Dermatology Glossary: Skin, Hair and Aesthetic Terms from A to Z

The medical terms you come across at an examination, on a prescription or in a pathology report often have other names in everyday language: acne is spots, urticaria is hives, a dermatologist is a skin doctor. Knowing what a term means helps you speak the same language as your doctor and follow your treatment.

The definitions give general information; the same diagnosis can call for a different treatment plan in different people. At our clinic in Denizli, we decide together which method suits you after an examination.

A

Acne (spots)

A skin condition in which the hair follicle and oil gland become blocked and inflamed, showing as blackheads, whiteheads, red bumps and cysts. It starts in the teenage years and can continue into adulthood. Creams and gels for mild acne, and tablets for severe acne that leaves scars, are part of acne treatment.

Acne scars

The pitted (atrophic) scars or red-brown marks left once acne has healed. For pitted scars, methods that stimulate collagen production, such as gold needle RF, Dermapen and peels, are used in acne scar treatment.

Allergy test

Applying small amounts of substances suspected of causing an allergy to the skin and reading the reaction. A prick test shows fast-acting allergies such as pollen and house dust mite within minutes, while a patch test reveals the cause of contact eczema over a few days. Our dermatologist interprets the results of skin allergy testing.

Alopecia

The medical name for hair loss. Androgenetic alopecia describes male or female pattern thinning linked to genetics and hormones; alopecia areata describes round bald patches caused by the immune system. Treatment is planned according to the type of shedding as part of hair loss treatment.

Aquapeel

A medical facial in which a device combining water pressure and suction in a single handpiece cleans the pores without squeezing the skin. Solutions with low-strength acids and a hydrating serum are then applied. An Aquapeel facial is chosen for clogged pores, blackheads and dull skin.

B

BBL (BroadBand Light)

A light treatment in which broad-spectrum light, tuned with filters, is delivered to the skin in short pulses. The light is absorbed by melanin in pigmentation and by haemoglobin in fine blood vessels; BBL skin treatment is used for sun spots, facial redness and fine veins.

Biopsy

Taking a small piece of tissue under local anaesthetic from a lesion whose diagnosis is not clear on examination, and examining it in a pathology laboratory. Punch, shave and excisional biopsies are the most common methods. A skin biopsy is quick, and you can return to daily life the same day.

Biostimulator

The general name for injections that, instead of filling volume straight away, stimulate the fibroblast cells in the skin and support it in producing its own collagen. The effect appears over weeks; one example is the collagen stimulator injection.

Botox (botulinum toxin)

A purified medical preparation, used in very low doses, that temporarily blocks the signal from the nerve to the muscle. It is used for expression lines, excessive sweating and an enlarged jaw muscle; its effect wears off over time. This mode of action is the answer to what Botox is; the treatment that uses the same medicine with different injection points for men is called Brotox, Botox for men.

Botox for sweating

Temporarily blocking the signal that stimulates the sweat glands by giving botulinum toxin in many small doses into the skin of the area that sweats too much. At our clinic, Botox for excessive sweating is used on the underarms, palms, soles of the feet and face.

C

Carbon peel

A skin renewal treatment in which a thin carbon solution is applied to the skin and the carbon particles are then removed with a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. A Q-switched laser carbon peel is used for oily skin, enlarged pores and uneven skin tone.

Chemical peel

Applying one or more chemical agents to the skin so that it peels in a controlled way down to the intended layer. Smoother new skin takes its place; a chemical peel treatment is used for pigmentation, dullness, acne and fine wrinkles.

Cosmelan

A depigmenting system made up of a mask and a follow-on cream, which reduces melanin production by suppressing tyrosinase, the enzyme that darkens skin colour. In the Cosmelan enzyme peel, which we prefer especially for melasma, the mask is applied by the doctor.

Cryotherapy and cautery

Cryotherapy destroys benign lesions such as warts by freezing them with liquid nitrogen. Cautery removes small raised growths such as skin tags with heat produced by an electric current. After cryotherapy and cautery treatments, the skin heals by forming a scab.

D

Dark circles under the eyes

The thin skin under the eyes looking dark. Genetics, increased pigment, visible blood vessels and loss of volume can all be causes, and treatment is chosen according to the cause. One option is under-eye dark circles mesotherapy.

