Abdominoplasty: A surgical procedure done to flatten your abdomen by removing extra fat and skin, and tightening muscles in your abdominal wall. This procedure is commonly referred to as a tummy tuck.

Acne: A skin condition characterized by the excess production of oil from sebaceous glands in which the hair follicles become plugged.

Acne Scarring: Scars due to severe acne. They can range from deep pits to scars that are angular or wavelike in appearance.

ActiveFX: ActiveFX is one of the fractionated procedures that comprise the family of treatments called Bridge Therapy. ActiveFX is the first-of-its-kind ablative laser with fractionated technology for skin rejuvenation. ActiveFX utilizes CO2 laser energy to treat fine lines, wrinkles, skin laxity, discoloration and other effects of aging and sun damage in a very fast, single-treatment approach. ActiveFX can be compared to non-CO2, non-ablative lasers, which can achieve similar results over a series of four to five treatments.

Age Spots: Small flat pigmented spots that are most often seen on areas of the body that have been exposed to the sun over a period of years. Age spots usually occur after the age of 40.

Body Sculpting: A cosmetic procedure designed to improve body contours by removing or transferring fat to specific targeted areas. Although some body sculpting techniques, like SmartLipo, involve the removal of body fat, it should not be used as a replacement for a healthy diet and exercise, but rather as a complement that can achieve what good habits alone cannot.

Botox®: Botox® Cosmetic is substance derived from botulinum toxin. Botox is a nonsurgical, physician-administered via a few tiny injections directly into the muscles that cause stubborn lines. Botox prevents nerve impulses from reaching the muscles into which it has been injected, causing the muscles to relax. The treatment is usually done in about 10 minutes, and no recovery time is needed. Within days, you may see an improvement that can last up to 4 months. Results may vary.

Brazilian Lift: A Brazilian Lift is a fat transfer procedure that involves the injection of fat into the buttocks to enhance its shape.

Breast Augmentation: A cosmetic surgical procedure that increases breast size.

Bridge Therapy: Bridge Therapy is a family of fractionated procedures including TotalFX, ActiveFX, DeepFX, and PigmentFX, which utilizes the UltraPulse Encore CO2 laser. Each of the Bridge Therapy treatments is performed in a single treatment with minimal patient downtime. During a fractional treatment, only a portion of the skin’s surface is treated by the laser, leaving small “bridges” of untouched skin surrounding the treated areas. This technique makes the healing process much quicker and enables patients to return to their ordinary routines sooner. Bridge Therapy can be compared to non-CO2, non-ablative lasers, which can achieve similar results over a series of four to five treatments.

Canula or Cannula: A stainless steel tube used to suck fat out of the body as part of a liposuction procedure. Traditional liposuction uses a much larger, and therefore more invasive and less precise, cannula, than that used in SmartLipo.

Cellulite: Cellulite refers to the dimples or bumps in the skin, usually around the thighs and buttocks, caused when the natural structure of the skin is stretched by fat cells.

Chemexfoliation: See Chemical Peel.

Chemical Peel: A chemical peel is solution that is applied to the skin. The solution is intended to remove dead skin and promote the growth of new skin. The process is also called a chemexfoliation.

Cholasma: See melasma.

Collagen: The major structural proteins in the skin that give the skin its strength and resilience.

Compression Garment: A post operative compression garment is a type of clothing that promotes faster wound healing and decreased risk of complications. Pushing down on the skin, the surgical compression garment squeezes body fluids back toward deeper tissues, reducing edema (swelling) in the affected areas, and speeding delivery of oxygen to the cells. In addition, loose skin, held firmly against the body, is far more likely to heal without sagging. And, using compression garments when chosen carefully and sized properly, can do nothing but help your recovery to be quicker, safer and more comfortable! Coressence requires each of its SmartLipo patients to use a compression garment after the procedure.

Crepey: “Crepey” skin is skin that has a dry wrinkled appearance like crepe cloth or paper.

Crows’ Feet or Crow’s Feet: The fine lines found around the eyes. They are often caused by sun exposure. However, smoking also contributes to their formation.

DeepFX: DeepFX is one of the fractionated procedures that comprise the family of treatments called Bridge Therapy. DeepFX treats scars (particularly those caused by scarring), dermal lesions and stimulates long-term remodeling of the skin. DeepFX is most commonly used in combination with ActiveFX in a treatment called TotalFX. DeepFX can be compared to non-CO2, non-ablative lasers, which can achieve similar results over a series of four to five treatments.

Dermatology: The study of skin. One may be an expert or specialist in dermatology without being a “dermatologist,” which is an individual who has received a very specific type of medical training.

Dermis: The middle layer of the skin, the dermis is a complex combination of blood vessels, hair follicles, and sebaceous (oil) glands. Here, you'll find collagen and elastin. The dermis is also where wrinkles occur.

