- Acne scar
- A mark left on the skin after acne has healed, in the form of a depression, a raised scar or a colour change. Depressed scars and colour changes are treated with different methods; which method is suitable is decided after a consultation.
- Chemical Peels · Dark Spots and Melasma
- AHA (alpha hydroxy acid)
- A group of acids, such as glycolic acid and lactic acid, that make it easier for dead cells in the top layer of the skin to shed. They are used at low concentrations in skincare products and at higher concentrations in chemical peels. Because they can increase sun sensitivity, sun protection is important.
- Chemical Peels
- Anaphylaxis
- A severe, sudden allergic reaction that can involve shortness of breath, a widespread itchy rash, swelling of the face and lips, and a drop in blood pressure. It is rare but requires emergency medical treatment; if these symptoms occur, call 112 (or your local emergency number) immediately. This is why it is important for the procedure to be performed in a setting prepared for emergencies.
- A 10-Point Safety Checklist for Choosing a Clinic and Doctor for Medical Aesthetics
- BHA (beta hydroxy acid)
- A group of acids, the best known of which is salicylic acid, that can reach inside the pores because they are oil-soluble. They are used in skincare products and chemical peels for oily and acne-prone skin.
- Chemical Peels
- Biostimulator
- The general name for injectable substances placed under the skin to stimulate the skin's own collagen production. Their effect appears more slowly than that of fillers; suitability and possible side effects are assessed at a physician's consultation.
- Hyaluronic Acid Filler
- Botulinum toxin
- An active substance long used in medicine that temporarily reduces the nerve signal to a muscle; commonly called “botox”. In aesthetics it is injected in very small doses to soften lines created by the muscles of facial expression, and its effect wears off over time.
- Botulinum Toxin (Commonly Called “botox”) · Rumour
- Cannula
- A thin, flexible, tube-shaped injection instrument with a blunt (rounded) tip. It may be preferred in some areas for filler treatments; no instrument eliminates the risk of a blocked blood vessel.
- Hyaluronic Acid Filler · After Fillers
- Chemical peel
- Controlled peeling and renewal of the upper layers of the skin using acid solutions applied to the skin. Peels are divided into superficial, medium and deep; as the depth increases, recovery time and risk also increase.
- Chemical Peels
- Collagen
- The main structural protein that gives the skin firmness and fullness. Its production decreases with age and sun damage; many aesthetic procedures aim to stimulate collagen production.
- Crow's feet
- Radiating lines at the outer corners of the eyes that become more visible when smiling. They are caused by the movement of the ring-shaped muscle around the eye.
- Botulinum Toxin (Commonly Called “botox”)
- Cryolipolysis
- A device procedure that aims to reduce localised fat tissue through controlled cooling. It is not a weight-loss method; rarely, unwanted results have been reported, such as fat tissue in the treated area increasing instead of decreasing.
- Dermis
- The middle layer of the skin, located below the outer layer (epidermis), containing collagen and elastin fibres, blood vessels and nerve endings. The firmness and elasticity of the skin depend largely on this layer.
- Elastin
- An elastic fibre protein that allows the skin to return to its original shape after being stretched. Its amount and quality decrease with age and sun damage.
- Epidermis
- The outermost, visible protective layer of the skin. The pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) are located in this layer; superficial peels act on this layer.
- Erythema (redness)
- Redness due to increased blood flow in the skin. It can be an expected, temporary reaction after procedures such as laser, peels and microneedling; if it lasts long or comes with pain, the physician should be informed.
- Facial expression muscle
- The small muscles attached to the skin that create our facial expressions. Frequently repeated muscle movements can, over time, lead to permanent lines on the forehead, between the eyebrows and around the eyes.
- Botulinum Toxin (Commonly Called “botox”)
- Filler
- A substance injected under the skin to replace lost volume, soften lines or define facial contours. The most commonly used filler substance in aesthetics is hyaluronic acid.
- Hyaluronic Acid Filler · After Fillers
- Fitzpatrick skin type
- A classification from I to VI based on how easily the skin burns and tans in the sun. It is used when choosing settings and assessing the risk of pigmentation for procedures such as laser, IPL and peels.
- Laser Hair Removal · Chemical Peels
- Fractional laser
- A method that delivers the laser beam not to the whole skin but split into many small points; the healthy tissue in between speeds up healing. It is used for acne scars, fine lines and uneven texture; recovery time varies depending on the device and settings used.
- Dark Spots and Melasma
- Glabella
- The area between the two eyebrows. The vertical lines that form here when frowning are commonly known as “frown lines”, and it is one of the areas where botulinum toxin is often injected.
- Botulinum Toxin (Commonly Called “botox”)
- Granuloma
- A build-up of inflammatory tissue, felt as firmness or swelling, that forms around a substance the body perceives as foreign. It is a rare complication after fillers that can appear late; it requires a physician's assessment.
- Hyaluronic Acid Filler
- HIFU (high-intensity focused ultrasound)
- A device procedure that focuses ultrasound energy at a certain depth beneath the skin to create heat, with the aim of tightening the tissue. Its effect is moderate and varies from person to person; it does not give the same result as a surgical lift.
- Hyaluronic acid
- A sugar molecule found naturally in the body that has the ability to hold water. In aesthetics it is used as a filler substance and as the main component of skin booster injections; it is broken down by the body over time.
- Hyaluronic Acid Filler
- Hyperpigmentation
- An area or spot darker than the surrounding skin, caused by an increase in pigment (melanin). It can have different causes, such as the sun, hormones and skin inflammation.
