Skin Glossary | Clinique MEC

Understanding Your Skin: A Comprehensive Glossary At Clinique Médico Esthétique Complexions, we believe that informed patients achieve the best results. Our clinical glossary is designed to help you identify specific skin conditions and the advanced medical-grade treatments available to restore your skin’s health. Under the medical direction of Dr. Nyan Narine, our team utilizes cutting-edge biotechnology—including Exosomes, Microneedling, and BodyFX—to provide targeted solutions for your unique concerns.

GLOSSAIRE COMPLET

1. Laser hair removal services for all Skin Tones

• Fitzpatrick Skin Scale: A numerical classification for human skin color used to determine the correct laser energy for safety and efficacy.

• Melanin Protection: Safety protocols and technology (like Nd:YAG) used to protect the pigment in darker skin tones during laser treatment.

• Folliculitis: Inflammation of the hair follicles, often caused by ingrown hairs, which is permanently resolved through laser hair removal.

• Hormonal Hair Growth (PCOS): Excessive hair growth triggered by Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, managed through targeted clinical laser protocols.

• Paradoxical Hypertrichosis: A rare condition where light-based treatments stimulate more hair growth; prevented by using medical-grade cooling and specific wavelengths.

2. Skincare & Skin Health Glossary (Medical Facials)

• Acne: Clogged hair follicles due to oil and dead skin cells, manifesting as pimples, blackheads, or whiteheads.

• Asphyxiated Skin: Skin that appears lifeless and dull due to insufficient oxygenation and poor circulation.

• Milia: Small, white, keratin-filled cysts forming just beneath the skin’s surface.

• Sebaceous Hyperplasia: Enlarged glands appearing as soft, yellowish bumps, often on the face.

• Comedones: The clinical term for blackheads (open) and whiteheads (closed) caused by debris trapped in the pore.

3. Advanced Acne Scar Treatment Glossary

• Atrophic Scars: Depressed scars that sit below the surrounding skin, formed when the skin cannot regenerate enough tissue.

• Ice Pick Scars: Deep, very narrow scars that extend into the dermis, giving the appearance of the skin being punctured.

• Boxcar Scars: Round or oval depressions with steep vertical sides, similar to chickenpox scars.

• Dermal Remodeling: The process of breaking down old scar tissue to stimulate the production of new, organized collagen.

4. Advanced Restoration (Microneedling & Exosomes) Glossary

• Collagen Induction Therapy: The clinical name for Microneedling; using micro-injuries to trigger the body’s natural healing response.

• Surgical Scars: Thickened or discolored tissue resulting from incisions, treated by smoothing the texture through micro-channeling.

• Striae (Stretchmarks): Linear scarring caused by rapid stretching of the skin, resulting in a loss of elasticity and color.

• Micro-injury Response: The biological process triggered by microneedling that allows for the deep absorption of exosomes to maximize overall skin health. 

• Skin Texture Refinement: The clinical application of microneedling and exosomes to smooth uneven surfaces, minimize pores, and restore a luminous complexion. 

• Exosomes (Biotechnology): Advanced cellular messengers applied during microneedling to accelerate tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and stimulate intense collagen regeneration.

5. Pigmentation & Discoloration Glossary

• Melasma: Dark, blotchy patches often triggered by hormonal changes or sun exposure.

• Pregnancy Mask: A form of melasma specifically associated with hormonal shifts during pregnancy.

• PIH / Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation: Dark spots that develop following skin inflammation or injury (e.g., after acne).

• Solar Lentigo: Flat, brown lesions caused by chronic UV exposure, commonly known as sun spots.

6. Anti-Aging & Restoration Glossary

• Skin Creping: Thin, wrinkled skin resembling crepe paper, typically caused by aging and UV damage.

• Lax / Sagging Skin: Skin that has lost its resilience and firmness due to collagen degradation.

• Double Chin: Fat deposits or loose skin beneath the chin creating a sagging appearance.

• Textured Skin: An uneven surface caused by previous scars, dilated pores, or rough patches.

7. Vascular & Circulatory Glossary

• Couperose: Visible redness and broken capillaries caused by weakened blood vessels.

• Rosacea: A chronic condition marked by facial redness, visible blood vessels, and inflammatory bumps.

• Telangiectasia: Small, dilated blood vessels appearing as red or purple lines near the skin surface.

• Ruby Angiomas: Benign growths made of clusters of blood vessels, appearing as bright red spots.

8. Body Sculpting & Slimming Glossary

• Adipose Tissue: Localized fat deposits in specific areas such as the abdomen, thighs, or arms.

• Orange Peel Skin: The uneven, dimpled texture often associated with advanced cellulite.

• Banana Rolls: Specific fat deposits located directly under the buttocks.

• Bat Wing Arms: Sagging skin under the upper arms caused by reduced elasticity.

9. Medical Hair Regrowth Glossary

• Follicle Miniaturization: The process where hair follicles shrink over time, producing thinner and shorter hair until growth stops.

• DHT (Dihydrotestosterone): An androgen hormone that binds to hair follicles, causing them to weaken and stop producing hair.

• Traction Alopecia: Hair loss caused by repeated pulling or tension on the hair roots.

• Scalp Micro-channeling: A technique used to deliver growth factors directly into the scalp to wake up dormant follicles.

10. Injectables & Facial Contouring Glossary

• Bio-stimulators: Products like Sculptra or Radiesse that stimulate the body’s own collagen production for long-term volume.

• Neocollagenesis: The process of the body forming new collagen fibers, essential for firming and lifting the face.

• Nasolabial Folds: The deep lines running from the side of the nose to the corners of the mouth.

• Neuromodulators: Injections used to temporarily relax muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles (e.g., frown lines).