Lipo-suction/ lipectomy

removes adipose tissue with a suction pump device and is used primarily as cosmetic surgery to remove or reduce localized areas of fat, particularly in the neck, arms, legs, and belly.

Topical medications

are drugs placed directly on the skin.

Bacteriostatic

means inhibiting the growth of bacteria.

bactericidal

means killing bacteria.

Transdermal drug delivery

is a method of applying a drug to unbroken skin

antimicrobial

Medicine applied to broken skin to prevent infection.

antiperspirants

Compounds that act against or inhibit perspiration.

aspiration

Withdrawal of fluid from a cyst with a syringe.

biopsy

Removal of a small piece of tissue for microscopic examination to confirm or establish a diagnosis; abbreviated Bx or bx.

punch biopsy

an instrument called a punch is used to remove a small amount of material

cryosurgery

Use of subfreezing temperature to destroy tissue.

curettage

Scraping of material from a surface to remove abnormal tissue).

debridement

Removal of foreign material and dead or damaged tissue, especially from a wound.

dermabrasion

Treatment for the removal of superficial scars on the skin by the use of revolving wire brushes or sandpaper.

electrolysis

Destruction of a substance by passing electrical current through it. Laser treatments are sometimes used to destroy the hair follicles when hair is growing in an undesirable place.

electrosurgery

Surgery performed with electrical instruments that operate on high-frequency electric current and are often used to destroy skin lesions.

Mohs surgery

Tissue-sparing surgery, especially for the face; layers are removed and examined until the specimen is clear of malignancy (Fig. 12.27).

tattoo removal

Multiple treatments, either dermabrasion or laser removal. The age, density, type, and color of ink, as well as depth of pigment insertion, determine the number of treatments.