Browse 33 essential beauty salon terms and definitions used by professionals in West Palm Beach.
Term Index
Open any term below for a dedicated definition page.
AHAs are a group of water-soluble acids derived from fruits, milk, Or sugar cane that exfoliate the skin's surface. AHAs work by loosening the bonds between dead skin cells, promoting cell turnover, And revealing smoother, brighter skin underneath. Common AHAs include glycolic acid, lactic acid, And citric acid, often used in skincare products and professional treatments.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids are a group of natural and synthetic acids used in skincare to exfoliate dead skin cells, improve texture, And reduce signs of aging. Derived from fruits, milk, Or sugar cane, they dissolve the bonds between skin cells, allowing smoother, brighter skin to emerge. Common types include glycolic acid, lactic acid.
Beta Hydroxy Acid is a group of oil-soluble exfoliating compounds used in skincare to penetrate deep into pores, dissolve excess oil, And remove dead skin cells. The most common type, salicylic acid, treats acne, blackheads, And uneven skin texture by unclogging pores and reducing inflammation without stripping the skin’s natural moisture.
Collagen Induction Therapy is a minimally invasive skin treatment that uses fine needles to create tiny punctures in the skin. These micro-injuries stimulate the body’s natural healing process, boosting collagen and elastin production to improve skin texture, reduce scars.
Comedones are small, flesh-colored or dark bumps that form when hair follicles become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, And bacteria. Comedones appear most often on the face, neck, chest, And back and are a primary sign of acne. They come in two main types: open comedones (blackheads) and closed comedones (whiteheads).
Dermaplaning is a non-invasive exfoliation treatment that uses a sterile surgical scalpel to gently scrape away dead skin cells and fine vellus hair (peach fuzz) from the face. This process reveals smoother, brighter skin, improves product absorption, And reduces the appearance of fine lines, acne scars, And dullness without chemicals or downtime.
Dermis is the thick, middle layer of skin located between the outer epidermis and the deeper subcutaneous tissue. Dermis contains blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, sweat glands, collagen, elastin, And connective tissue, providing strength, elasticity.
Epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin, acting as a protective barrier against environmental damage, bacteria, And moisture loss. Composed mainly of keratinocytes, it regenerates every 4-6 weeks and determines skin tone through melanin production. This layer plays a key role in touch sensation and immune defense. Though it lacks blood vessels.
Fitzpatrick Scale is a numerical classification system that ranks human skin color and its response to ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. Developed in 1975 by dermatologist Thomas Fitzpatrick, it categorizes skin into six types (I to VI) based on melanin levels, sunburn risk.
Free Radicals are unstable molecules that form naturally in the body or from external sources like UV rays, pollution, And smoke. They damage skin cells by stealing electrons, leading to aging signs like wrinkles, dullness, And loss of elasticity. Antioxidants neutralize them to protect skin health.
Glycolic Acid is a colorless, odorless alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from sugar cane. It's one of the smallest AHAs, allowing it to penetrate the skin easily. Glycolic Acid works by dissolving the bonds between dead skin cells, promoting exfoliation and revealing smoother, brighter skin underneath.
Hydrafacial is a multi-step, non-invasive skin treatment that combines cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, hydration, And antioxidant protection in a single session. Hydrafacials use a patented device to deliver serums tailored to specific skin concerns, such as acne, dryness.
Hyperpigmentation is a common skin condition where patches of skin become darker than the surrounding area due to excess melanin production. It can result from sun exposure, hormonal changes, inflammation, Or skin injuries. While usually harmless, it often affects appearance and may signal underlying skin health concerns.
Kojic Acid is a natural skin-lightening agent derived from fungi, particularly species used in fermentation processes like Japanese sake and soy sauce. Kojic Acid works by inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in melanin production, making it effective for treating hyperpigmentation, dark spots, And uneven skin tone.
Lactic Acid is a colorless, water-soluble alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally produced by muscles during intense exercise and found in sour milk products like yogurt. In skincare, Lactic Acid is synthetically derived to gently exfoliate dead skin cells, promote hydration.
LED Light Therapy is a non-invasive skin treatment that uses specific wavelengths of light emitted by light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to target various skin concerns. LED Light Therapy promotes collagen production, reduces inflammation, And improves skin tone without damaging the skin’s surface, making it suitable for most skin types.
