Definitions for skincare, treatment, and wellness terms used throughout our site.
| Term | Definition | Category |
|---|---|---|
|
Health Savings Account
HSA |
A special savings account that lets you set aside pre-tax money for medical expenses. Funds can be used for treatments that are medically necessary, including some cosmetic procedures prescribed by a healthcare provider. | Benefits |
|
Personal Health Spending Account
PHSP |
A health benefit provided by your employer that reimburses you tax-free for eligible medical expenses not covered by your regular health insurance. Can be used for medically necessary treatments prescribed by your healthcare provider. | Benefits |
|
Aftercare
aftercare |
The specific care instructions you follow after a treatment to ensure the best healing and results. | Clinical |
|
Botox / Neuromodulator
botox |
An injectable treatment that temporarily relaxes facial muscles to smooth wrinkles and prevent new lines from forming. | Clinical |
|
Charting / Clinical Documentation
charting |
The detailed notes we keep about your treatments to ensure consistent, personalized care. | Clinical |
|
Chemical Peel
chemical peel |
A treatment using safe acids to exfoliate your skin, revealing fresher, smoother skin underneath. | Clinical |
|
Chromophore (Target)
chromophore |
The specific substance in your skin (like pigment or redness) that the laser is designed to treat. | Clinical |
|
Collagen
collagen |
The main protein that gives your skin its strength and structure, naturally decreasing as we age. | Clinical |
|
Contraindication
contraindication |
A health condition or medication that means a particular treatment may not be right for you. | Clinical |
|
Dermaplaning
dermaplaning |
A gentle exfoliation treatment that removes dead skin cells and fine facial hair for smoother, brighter skin. | Clinical |
|
Downtime / Recovery Period
downtime |
The recovery time after a treatment when your skin may be red, sensitive, or peeling before revealing results. | Clinical |
|
Electronic Health Record
EHR |
A digital health record that can be securely shared between your healthcare providers. | Clinical |
|
Electronic Medical Record
EMR |
A secure digital system where your health information and treatment history are stored. | Clinical |
|
Esthetician / Aesthetician
esthetician |
A licensed skin care specialist trained to provide facial treatments, hair removal, and other cosmetic services. | Clinical |
|
Dermal Filler
filler |
Injectable gel used to restore volume, smooth lines, or enhance facial features like lips or cheeks. | Clinical |
|
Fine Lines
fine lines |
Small, shallow wrinkles that often appear around the eyes and mouth, usually the first signs of aging. | Clinical |
|
Fitzpatrick Skin Type Scale
Fitzpatrick scale |
A scale that helps us understand how your skin responds to light, so we can customize your treatment safely. | Clinical |
|
Fluence (Laser Energy)
fluence |
The energy level setting we use on the laser, adjusted specifically for your skin type and treatment. | Clinical |
|
Hyaluronic Acid (HA)
hyaluronic acid |
A naturally occurring substance in your skin that holds moisture and provides volume, often used in dermal fillers. | Clinical |
|
Hydradermabrasion
hydradermabrasion |
A gentle facial treatment that deeply cleanses and hydrates your skin using water-based technology. | Clinical |
|
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)
IPL |
A light-based treatment that improves skin tone, reduces redness, and treats sun damage without lasers. | Clinical |
|
Laser Hair Removal
laser hair removal |
A treatment that uses laser light to permanently reduce unwanted hair by targeting the hair follicle. | Clinical |
|
Melasma
melasma |
Dark patches of skin, often on the face, caused by hormones, sun exposure, or genetics. | Clinical |
|
Microblading
microblading |
A semi-permanent eyebrow technique using fine, hair-like strokes to create natural-looking brows. | Clinical |
|
Microneedling
microneedling |
A treatment that uses tiny needles to encourage your skin to naturally repair and rejuvenate itself. | Clinical |
|
Patch Test
patch test |
A small test we do on your skin before certain treatments to make sure you won't have a reaction. | Clinical |
|
Pigment
pigment |
Color in ink or natural substances that give your skin, hair, or permanent makeup their color. | Clinical |
|
Permanent Makeup
PMU |
Long-lasting cosmetic treatments like eyebrow enhancement that reduce daily makeup needs. | Clinical |
|
Post-Procedure Protocol
post-procedure-protocol |
A specific skincare routine to follow after a treatment, designed to help your skin heal properly and maximize your results. | Clinical |
|
Pulse Duration
pulse duration |
How long each burst of laser light lasts - we adjust this for the safest, most effective results. | Clinical |
|
Retinol
retinol |
A vitamin A derivative that helps reduce wrinkles, improve skin texture, and boost cell turnover. | Clinical |
|
Sunscreen / SPF
sunscreen |
A protective product that shields your skin from harmful UV rays that cause aging and damage. | Clinical |
|
Telehealth / Virtual Consultation
telehealth |
Video or phone appointments that let you connect with us from the comfort of your home. | Clinical |
|
Treatment Plan
treatment plan |
A personalized roadmap of recommended treatments designed to help you achieve your goals. | Clinical |
|
Thermal Relaxation Time (TRT)
TRT |
