Aesthetic Dermatology – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering core terms, technologies, and concepts from Dr. Hakim’s aesthetic dermatology lecture notes.

Injectable drug (e.g., Botox, Dysport) that temporarily relaxes facial muscles to soften dynamic wrinkles.

Neuromodulator

Purified neurotoxic protein used in neuromodulators to block acetylcholine release and inhibit muscle contraction.

Botulinum Toxin Type A

Facial line formed by repetitive muscle movement, such as frowning or squinting.

Dynamic Wrinkle

Gold-standard neuromodulator with an average duration of 3–4 months.

Botox®

Neuromodulator that diffuses more broadly than Botox, ideal for larger treatment areas.

Dysport®

Additive-free (“naked”) form of botulinum toxin A, preferred for sensitive or antibody-prone patients.

Xeomin®

Newest FDA-approved neuromodulator; longest-lasting effect (up to ~6 months).

Daxxify®

Neuromodulator technique that relaxes the upper-lip muscle to create the appearance of fuller lips.

Lip Flip

Medical term for excessive sweating treated with neuromodulator injections.

Hyperhidrosis

Injectable gel (usually hyaluronic acid) that restores volume, smooths folds, or enhances contours.

Dermal Filler

Naturally occurring sugar molecule that binds water; primary ingredient in most soft-tissue fillers.

Hyaluronic Acid (HA)

Product (e.g., Sculptra, Radiesse) that triggers collagen formation rather than simply adding volume.

Biostimulatory Filler

Poly-L-lactic acid injectable that gradually stimulates collagen for long-term volumization.

Sculptra®

Calcium hydroxyapatite filler providing immediate lift and long-term collagen stimulation.

Radiesse®

Deep crease running from the side of the nose to mouth corners; commonly treated with fillers.

Nasolabial Fold

High-energy rapid-output IPL platform that treats pigment, redness, and stimulates collagen.

BBL HEROic™

Broad-spectrum light therapy used for vascular and pigmented skin concerns.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

Skin target (e.g., melanin, hemoglobin) that absorbs light energy during laser/IPL treatments.

Chromophore

Pigment molecule responsible for skin and hair color; absorbs light in pigment-targeting therapies.

Melanin

Blood protein targeted in laser/IPL vascular treatments to reduce redness or visible vessels.

Hemoglobin

Six-level scale classifying skin’s response to UV light; guides laser safety parameters.

Fitzpatrick Skin Type

Minimally invasive RFAL procedure for lower-face and neck skin tightening and fat remodeling.

FaceTite®

Smaller RFAL handpiece for precise tightening in delicate areas (e.g., under-eyes, brow).

AccuTite®

Technology that delivers RF heat beneath the skin to melt fat and contract tissue.

Radio-Frequency Assisted Lipolysis (RFAL)

Device combining microneedling with radiofrequency to tighten skin and improve texture deeply.

Morpheus8®

Collagen-induction therapy using fine needles to create micro-injuries and stimulate skin repair.

Microneedling

Concentrated platelets from the patient’s blood applied with microneedling for enhanced healing.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

Topical application of acids to exfoliate varying skin depths and improve tone, texture, and pigment.

Chemical Peel

Medium-depth blended chemical peel safe for all tones; treats acne, pigment, and fine lines.

VI Peel

Trichloroacetic acid peel customizable from medium to deep resurfacing for photodamage or scars.

TCA Peel

Gentler acid blend focused on melasma and hyperpigmentation without significant peeling.

Pigment Peel

Gentle 1440 nm fractional laser (“baby Fraxel”) for early aging, pores, and radiance with minimal downtime.

Clear + Brilliant®

Ultrasound-based, needle-free system delivering growth-factor serum for hair restoration.

Alma TED™

Ultrasound-induced increase in skin permeability allowing topical actives to penetrate deeply.

TransEpidermal Delivery (TED)

2940 nm laser wavelength strongly absorbed by water, enabling precise skin ablation with less heat.

Erbium:YAG Laser

Removal of tissue layers by vaporization, used in resurfacing to improve fine lines and scars.

Ablation (Laser)

Deep erbium resurfacing that removes entire epidermis for dramatic rejuvenation but longer downtime.

Fully Ablative Erbium

Fractional erbium laser creating micro-channels for collagen remodeling with shorter recovery.

ProFractional™

Laser wavelength absorbed by blood; used in ClearV, ClearSilk for vascular and redness treatment.

Nd:YAG 1064 nm

Targeted 1064 nm laser for spider veins, telangiectasia, and vascular lesions on face or body.

ClearV®

Injection of a sclerosant (e.g., polidocanol) to collapse unwanted leg veins.

Sclerotherapy

Tiny superficial red or purple vein often treated with sclerotherapy or laser.