DUSA Blue Light: DUSA Blue Light is a safe and painless treatment that eliminates the bacteria that cause acne. When the bacteria are eliminated, the acne can begin to clear up and skin begin to heal. Each DUSA Blue Light treatment takes approximately 20 minutes, and we recommend a series of twelve treatments over a period of six weeks to achieve optimal results.

Eczema: skin condition characterized by itchy, irritated, inflamed skin. Eczema comes in many forms and can be triggered by a variety of factors, including allergies, environmental factors or family history. The raised, inflamed skin can appear anywhere on your body, including your face, legs, arms or neck.

EKG: A graphical recording of the cardiac cycle produced by an electrocardiograph. We sometimes require an EKG before conducting certain cosmetic surgical procedures, such as SmartLipo or breast augmentation.

Elastin: A protein found with collagen in the dermis that is responsible for giving structure to your skin and organs.

Epidermis: The outer layer of the skin. The epidermis is also the thinnest layer, responsible for protecting you from the harsh environment. The epidermis is made up of five layers of its own: stratum germinativum, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum and stratum corneum.

Exfoliate: To remove the top layer of skin. Chemical peels and microdermabrasion are examples of methods in which the skin is exfoliated.

Fat Transfer: A Fat Transfer consists of fat being removed from a section of the body such as the hip, and injected into the desired location.

Filler: A filler is a substance such as Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse, Sculptra, or one's own fat that is injected beneath the skin to contour, or fill in wrinkles or scar.

Fitzpatrick Skin Types: This is a system used to evaluate skin color and asses a person’s tendency to tan or burn. The Fitzpatrick Scale classifies skin types from I to VI. This classification can identify patients who may be at increased risk for developing problems, such as skin discoloration (dyschromia) and darkening or lightening of areas of the skin (hyper- or hypopigmentation), following certain skin rejuvenation procedures (e.g., microdermabrasion, chemical peels, fractional laser resurfacing). The Fitzpatrick Skin Types are as follows:

Fractionated Treatments: Fractionated treatments are a type of rejuvenation procedure that involve the application of laser energy into only a portion of the skin’s surface, leaving small “bridges” of untouched skin surrounding the treated areas. Use of the fractional or fractionated laser technique promotes faster healing and quicker recovery.

General Anesthesia: A controlled state of unconsciousness, accompanied by a partial or complete loss of reflexes. The risks associated with anesthesia can be substantially higher in procedures involving general anesthesia compared to those that involve local anesthesia.

Gentlewaves: Gentlewaves is a non-ablative (non-harming), non-thermal treatment that reduces wrinkles, pore size and pigmentation to produce smoother, more youthful-looking skin. Gentlewaves can increase collagen production while decreasing the production of enzymes that break down and age the skin. It may be used alone as a skin fitness regimen or as an adjunct to other services. Gentlewaves helps accelerate recovery from other aesthetic procedures and can be useful after sun exposure.

Hyperpigmentation: A skin condition in which there is excessive pigmentation, often seen as dark spots on the skin

Hypodermis: The fatty layer of skin, home of sweat glands and fat and collagen cells. The hypodermis is responsible for conserving your body's heat and protecting your vital inner organs.

Hypopigmentation: A skin condition in which there is a lack of pigmentation.

IPL Photo Rejuvenation: IPL stands for “Intense Pulsed Light.” Using this light pulse, IPL Photo Rejuvenation gently erases skin damage and rejuvenates the texture and complexion of the skin, correcting benign skin conditions such as sun damage, hyperpigmentation, melasma, and other brown or red discolorations.

Juvederm: Juvederm is a cross-linked hyaluronic acid gel that works especially well in and around the lips. Juvederm may also be used to fill scars, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, the area below the eyes, and as part of the Volumalift procedure. Juvederm is smooth and easy to administer, and the results last up to one year.

Keloid Scar: A type of scar that continues to grow beyond what is needed at the site of an injury. This type of scar is caused by too much collagen forming while the skin is being repaired. The tendency to develop keloid scars is genetic.

Laxity: When used to describe skin, skin laxity refers to looseness.

Laser Acne Therapy: Laser Acne Therapy is a revolutionary treatment that softens wrinkles and reduces acne. Laser Acne Therapy achieves these dual results by stimulating natural collagen production and also targeting and eliminating the production centers for oil and bacteria. Laser Acne Therapy refreshes the skin, leaving it looking younger and smoother. Each treatment takes 15–20 minutes and we recommend that they be repeated every two to six weeks until the series is completed. There is no downtime to Laser Acne Therapy treatments, and results are visible within six to eight weeks.

