THE GLOSSARY: Your Guide To The Terms Every Aesthetics Insider Knows

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BBL (BroadBand Light)

What it is: An advanced type of IPL (intense pulsed light) that uses specific wavelengths to target skin concerns and signs of photoageing.

What it does: Zaps pigmentation, broken capillaries, and redness from conditions such as rosacea. It also boosts collagen to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and enhance glow, and it can be used for hair removal.

What to know: A ‘lunchtime’ procedure with no downtime. It feels like a quick, warm rubber band snap on the skin, and a course of 3-5 sessions is recommended for maximum benefits.

Botox

What it is: A purified neurotoxic protein that blocks nerve signals to targeted muscles to temporarily relax them – most commonly the muscles you use for frowning, squinting, and raising your brows.

What it does: Smooths existing lines and, with regular use, prevents new ones from forming. It’s dubbed the ultimate ‘preventative’ treatment and can even be used to stop excess sweating.

What to know: A series of injections (quick and relatively painless). Results appear in about 5-7 days and last 3-4 months.

Dermal Filler

What it is: A gel, typically made of hyaluronic acid (a substance naturally found in your skin), used to add volume and shape.

What it does: Restores lost volume in cheeks, defines the jawline, plumps lips, and smooths deep folds. Filler is injected via needle or cannula and can be dissolved if you change your mind.

What to know: Results are immediate and last from 9-24 months, depending on the product and area of the face.

Important: While most are temporary and not commonly used, there are permanent filler options, but these carry a higher risk of complications and are not easily reversed.

Exosomes

What they are: Tiny messengers harvested from stem cells (can be human, plant- or animal-derived, or lab-made) packed with proteins and growth factors.

What they do: Deliver instructions to your cells to reduce inflammation, accelerate healing, and enhance regeneration. This means improved texture, tone, and elasticity as well as boosted collagen and elastin production, leading to fresher, younger-looking skin. Usually applied to skin after procedures such as Morpheus8 or microneedling to supercharge results.

What to know: Suitable for all skin types, they don’t irritate and can actually help calm and strengthen it.

HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound)

What it is: A non-surgical facial treatment that uses focused ultrasound energy to reach deep below the skin’s surface to stimulate collagen production, tighten, and lift.

What it does: It targets the foundational layer (the SMAS – superficial musculoaponeurotic system), causing it to contract and tighten, resulting in a noticeable lift, particularly for the jawline and brows. As it triggers the body’s natural healing response, it’s also a great treatment for pigmentation, scars, wrinkles, and dullness.

What to know: Results develop over 2-3 months as new collagen forms and it only takes 1-2 sessions. An annual top-up treatment is recommended to maintain results. It’s a popular alternative for those not ready for a surgical facelift.

LED Light Therapy

What it is: A gentle, non-invasive treatment using different wavelengths of lights to target specific concerns.

What it does: Red light builds collagen and calms inflammation. Blue light kills acne-causing bacteria. Yellow light soothes redness and rosacea. Green light treats pigmentation and sensitivity. It’s a zero-downtime, zero discomfort treatment for maintenance and overall skin health.

What to know: Often used as an add-on to other treatments or in a series of sessions.

Microneedling

What it is: A treatment that rolls or stamps fine needles over the skin to create controlled micro-injuries or ‘channels’ that allow topical products to penetrate deeper.

What it does: Triggers your body’s natural healing process, pushing it to produce new collagen and elastin. Great for smoothing fine lines and treating scars and large pores.

What to know: Minimal downtime (like mild sunburn). Multiple sessions are needed for best results.

Morpheus8

What it is: A device combining tiny needles with radiofrequency (RF) energy to treat both superficial and deeper skin layers for overall facial contouring and tightening.

What it does: The needles create micro-channels, and the RF energy zaps deep below to tighten skin and stimulate massive collagen production. It’s a powerhouse for lifting, smoothing texture, and treating acne scars and visible pores.

What to know: Some downtime is involved (expect some redness and swelling). A course of 1-3 sessions, spaced 4-6 weeks apart, is typical for facial rejuvenation, though more may be needed for body areas or severe scarring. Results develop over 3-6 months and can last for up to three years.

Profhilo

What it is: An ultra-pure, high-concentration hyaluronic acid. Think of it as an injectable moisturiser that works from within.

What it does: It bio-remodels your skin, boosting its own production of collagen and elastin for better hydration, elasticity, and that coveted ‘bouncy’ glow.

What to know: Not a filler. It doesn’t add volume in one spot but improves overall skin quality. Typically involves two sessions, four weeks apart, with results lasting about 6-9 months.

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)

What it is: Aka ‘The Vampire Facial’ – a treatment using growth factors from your blood. The blood is drawn, spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the healing platelets, then applied to your face.

What it does: Supercharges skin healing, improves texture and tone, and boosts collagen production. It can also be injected into the scalp to stimulate hair growth.

What to know: It’s either injected or microneedled into skin. Three is the magic number when it comes to how many treatments you need, but you can see results after one.

Polynucleotides (PNs)

What they are: Long chains of DNA, often from natural sources such as salmon, that act as bio- stimulators and cellular food for your skin.

What they do: Hydrate deeply and help repair damaged skin cells, improving its thickness, elasticity, and overall health at a fundamental level. They act like a reset button for tired skin, thanks to their ability to increase fibroblast activity (read: boosted collagen production), and to help skin retain moisture for a plumper, smoother, more radiant complexion.

What to know: A rising star in bio-rejuvenation, they’re delivered via injections or microneedling, with a course of three sessions being the optimal number. You will look red and bumpy after, but this usually goes down within 24 hours.

Sculptra

What it is: A biostimulator, not a traditional filler. Its main ingredient (PLLA) works gradually to stimulate the body’s own production of collagen over time.

What it does: Helps restore lost facial volume, smooth wrinkles, and improve elasticity and firmness for a very natural, subtle result. It’s for overall facial ‘re-inflation’, not sharp contouring.

What to know: Results appear gradually over several months and can last up to two years. It requires a series of injections over a few months.

Skin Boosters

What it is: Injectable treatments containing a mix of hyaluronic acid, vitamins, and minerals designed to hydrate and improve skin health at a deep level.

What it does: They flood the skin with moisture and nutrients, tackling dullness, fine lines, and uneven texture. Skin is visibly plumper and smoother, and enhanced collagen production means firmer, more supple complexions.

What to know: The difference between a booster and a filler is that boosters are for overall skin quality, while fillers are for volume and structure.