A timing measurement that helps us deliver laser energy safely without overheating surrounding skin. | Clinical |
|
Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid)
vitamin C |
A powerful antioxidant that brightens skin, protects against sun damage, and boosts collagen production. | Clinical |
|
Wrinkles
wrinkles |
Lines and creases that form in your skin as part of natural aging or from repeated facial expressions. | Clinical |
|
HEV Light (Blue Light)
hev-light |
High-energy visible light from your phone, computer, and TV screens that may contribute to dark spots and premature aging. | Environmental |
|
Particulate Matter (PM2.5)
particulate-matter |
Tiny airborne particles from wildfire smoke, car exhaust, and industry that can penetrate your skin and cause inflammation and aging. | Environmental |
|
Buy Now, Pay Later
BNPL |
A payment option that lets you split your purchase into smaller, interest-free payments. | Finance |
|
Appointment Type
appointment type |
The specific service or treatment you are booking. | Scheduling |
|
Availability
availability |
The times when appointments can be booked. | Scheduling |
|
Buffer Time
buffer time |
Extra time we schedule between appointments for preparation. | Scheduling |
|
Calendar
calendar |
The schedule showing available appointment times. | Scheduling |
|
Consultation
consultation |
A one-on-one meeting where we discuss your goals and create a personalized plan for you. | Scheduling |
|
Intake Form
intake form |
The health and information forms you complete before your appointment. | Scheduling |
|
Lead Time
lead time |
How far in advance you need to book an appointment. | Scheduling |
|
No-Show
no-show |
A missed appointment without advance notice. | Scheduling |
|
Touch-Up Appointment
touch-up |
A follow-up appointment to perfect your results, often included with your initial treatment. | Scheduling |
|
Waitlist
waitlist |
A list we maintain to contact you when an earlier appointment becomes available. | Scheduling |
|
Barrier Repair
barrier-repair |
Restoring your skin's protective outer layer after treatments or damage, using special ingredients that help rebuild its natural defenses. | Skincare |
|
Broad-Spectrum Protection
broad-spectrum-protection |
Sunscreen that protects against both UVA rays (which cause aging) and UVB rays (which cause sunburn). Look for this on any SPF product. | Skincare |
|
Corrective Aesthetics
corrective-aesthetics |
Active treatments that target specific skin concerns like dark spots, scars, or fine lines, going beyond daily skincare to deliver visible improvement. | Skincare |
|
EnviroScreen Technology
enviroscreen |
Colorescience's patented formula that protects your skin against UV rays, blue light, pollution, and infrared radiation all at once. | Skincare |
|
Free Radicals
free-radicals |
Unstable molecules from UV, pollution, and smoke that damage skin cells and speed up aging. Antioxidants help neutralize them. | Skincare |
|
Growth Factors
growth-factors |
Proteins that help your skin cells repair and regenerate. AnteAGE products use these to support skin healing and reduce signs of aging. | Skincare |
|
Mineral Sunscreen
mineral-sunscreen |
A type of sunscreen that uses natural minerals like zinc oxide to physically block UV rays. Gentler than chemical sunscreens and ideal for sensitive skin. | Skincare |
|
Niacinamide
niacinamide |
A form of Vitamin B3 that strengthens your skin barrier, helps fade dark spots, and reduces redness. Found in many professional skincare products. | Skincare |
|
Oxidative Stress
oxidative-stress |
Damage that happens when your body has too many free radicals and not enough antioxidants to fight them, leading to premature aging. | Skincare |
|
Photoaging
photoaging |
Premature skin aging caused by sun exposure over time. Responsible for most visible signs of aging like wrinkles, dark spots, and rough texture. | Skincare |
|
Skin Barrier
skin-barrier |
The outermost layer of your skin that protects against moisture loss and environmental damage. Keeping it healthy is essential for good skin. | Skincare |
|
Skin Health Philosophy
skin-health-philosophy |
A professional approach to skincare built on two pillars: Protect (daily defense and prevention) and Correct (treatments that fix existing concerns). | Skincare |
|
SPF (Sun Protection Factor)
SPF (Sun) |
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor — a number on sunscreen that tells you how much UVB protection it offers. SPF 30 blocks about 97%% of UV rays, and SPF 50 blocks about 98%%. No sunscreen blocks 100%%, and all sunscreens need to be reapplied every 2 hours. Look for "broad spectrum" on the label to ensure protection against both UVA and UVB rays. | Skincare |
|
Transepidermal Water Loss
transepidermal-water-loss |
Moisture that evaporates through your skin when its protective barrier is weakened, leading to dryness and sensitivity. | Skincare |
|
UV Index (Ultraviolet Index)
UV Index |
A number from 0 to 11+ that measures how strong the sun's UV rays are at a given time. The higher the number, the faster unprotected skin can burn. In Ottawa, UV is highest in June and July (7-8) and lowest in winter (1-2). Even on cloudy days, UV rays reach the ground — so daily sunscreen is recommended year-round. | Skincare |
|
Collagen Induction Therapy
collagen-induction-therapy |
A treatment that uses tiny needles to create micro-injuries in your skin, triggering your body to produce new collagen for firmer, smoother skin. | Treatment |