Dermal filler

Injecting hyaluronic acid under the skin to replace volume lost with age, or to shape the lips, cheeks, under-eye area and jawline. With the dermal filler treatments at our clinic, the effect lasts 6-18 months depending on the product and area; some mild swelling is expected in the first days of aftercare following lip filler.

Dermapen

An electric microneedling device that opens controlled micro-channels in the skin with very fine sterile needles at its tip. The micro-injury increases collagen production; Dermapen microneedling is used for acne scars, fine lines and enlarged pores.

Dermatologist (skin doctor)

A doctor who has completed specialist training in diseases of the skin, hair, nails and the lining of the mouth; in Türkiye the title is written as "Uzm. Dr." (specialist doctor). At your first dermatology appointment, you are asked about your complaint, the medicines you take and your previous treatments; when choosing a dermatologist, the specialist title is the first thing to check.

Dermoscopy

Examining moles and skin lesions with a dermatoscope, which gives light and magnification. It shows details of colour and pattern that cannot be seen with the naked eye, and involves no needles or cuts. When used on the scalp it is called trichoscopy.

Double chin mesotherapy

Injecting a fat-dissolving solution under the skin to reduce a limited build-up of fat under the chin. Its effect on loose skin is limited; fat dissolving under the chin gives gradual results over a few sessions.

E

Eczema

An inflammatory condition with itching, dryness, redness and sometimes blistering of the skin. Atopic eczema is linked to an inherited tendency, and contact eczema to a substance that touches the skin. Along with other conditions such as psoriasis, urticaria and rosacea, it is covered under diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases.

Excision

Removing a mole or lesion completely with a scalpel and closing the wound with stitches. The removed tissue is sent for pathology. In mole removal, the choice between shave removal and excision depends on the structure and location of the mole.

Expression lines

Lines on the forehead, between the brows and at the corners of the eyes (crow's feet) formed by repeated muscle movement. For lines that deepen with movement, Botox treatment in Denizli comes first; for lines that are also visible at rest, filler may be needed, and the choice depends on the answer to Botox or fillers.

F

Fractional treatment

A treatment principle in which energy is delivered not to the whole skin but to many small points. The healthy skin in between speeds up healing. Fractional laser and fractional radiofrequency work on this principle; at our clinic we use fractional radiofrequency in the form of gold needle treatment. The choice between fractional laser and gold needle RF depends on the condition of your skin and the healing time.

Freckles

Small, light brown dots on areas exposed to the sun that darken in summer and fade in winter. They are prominent in people with fair skin who burn easily; before treatment it is important to tell apart freckles, melasma and sun spots.

G

Gold needle RF

A fractional skin renewal method that combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy. Energy delivered from the tips of fine gold microneedles heats the deeper layers of the skin and stimulates collagen production. At our clinic we use the Scarlet S gold needle device.

H

HIFU

Short for high-intensity focused ultrasound. Sound waves pass through the surface of the skin and create small points of heat at set depths, tightening the tissue. At our clinic we use the Doublo Gold HIFU device.

Hyaluronic acid

A molecule found naturally in the skin that holds water. It is the main ingredient of fillers, skin boosters and some mesotherapy products. Hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase.

Hyperhidrosis

The body producing more sweat than it needs to cool down; the primary type affects the underarms, palms, soles of the feet and face. Treatment starts with antiperspirants containing aluminium salts and moves on to iontophoresis (a weak electric current passed through water), Botox and tablets. Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) treatment is planned in these steps; with sweaty hands and feet, everyday measures also matter.

Hyperpigmentation

The general name for darkening of the skin caused by an increase in melanin pigment. Melasma, sun spots, freckles and marks left by spots belong to this group, and each responds to a different method. This is why pigmentation treatment options are chosen according to the type of mark.

L

Laser hair removal

A hair reduction method in which laser light targeting the melanin in the hair root turns into heat and weakens the root. Alexandrite is preferred for dark hair on fair skin, diode for medium tones and Nd:YAG for olive and dark skin. The laser type and session plan are decided at the consultation before laser hair removal.

M

Masseter

The strong chewing muscle on each side of the jaw. For teeth clenching and a square-looking lower face, a low dose of botulinum toxin is injected into this muscle; masseter Botox is a procedure lasting 5-10 minutes.

Medical skin care

Skin care carried out under the supervision of a dermatologist, using methods chosen for your skin type and concern. At our clinic, medical skin care can include methods such as Aquapeel, chemical peels, mesolift and skin boosters.