Laser Hair Removal: Laser hair removal treatment precisely targets and permanently destroys hair follicles using a combination of light energies and bi-polar radio frequency. Laser Hair Removal is effective for both men and women, almost all areas of the body can be treated. The system we use at Coressence is effective on all hair colors and Fitzpatrick skin types 1–5 (a measure of skin complexion). Laser Hair Removal permanently disables hair follicles that are in their active growth cycle at the time of treatment. Several treatments are necessary to disable all the follicles in a given area because hairs enter their growth cycle at different times. We find that the optimal course of treatment involves a series of six treatments performed six to eight weeks apart. More treatments may be required based on the area being treated and your hair color, hair type, and skin tone. Laser Hair Removal requires no down time, and patients can return to normal activities immediately after treatment. To ensures safety and comfort during the treatment, we cool the skin during the treatment. Because certain follicles are bound to be inactive during any given treatment, some patients require one to two brief touch-up treatments a year to catch the “stragglers.”

Lentigines: See age spots.

Levulan: Levulan is a chemical application we like to use in combination with DUSA Blue Light treatments to treat severe cases of acne and pre-cancerous skin lesions on the face or scalp (known as actinic keratosis). With a Levulan treatment, the chemical is left on for approximately an hour and then activated by exposing the skin to light. Each Levulan treatment takes approximately one hour, and we recommend a series of three treatments. Levulan treatment will leave the skin red, tender, and sensitive to light. It is important to avoid sun exposure for at least 48 hours following this treatment.

Local Anesthesia: Drugs that cause a temporary loss of feeling in one part of the body. The patient remains awake but has no feeling in the part of the body being treated. The risks associated with anesthesia are substantially lower in procedures using local anesthesia compared to those that employ general anesthesia.

Melasma: A condition in which pigmentation of the cheeks of the face darkens into tan or brown patches. This condition occurs in half of all women during pregnancy.

Microdermabrasion: This treatment exfoliates and polishes the outer layer of the skin to reveal younger, firmer, and more radiant skin. It also stimulates collagen, giving your skin a more uniform tone. Medical-Grade Microdermabrasion lightens hyperpigmentation and age spots, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, and minimizes the effects of sun damage and scarring from acne. Microdermabrasion is one of the most requested non-invasive cosmetic procedures in the U.S. and Europe, and is safe to use on all skin types and colors.

Photo-aging: The changes that occur to the skin due to exposure to the sun. This includes wrinkles and age spots.

PigmentFX: PigmentFX is one of the fractionated procedures that comprise the family of treatments called Bridge Therapy. PigmentFX treats discoloration of the skin caused by sun damage. PigmentFX can be compared to non-CO2, non-ablative lasers, which can achieve similar results over a series of four to five treatments.

Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL): Power-assisted liposuction or “PAL,” utilizes a motorized cannula that allows the surgeon to pass the cannula through the tissues much easier, remove fat cells more rapidly and produce a smoother, more natural appearance. The vibrating cannula, unlike the traditional cannula, can remove fat while being held in one place. This allows the surgeon using PAL to sculpt sensitive areas of the body more precisely. PAL uses smaller incisions than traditional liposuction and requires less operative time, thereby reducing the length of anesthesia.

Ptosis: The drooping of a body part, especially the eyelids or the breasts.

Radiesse: Radiesse is a biocompatible, non-toxic, non-allergenic filler that reduces the appearance of wrinkles and skin folds around the mouth and nose, and fills certain scars. Popular for its long-lasting results, Radiesse benefits should be immediately apparent and last for approximately 12 to 18 months.

Restylane: Restylane is natural cosmetic dermal filler that restores volume and fullness to the skin. It is perfectly suited to correct the fine lines and creases around the mouth and between the eyebrows, address depressed facial scars, and rejuvenate the lips. Restylane is the first cosmetic dermal filler made of non animal based hyaluronic acid, a natural substance that already exists in the human body. The result is instantaneous, smooth and natural looking.

Rosacea: A skin disease of unknown causes that causes an array of symptoms, including redness and puffiness on several areas of the face, including the cheeks and nose. Rosacea cannot be cured, but treatment should be sought since the condition can worsen over time if not treated correctly or promptly.

Sculptra: Sculptra has been used throughout Europe since 1999 to improve the appearance of aging skin folds, indented chin surfaces, hollowed cheeks, and sunken eyes. Sculptra was recently introduced in the United States and has been climbing in popularity. The Sculptra filler provides up to 80 percent improvement in the treated areas. The results are fully evident in three to six treatment sessions, and last up to two years

SmartLipo: SmartLipo is a revolutionary and minimally invasive body sculpting procedure that uses a high-powered laser to remove fat while tightening the skin. The SmartLipo procedure does not require general anesthesia; the procedure is performed under local anesthesia. A small, 2 mm circular incision is made, and the laser goes under the skin to liquefy the fat cells while also sealing the tiny blood vessels around the fat and stimulating new collagen production, which tightens the skin. After the fat is liquefied, it is removed with power-assisted suction. The combined effects of the laser achieve in smoother results, less bruising and bleeding, less downtime and fewer side effects than traditional liposuction.