- Dark Spots and Melasma
- IPL (intense pulsed light)
- A non-laser device technology that emits light over a broad range of wavelengths. It can be used for hair reduction, sun spots and superficial redness; careful settings are needed on dark and tanned skin because of the risk of burns and pigmentation.
- Laser Hair Removal · Dark Spots and Melasma
- Laser hair removal
- Reducing hair growth with laser light that targets the pigment in the hair root. More than one session is needed; choosing a device and settings that suit the hair and skin colour is important.
- Laser Hair Removal
- Melasma
- A chronic skin condition with brown-grey patches, usually located symmetrically on the cheeks, forehead and upper lip. Sun and hormones play a role; it has a strong tendency to recur, and treatment requires a long-term process.
- Dark Spots and Melasma
- Mesotherapy
- Delivering mixtures containing vitamins, minerals or other substances into or under the skin through many small injections. The mixtures used are not standardised, and for many uses the scientific evidence of effectiveness is limited.
- Mesotherapy
- Microneedling
- Stimulating the skin's repair process by creating controlled micro-channels in the skin with very fine needles. It is used for acne scars and skin texture; redness and sensitivity may be seen for a few days.
- Nasolabial fold
- The natural facial line running from the side of the nose to the corner of the mouth; also commonly known as the “smile line”. Everyone has it; age-related volume loss and sagging play a role in its deepening.
- Hyaluronic Acid Filler
- Necrosis
- Death of cells as a result of impaired blood supply to an area of tissue. It is a rare but serious consequence of a blocked blood vessel after filler; the risk can be reduced with early diagnosis and rapid intervention.
- After Fillers
- Needle
- A thin metal tip with a sharp point used for injections. It allows treatment at precise points; the treating physician decides in which area a needle or a cannula will be used.
- Hyaluronic Acid Filler
- Nodule
- A small firmness or lump that can be felt under the skin. After filler it can form early due to a build-up of the product, or later due to inflammatory causes; it should be assessed by a physician.
- Hyaluronic Acid Filler
- Oedema (swelling)
- Swelling due to fluid build-up in the tissues. It is a common temporary reaction after injection and device procedures; swelling that keeps increasing, is painful or is on one side only should be reported to the physician.
- After Fillers
- Photoageing
- Wrinkles, pigmentation, sagging and texture changes caused in the skin by long-term exposure to sunlight. Regular sun protection is the main way to slow photoageing.
- Dark Spots and Melasma
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
- A dark spot left after inflammation of the skin following acne, a burn or a procedure. It is more common in people with darker skin; it may fade over time, and how long this takes varies from person to person. Sun protection supports the process.
- Dark Spots and Melasma · Chemical Peels · Laser Hair Removal
- PRP (platelet-rich plasma)
- Applying platelet-rich plasma, separated from a person's own blood, to the skin or scalp. Preparation methods are not standardised, and the evidence for its effectiveness varies by use and is limited in many areas.
- PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
- Ptosis
- Drooping of the eyelid or eyebrow lower than normal. It can occur rarely and temporarily after botulinum toxin; if noticed, it should be reported to the treating physician.
- Botulinum Toxin (Commonly Called “botox”)
- Radiofrequency
- A device technology that aims to stimulate collagen production and tighten the skin by heating the skin layers with electromagnetic energy. Results are usually moderate and vary from person to person.
- Recovery time
- The time it takes after a procedure for the skin or tissue to return to its normal appearance and for you to return to daily life. It varies depending on the procedure, the intensity used and the person; ask your physician about the expected time for you.
- A Guide for People Having Medical Aesthetics for the First Time
- Retinoid
- A group of active substances derived from vitamin A that speed up cell renewal and are used for acne and photoageing. They can cause irritation and sun sensitivity; they are not suitable for use in pregnancy, and a break may be needed before some procedures.
- Chemical Peels · Dark Spots and Melasma
- Rosacea
- A chronic skin disease with easy flushing of the face, persistent redness, visible small blood vessels and sometimes acne-like bumps. Because some procedures can make rosacea flare up, it is important to tell your physician about it.
- Skin booster injection
- Delivering substances, usually containing hyaluronic acid, into the skin through many small points to improve the skin's hydration and texture. It is used not to add volume but for skin quality; the scientific evidence for its effect varies by product and technique and may be limited.
- Hyaluronic Acid Filler · Mesotherapy
- SPF (sun protection factor)
- A measure of the protection a sunscreen provides, particularly against UVB rays. For effective protection, it must be applied in sufficient amounts and reapplied during the day; sun protection becomes especially important in the period after a procedure.
- Dark Spots and Melasma
- TCA (trichloroacetic acid)
- An acid used mostly in medium-depth chemical peels. Its effect is deeper than that of superficial peels; recovery time and the risk of pigmentation or scarring increase accordingly.
- Chemical Peels
- Thread lift
- A procedure that aims to lift tissues slightly using special threads placed under the skin that dissolve in the body over time. Its effect is limited and temporary; evidence on long-term results is limited.
- UVA / UVB
- Two types of ultraviolet rays from the sun. UVB is mainly responsible for sunburn, while UVA reaches deeper and is responsible for photoageing and pigmentation; both increase the risk of skin cancer.
- Dark Spots and Melasma
- Vascular occlusion (blocked blood vessel)
- Interruption of blood flow as a result of filler entering a blood vessel or compressing it from outside. It is rare but an emergency; if you notice severe pain, pallor of the skin or a purplish, net-like discolouration during or after the procedure, call the treating physician immediately; if a vision disturbance occurs, call 112 immediately.
- After Fillers · Hyaluronic Acid Filler