A

Abdominoplasty - repair abdominal muscle and remove excess fat and skin; especially beneficial after pregnancy or weight loss; commonly called "tummy tuck"

Ablation - removal of thin layers of tissue

Acetone - a solvent used before cosmetic surgery to remove natural oily deposits on the skin

Accutane - a prescription medication brand name of isotretinoin, a derivative of vitamin A; used to treat severe, cystic acne

Acne - inflammatory disease of the oil glands of the skin, especially of the face of back

Acne vulagaris - common acne

Abdomen - commonly referred to as the tummy or belly

Abdominoplasty - surgery to remove excess fat and skin from the abdomen

Abrasion - a scraping away of a portion of the surface (as in dermabrasion of the skin)

Abscess - a collection of pus appeariang in a localized infection and associated with tissue destruction and swelling

Acne - an inflammatory eruption involving the oil-producing sebaceous glands

Actinic keratosis - thickening of the skin from exposure to the sun's rays; may progess to squamous cell carcinoma

Acuity - a measure of one's ability to see

Acute - of short and sharp course; not chronic

Adhesions - inflammatory bands than connect opposing serous surfaces. Can occur with abdominoplasty and liposuction

Adipose tissue - fat

Aesthetic - relating to beauty

Aesthetic surgery - any surgery to improve one's appearance

Aesthetician - a skin care specialist trained in methods to enhance beauty

Age spot - flat, brown discoloration on the skin that results from overexposure to the sun and aging; also called sunspot or liver spot

AIDS (Acquired ImmunoDeficiency Syndrome) - a life-threatening disease caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Ala nasi - the outer wing-shaped wall of the nostril

Alar nasal cartilage - the wing shpaed connective tissue that makes up the tip of the nose

Alar rim - the border of the nostril

Albinisim - an inherited deficiency or absence of pigment in the skin, hair, and/or eyes

Allergy - hypersensitivity or reaction to environmental factors or substances such as foods or medication

Alopecia - loss of hair; can be caused by genetics, disease, malnutrition, or hormone imbalance

Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) - a family of chemical exfoliants derived from fruits, sugarcane (glycolic acid), and sour milk (lactic acid) that speed up superficial shedding of skin cells, and are used to improve skin texture and reduce fine wrinkles and mild irregularities in pigmentation

Amblyopia - commonly called a wandering eye

Ambulatory - literally means walking about or able to walk; refers to outpatient procedures

Amnesia - the condition of not being able to remember; or a disturbance in the memory of information stored in long-term memory

Amnestic - an agent causing amnesia. Commonly used before surgery, such as occurs with the drug Versed

Amputation - the cutting off of a limb, breast, part of a tooth, or other projecting part

Analgesia - reduced response to pain

Anaphylaxis - literally means inability to breathe; an allergic response characterized by inability to breathe

Androgenetic alopecia - hereditary form of hair thinning relating to male hormone levels; also called male pattern baldness

Anemia - decrease in oxygen-contaning blood cells characterized by pallor, weakness, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations

Anesthesia - loss of sensation in the body induced by an anesthetic

Anesthesiologist - a physician specializing solely in the management of pain

Anesthetic - a compound that reduces the ability to perceive pain; used in surgery to block pain

Anesthetist - one who adminsters an anesthetic; whether a physician, nurse, or anesthesia assistant

Angiofibroma - a tiny pink bump seen on the skin, made up of blood vessels and collagen

Angioma - a tumor or lesion composed of blood vessels.

Anorexia - diminished appetite or aversion to food

Anterior - in front of

Anterior Ciliary Sclerotomy - eye surgery making tiny cuts on the covering of the eye to improve blurred vision cause by presbyopia; abbreviated as ACS

Antibacterial - any agent that is effective against bacteria

Antibiotic - a drug that is effective against bacteria

Anticoagulant - anything which prevents blood clot formation, such as aspirin

Antifungal - any agent that is effective against fungi or yeast

Antihelix - the inner fold in the cartilage that gives the outer ear its shape

Antihistamine - a drug that reduces the effect of allergic symptoms (such as Benadryl)

Antioxidant - a chemical compound that reduces oxidation and thus combats the aging process, damage to DNA and RNA, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and other illnesses

Antiseptic - a topical substance that prevents or slows the growth of organisms that cause infection

Apnea - a transient suspension of breathing; more common with obesity

Areola - the pigmented area around the nipple

Arnica (Arnica Montana) - an herbal remedy used to reduce bleeding and bruising

Ascorbic acid - the chemical name for Vitamin C

Asian blepharoplasty - eyelid surgery to decrease upper eyelid fullness and reduce the epicanthal fold that is common in Asians

Aspriation - the surgical removal of a liquid from the body by sucking the fluid through a needle. Also refers to the inhalation of liquid into the lungs - a risk when undergoing anesthesia or heavy sedation

Astigmatic Keratomy - surgery on the cornea of the eye to correct astigmatism; abbreviated as AK

Astigmatism - blurred vision caused by an irregularly shaped cornea

Asymmetric - uneven

Atalectasis - collapse of all or part of the lung

Atopic dermatitis - inflammation or irritation of the skin caused by allergy

Atrophy - a wasting of tissues from disuse, illness, or steroid injection

Augmentation mammoplasty - the enlargement of the breasts using an artificial implant

Autoimmune - production of antibodies agianst one's own cells or tissues

Axilla/axillae (pl) - the armpit(s)

Azelaic acid - a topical medication, also known as Azelex, commonly used to treate acne and to lighten dark spots on the skin