Subcutaneous: A term referring to below the skin.

TotalFX: TotalFX is one of the fractionated procedures that comprise the family of treatments called Bridge Therapy. TotalFX is the term used for a combination therapy that involves the use of both ActiveFX and DeepFX. A TotalFX combines the effects of both treatments and tones and tightens the texture of the skin, stimulates long-term skin remodeling, and treats sun damage, dermal lesions, scars, and wrinkles. Of the fractionated laser treatments, combining ActiveFX and DeepFX into a single treatment can be the most effective treatment available to address the effects of aging. TotalFX can be compared to non-CO2, non-ablative lasers, which can achieve similar results over a series of four to five treatments.

Thermage: Thermage is a safe, non-invasive cosmetic procedure that is clinically proven to tighten, contour and rejuvenate the skin. In 2007, Thermage offered a new technology that contours the body and may help to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Thermage utilizes a unique form of Capacitive Radiofrequency (CRF) technology to tighten existing collagen and stimulate new natural collagen production. The procedure works by heating deep collagen fibers in the skin and underlying tissue, while protecting the skin's surface with a cooling spray. A handheld device briefly touches the skin, delivering energy deep beneath the skin. This deep uniform heating action causes the deep structures in the skin and underlying tissue to immediately tighten. Over time, new and remodeled collagen is produced to further tighten skin and renew facial contours. Immediate results are visible and continue to improve for up to six months. The Thermage procedure is fast and easy, and requires no downtime from normal activities. Unlike lasers, the procedure can be performed on patients of all skin colors.

Traditional Liposuction: In traditional liposuction, the cannula is connected to a powerful suction pump and inserted into the fat through small incisions in the skin. Fat is removed as the suction creates tiny tunnels through the fatty layers which collapse after the surgery and improve the body’s contour. Bandages are then applied to keep pressure on the area and stop any bleeding, as well as to help maintain shape. The bandages are usually kept in place for at least two weeks, but often two to three months. There are significant health risks related to the technique, anesthesia, and post-op recovery associated with traditional liposuction that are very serious and cannot be overlooked, especially when safer options are available.

Ultrasonic-Assisted Liposuction (UAL): Ultrasonic Assisted Liposuction uses high-pitched sound waves to liquefy or “melt” fat before it is removed. The first step in the UAL procedure is the injection of tumescent fluid, which is a mixture of anesthetic, salt water solution and epinephrine, into the area being treated. This helps prevent fluid loss during the fat removal process and makes the fat deposits easier to remove. During UAL, a generator transmits ultrasonic waves to the cannula. When the cannula comes into contact with the fat cells, they quickly liquefy, and are vacuumed out. The advantages of UAL are counterbalanced, however, by the significant risks associated with the procedure. Many patients sustain substantial scarring or dimpling from the cannula getting too close to the skin, and there is also a substantial risk of burning the skin. UAL is usually performed under general anesthesia or conscious sedation.

Virtual Consultation: A virtual consultation is a service we provide at Coressence to accommodate our out-of-town patients. A virtual consultation is similar to an in-person consultation, in that we discuss the patient’s current situation, goals and expectations, and develop an individualized plan designed to achieve optimal results for that patient. We also develop a specific price quote, and we can help the out-of-town patient apply for any financing options that he or she may be qualified for. The major difference between a virtual consultation and an in-person consultation is that the majority of the communication is by phone, e-mail, and/or fax. It is particularly helpful if a patient engaging in a virtual consultation can send photographs of the area(s) he or she desires to treat. We will then conduct an abbreviated in-person consultation the day of the procedure to address any issues or concerns that we were not able to address earlier.

Visia Complexion Analysis: The VISIA system’s multi-spectral imaging and analysis provides a clear, multi-dimensional portrait of individual aspects of your complexion. With VISIA’s precise imaging of all areas affecting the appearance of your skin, we can present optimal rejuvenation options for your unique combination of facial characteristics. Perhaps even more compelling, the VISIA complexion analysis provides concrete, measurable scientific evidence of the efficacy of our treatments.

Volumalift: Volumalift is a safe, non-surgical, injectable face lift designed to restore youthful contours. Volumalift is a specific application of either Restylane or Radiesse, and occasionally Juvederm. Its purpose is to fill in and lift the overlying facial skin through volumetric replacement of soft tissue that has been lost with age. The Volumalift procedure is a series of injections in the cheeks, naso-labial fold, above the eyelid/below the eyebrow, sometimes in the forehead, and any other areas that may require additional volume. The procedure produces immediate results that last approximately 7 to 18 months.