Spider Vein

Blue-green medium-sized vein beneath the skin surface; treatable with sclerotherapy.

Reticular Vein

Common sclerosant solution used to close spider and reticular veins.

Polidocanol

Non-ablative 1064 nm laser “lunchtime facial” that calms redness and boosts glow with zero downtime.

ClearSilk™

Light-to-moderate erbium laser peel (“weekend peel”) removing microns of epidermis for smoother skin.

MicroLaserPeel®

Neurotransmitter that triggers muscle contraction; blocked by botulinum toxin.

Acetylcholine

Neuromodulator injection into masseter muscles to narrow lower-face width.

Jaw Slimming (Masseter Tox)

Small neuromodulator doses to relax upper-lip elevator muscles, reducing gum display while smiling.

Gummy Smile Correction

Using hyaluronic acid fillers to draw moisture and plump the lips for a natural effect.

Lip Hydration (via HA Filler)

Temporary darkening of pigmented spots after BBL/IPL before they flake off.

Coffee-Grounds Effect

Process of stimulating new collagen fibers, improving firmness and skin texture over months.

Collagen Remodeling

Supportive wrap worn after FaceTite/AccuTite to minimize swelling and aid contouring.

Compression Garment

Laser technique treating only a percentage of skin in a grid pattern to speed healing.

Fractional Treatment

Real-time melanin reader integrated into ClearV for safe settings across all skin tones.

SkinTel®

Small dilated blood vessels visible near the skin surface, commonly on the face.

Telangiectasia

Excess melanin deposition causing dark patches; targeted by lasers, peels, and pigment-specific products.

Hyperpigmentation

Darkening of skin after injury or inflammation, a risk minimized by proper laser selection.

Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)

$900.00 (Regular $1,125.00)

Platinum Hydrafacial

$780.00 (Regular $975.00)

Deluxe Hydrafacial

$600.00 (Regular $750.00)

Signature Hydrafacial

Chemical Peel $500.50 (Regular $650.00)

VI PEEL

$1,950.00 (Regular $3,900.00)

3 Sessions AlmaTED

$34.00

Daily Soothing Cleanser

$149.00

Cystamine

$179.00

Latisse

$108.00

Neocutis

$179.00

Dermal Nourish Cream

$164.00

Dermal Repair Cream

$60.00

Even and Correct Pads

$178.00

Even and Correct Serum

$118.00

Biocomplete Serum

$210.00

Alastin Nectar

$64.00

Alastin Sunscreen

$62.00

Alastin Post Injection Serum

$294.00

Alastin Procedure Kit

$209.00

Nutrafol Women

$209.00

Nutrafol Men

$209.00

Nutrafol Women’s Balance

$30.00

Elta Sport

$40.00

Elta Element Tinted

$35.00

Elta Stick

$14.00

Elta Lip

$45.00

Elta Body Spray

$41.00

Elta UV Clear

$43.00

Elta UV Clear Tinted

Broad-based light (rosacea, pigment). 4-6 sessions/year. No numbing usually. all things reds and browns

BBL:

Resurfacing laser. High downtime. fully ablative for deep wrinkles, scars, Profractional for rejuvenation, Micro laser peel for rejuvenation, wrinkles, brown spots. Nano laser has one day of downtime with laser RPM, one to three sessions per year. Numbing for 45 minutes to an hour. Redness and scabbing is seen during this downtime. 1hr appt block

Erbium:

RF microneedling. Texture, tightening, acne scars. 3-5 sessions. Numbing required.

Morpheus8:

RF tightening. One treatment. 48h swelling. Common for jaw, neck, eyes.

AccuTite/FaceTite:

Entry-level laser. No real downtime. 4-6 sessions. for set up… glasses, eye shields for the patients. numbing, tongue depressor, tip for laser.

Clear + Brilliant:

Texture, scars, melasma. 4-7 sessions. Minor scabbing.

Microneedling:

Instant glow. No downtime. need to numb for 10 min,

AquaGold:

eye shields + glasses, Acetone, levulonic acid, fan, numbing, tongue depressor, tip for laser

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) set up:

• Reconstitute 100 units with 2.2 cc bacteriostatic saline.

• Use BD (orange tip) syringes.

• 0.1 cc = 5 units.

• 0.3 cc = 15 units.

NEUROMODULATOR PREP (BOTOX, etc.)

• 5 cc sterile water + shake 1 min.

• Add 2 cc sterile water (measure at top black line), shake.

• Add 1 cc lidocaine (no epi), swirl.

• Let particles settle. Inject cloudy liquid only.

SCULPTRA PREP

Numbing + tan-colored kit.

Skin tag removal

Needle tip cautery, ointment.

Cautery

Persona blade, formalin bottle, numbing, cautery.

Shave biopsy