Lymphatic Drainage is a gentle massage technique designed to stimulate the flow of lymph fluid through the body’s lymphatic system. This process helps remove waste, toxins, And excess fluid from tissues, supports immune function, And reduces swelling or puffiness, often used in post-surgical recovery, detoxification.
Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive skin-resurfacing treatment that gently exfoliates the outer layer of dead skin cells using fine crystals or a diamond-tipped wand. It improves skin texture, reduces fine lines, And minimizes pores by stimulating cell turnover and collagen production, leaving skin smoother and brighter.
Microneedling is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that uses fine needles to create tiny punctures in the top layer of skin. These controlled micro-injuries trigger the body’s natural healing process, stimulating collagen and elastin production to improve skin texture, reduce scars, fine lines, And hyperpigmentation, And enhance overall skin firmness and smoothness.
Oxidative Stress is a harmful process that occurs when there is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells, proteins, And DNA. While antioxidants neutralize them. This imbalance can lead to aging, inflammation, And skin damage like wrinkles or dullness.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as building blocks for proteins like collagen and elastin in the skin. Peptides signal skin cells to produce more collagen, helping reduce fine lines, improve firmness, And support the skin’s natural repair process. They're commonly used in serums, creams.
Retinoids are a class of chemical compounds derived from vitamin A that are used in skincare to promote cell turnover, reduce fine lines, And improve skin texture and tone. They work by stimulating collagen production and accelerating the shedding of dead skin cells, making them effective for treating acne, hyperpigmentation, And signs of aging.
Salicylic Acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) derived from willow bark and other plants. It acts as a keratolytic agent, meaning it helps dissolve dead skin cells and excess oil, making it highly effective for treating acne, blackheads, And clogged pores. It's oil-soluble, allowing it to penetrate deep into pores to exfoliate and reduce inflammation.
Sebaceous filaments are tiny, hair-like structures found in pores, primarily on the nose, cheeks, And chin. They consist of sebum (natural skin oil) and dead skin cells that help channel oil to the skin’s surface to keep it moisturized. Unlike blackheads, they're a normal part of skin function and not a form of acne.
Sebum is an oily, waxy substance produced by sebaceous glands in the skin. Sebum lubricates, waterproofs, And protects the skin and hair by preventing dryness and providing a barrier against bacteria and fungi. Overproduction or underproduction of sebum can lead to skin issues like acne or dryness.
Skin Barrier is the outermost layer of the skin, called the stratum corneum, that acts as a protective shield. It prevents harmful substances like bacteria, pollutants.
Skin Elasticity is the ability of skin to stretch and return to its original shape without sagging or wrinkling. It relies on proteins like collagen and elastin, which provide structure and flexibility. Healthy elasticity keeps skin firm, smooth, And youthful. While loss of elasticity leads to visible signs of aging such as fine lines and loose skin.
Skin pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline the surface of the skin is, typically ranging from 4.5 to 5.5 on the pH scale. This slightly acidic environment, called the acid mantle, helps protect against bacteria, pollution, And moisture loss while maintaining a healthy skin barrier.
TEWL is the amount of water that passively evaporates through the skin’s outer layer, the epidermis, into the air each day. TEWL stands for Transepidermal Water Loss. Healthy skin keeps TEWL low. While damaged or dry skin lets more water escape, leading to dehydration and sensitivity.
Transepidermal Water Loss is the natural process where water passes from the deeper layers of the skin through the epidermis and evaporates into the air. This passive diffusion occurs constantly and is essential for maintaining skin hydration, But excessive loss can lead to dryness, irritation, And a weakened skin barrier.
Tretinoin is a prescription-strength retinoid, a derivative of vitamin A, used primarily to treat acne, reduce fine lines, And improve skin texture and tone. Tretinoin works by accelerating cell turnover, unclogging pores, And stimulating collagen production, leading to clearer, smoother, And more youthful-looking skin over time.
Vitamin C Serum is a lightweight, fast-absorbing skincare product containing a high concentration of L-ascorbic acid, a potent antioxidant. Vitamin C Serum helps brighten skin, reduce dark spots, protect against sun damage, And boost collagen production when applied topically. It's typically used in morning routines for maximum effectiveness.
Zinc Oxide is a white, powdery mineral compound made from zinc and oxygen. It acts as a physical barrier on the skin, reflecting and scattering ultraviolet (UV) rays to protect against sunburn and premature aging. Zinc Oxide is also used in skincare for its soothing, anti-inflammatory, And antimicrobial properties.
