GLOSSARY · A–Z · PLAIN ENGLISH
Labels and clinic information use a lot of words that sound simple but carry real weight once you’re weighing up a treatment. Here are the ones you’ll meet most often, each explained in a sentence or two.
INDEX · THREE GROUPS
A–C · D–M · P–S
Fifteen terms, from active ingredient to SPF, each in a sentence or two.
TERMS
A – C
Active ingredient: the ingredient in a product that does the main job the label describes. Everything else helps it spread, keep or feel pleasant. More in Skincare basics.
Aftercare: what you’re asked to do and use after a treatment, such as avoiding sun or using certain products. It often costs money, so it belongs in your budget. See the cost guide.
Broad spectrum: a sunscreen label term meaning the product is designed to protect against both UVA and UVB rays, not just the rays that cause sunburn.
Consultation: an appointment before any treatment where a practitioner assesses your skin, explains options and answers questions. It’s your chance to ask about the whole course, not just the first visit. See Treatments.
Contraindication: a reason a treatment may not suit a particular person, such as a medication or skin condition. A practitioner should ask about these before going ahead.
Course: a planned series of sessions rather than a single visit. Many treatments are offered this way, which is why the number of sessions shapes the total cost.
TERMS
D – M
Dated source: information that shows when it was published or checked, so you can judge whether it’s still current. Every figure in our cost guide comes from a dated, citable source.
Downtime: the period after a treatment when your skin may look or feel different and you might want to adjust work or social plans. Ask about it at the consultation.
Last reviewed: the date a guide was last checked against its sources. It tells you how recently the information was looked at.
Maintenance: follow-up sessions after a course to keep up whatever the treatment aimed for. It’s the cost most often left out of a first quote. See Budgeting.
TERMS
P – S
Patch test: applying a small amount of a product to a small area of skin and waiting before using it more widely. It’s a simple habit covered in Skincare basics.
Practitioner: the person who carries out a treatment. It’s reasonable to ask about their training and who handles follow-up care.
Quote: the price a clinic gives you. Clinics often quote only a single session, so check what the figure includes. See the cost guide.
Session: one visit within a course. Session prices are easy to compare, but on their own they rarely show the full cost.
SPF: sun protection factor, the number on a sunscreen label that shows how well it protects against the burning (UVB) part of sunlight under test conditions. A higher number doesn’t mean you can reapply less often.
WHERE THESE WORDS COME UP
Skincare basics, explained plainly
Cosmetic treatments: what they involve