception. It should be considered a permanent form of contraception and patients must be sure they don’t want to conceive any more children.
During a conventional vasectomy, the skin of your scrotum will first be numbed with local anaesthetic. Two small incisions, about 1cm long, are made on each side of your scrotum.
The incisions in your scrotum allows the surgeon to access the vas deferens (the tubes that carry sperm out of your testicles). Each tube will be cut and the ends of the tubes are then closed by tying a stitch around each end.
The skin incisions are also stitched up, usually using dissolvable stitches, which will disappear naturally within about a week.
The Non Scalpel Vasectomy is the modern procedure of choice for most patients wanting a vasectomy. The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic which numbs the small insensitive area on the front of the scrotum, after numbing the skin a small nick is created; through this tiny port the vasectomy is performed on both tubes.
The operation usually takes less than 15 minutes you will be fully awake at all times but you should not experience any discomfort during the procedure.
It is essential that you check the qualifications of your surgeon and what technique they use. Some consultant surgeons still use the traditional vasectomy technique where a scalpel or knife is used to make cuts on both sides of the scrotum. Commonly the skin needs to be stitched together afterwards and this technique carries more complications, pain and problems for the patient afterwards.
Your surgeon should ideally be approved as a vasectomist by the Faculty of Family Planning or be a member of the British Association of Non Scalpel Vasectomists.
Wart
Warts are very common. They appear in all age groups but most commonly during childhood. They are usually present for a year or more then disappear. They can spread from one part of the body to another and are thought to be caused by a virus (human papilloma virus).
They can be treated with ointments, intense cold (cryotherapy) or heat (cautery) or excised surgically.
It is common to need multiple treatments for stubborn warts and unfortunately they can reoccur.