Melasma

Brown patches that sit symmetrically on the cheeks, forehead and upper lip. Sun and hormones trigger it; the form that appears during pregnancy is called the mask of pregnancy and is the most familiar of the skin changes in pregnancy. Because it tends to come back, pigmentation treatment in Denizli calls for a plan spread over months.

Mesotherapy

A method in which vitamins, minerals or active ingredients that support fat breakdown are delivered with fine needles directly into the skin of the problem area. On the face it is called mesolift, on the scalp hair mesotherapy and on the body cellulite mesotherapy. Mesotherapy courses are mostly planned as 3-6 sessions.

Mole (naevus)

Spots formed by a cluster of the pigment cells that give the skin its colour; the great majority are harmless. A mole that changes in shape, colour or size is examined for melanoma, a skin cancer that develops from pigment cells. Regular mole checks make it possible to notice changes early.

N

Non-surgical facelift

The general name for methods that lift mild to moderate sagging without incisions or general anaesthetic. HIFU, thread lifts and lifting with fillers belong to this group. The choice between non-surgical facelift methods depends on how much sagging there is and what is causing it.

P

Paris Glow (NCTF)

A treatment using a mesotherapy product that contains hyaluronic acid together with vitamins, amino acids, coenzymes, nucleic acids and minerals. It aims to revive dull, tired skin; Paris Glow follows a five-session programme.

PRP (platelet-rich plasma)

Plasma separated from your own blood in a centrifuge and concentrated in platelets. PRP treatment is used on the face for skin quality and acne scars, and on the scalp to support weakened roots. For hair loss, the question of PRP or mesotherapy is answered according to the type of shedding.

Psoriasis

A long-term condition in which an overactive immune system makes the skin renew itself too quickly, causing red, well-defined, scaly plaques. It is not contagious.

Q

Q-switched laser

A type of laser that delivers its energy in very short, powerful pulses lasting nanoseconds. Because pigment is broken up before heat spreads to the surrounding tissue, it is used for tattoo removal, some brown marks, carbon peels and lightening fine hair.

R

Rosacea

A long-term condition with redness, visible small blood vessels and spot-like bumps on the cheeks, nose and forehead. Sun, hot drinks, alcohol and spicy food can trigger flare-ups.

S

Skin booster

A skin quality injection in which a product based on hyaluronic acid is given into the skin in small amounts. The aim is hydration, radiance and elasticity rather than volume, which is why a skin booster does not plump up the lips or cheeks.

Sunscreen

A product that protects the skin from ultraviolet rays. The SPF value shows protection against UVB, which causes sunburn; broad-spectrum products also protect against UVA. Choosing a sunscreen depends on your skin type and how long you spend in the sun.

T

Tattoo removal

Breaking up tattoo ink in the skin with the very short pulses of a Q-switched laser, after which the body clears the fragments over the following weeks. In laser tattoo removal, the number of sessions depends on the colours and depth of the tattoo.

Thread lift

A non-surgical procedure in which fine dissolving threads with small cones along them are placed under the skin under local anaesthetic and used to lift sagging tissue. In mild to moderate sagging a thread lift gives a clear result; its effect wears off over time.

Thread veins (telangiectasia)

Fine blood vessels that have become visible in the skin, most noticeable at the sides of the nose, on the cheeks and on the legs. Laser treatment for thread veins uses an Nd:YAG laser that targets the haemoglobin in the vessel.

Trichoscopy

Examining the scalp and hair roots under magnification with a dermatoscope. By showing differences in hair thickness, inflammation around the roots and the pattern of shedding, it helps identify the cause of hair loss.

U

Urticaria (hives)

Itchy, raised red welts on the skin that move around within a few hours. Infections, medicines, foods or physical factors such as heat, cold and pressure can trigger them; the main medicine used in treatment is an antihistamine.

W

Warts

Benign raised growths with a rough surface, caused by infection of the skin with HPV (human papillomavirus). They can spread through contact; treatment uses medicines applied to the skin and freezing.

Asking About a Term You Heard at Your Appointment in Denizli

Knowing the name of a diagnosis or treatment is only the first step towards understanding what will be done. At our clinic in Denizli, at the end of the examination we go through the diagnosis, the recommended treatment and the terms used with you one by one. If there is something in your report or prescription you did not understand, you can ask at your follow-up appointment or give us a call.