outpatient surgery is a planned procedure where you go home the same day instead of staying overnight. It can be performed in a hospital, ambulatory surgery center, or appropriately equipped office-based setting. It is used in cosmetic surgery, reconstructive surgery, and general surgical care. Whether a procedure qualifies depends on the operation, anesthesia needs, and patient health factors.
ambulatory surgery is surgery performed without an overnight hospital stay. Most patients arrive, have the procedure, recover for a short period, and go home the same day. It is commonly done in hospital outpatient departments, ambulatory surgery centers, or some accredited office-based settings. In plastic surgery, it may be used for both cosmetic procedures (appearance-focused) and reconstructive procedures (function and form restoration).
An office-based procedure is a medical or aesthetic procedure performed in a clinician’s office or clinic setting rather than a hospital. It can include non-surgical treatments and select minor surgeries, depending on the facility, equipment, and staffing. In cosmetic and plastic surgery, it is commonly used for injectables, skin procedures, and some small operative revisions. It may be used for cosmetic goals, reconstructive needs, or both, depending on the case.
noninvasive describes an approach that does not break the skin or enter the body with instruments. In cosmetic and plastic care, it commonly refers to non-surgical treatments performed on the skin surface. It may be used in aesthetic care and, in some settings, reconstructive care for symptom relief or appearance support. Clinicians often contrast noninvasive with *minimally invasive* (small punctures or tiny incisions) and *surgical* (incisions and tissue dissection).
minimally invasive describes medical techniques that reduce tissue disruption compared with traditional open surgery. It often uses smaller incisions, needles, cannulas, or endoscopic instruments to access target anatomy. In cosmetic and plastic surgery, it commonly aims to improve appearance with less visible scarring and shorter downtime. It is used in both cosmetic and reconstructive care, depending on the concern and clinical goals.
revision surgery is a procedure performed to correct, refine, or restore results after a prior surgery. It may address appearance, symmetry, comfort, function, or healing-related concerns. It is used in both cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. The scope can range from a small adjustment to a more complex reoperation.
A reconstructive procedure is a medical or surgical intervention that restores form and/or function after injury, disease, or a congenital difference. It is most commonly used in plastic and reconstructive surgery, but can involve multiple specialties. It may rebuild missing tissue, improve symmetry, or help a body part work better. It can overlap with cosmetic surgery when improving appearance is part of restoring normal structure.
An elective procedure is a planned medical or surgical intervention that is scheduled in advance rather than performed as an emergency. It is chosen because it may improve appearance, comfort, function, or quality of life, even when it is not immediately life-saving. In cosmetic and plastic surgery, an elective procedure commonly includes aesthetic treatments and some reconstructive operations. Timing is flexible and typically depends on patient goals, health status, and clinician availability.
medical aesthetics is a clinical field focused on improving appearance using medical-grade procedures and products. It includes non-surgical, minimally invasive, and some surgical techniques performed or supervised by trained clinicians. It is commonly used in cosmetic care, and it can overlap with reconstructive care when appearance is affected by injury, illness, or treatment.
Dermocosmetics are skincare products formulated with active ingredients and designed to support skin health and appearance. They sit between “cosmetics” and “dermatology” in how they are developed and discussed in clinical practice. They are commonly used in cosmetic care and as supportive care alongside medical dermatology. They may also be used after reconstructive procedures to help maintain the skin barrier and improve comfort.
cosmetology is the field focused on improving appearance through beauty and aesthetic care. It commonly includes hair, skin, nail, and makeup services performed in salons, spas, and similar settings. In medical contexts, the term is sometimes used loosely to describe aesthetic services, but medical procedures require licensed healthcare clinicians. cosmetology can overlap with cosmetic care and post-reconstructive appearance support, depending on the setting.
A medical spa is a clinical setting that offers aesthetic and skin-focused treatments in a spa-like environment under medical oversight. It commonly provides minimally invasive and non-surgical cosmetic services, such as injectables and energy-based skin treatments. Unlike a traditional day spa, a medical spa typically involves medical evaluation, informed consent, and clinician-directed treatment plans. It is used primarily for cosmetic goals, and sometimes as supportive care for scars or skin changes after medical or surgical events.
aesthetic nursing is a nursing specialty focused on cosmetic and skin-related care. It involves assessment, education, and hands-on treatment support for aesthetic (appearance-oriented) concerns. It is commonly practiced in cosmetic medicine settings and may also overlap with reconstructive care after surgery or injury. Scope of practice varies by region, licensure, training, and clinical setting.
scar management is the set of medical and cosmetic methods used to help scars heal and look or feel more acceptable. It aims to improve scar color, thickness, texture, and how a scar moves with nearby skin. It is used in both cosmetic and reconstructive settings after injury, surgery, burns, and acne. It can involve home-based care, office-based treatments, and sometimes surgery.
wound care is the clinical management of an injury to the skin and underlying tissue to support safe healing. It includes assessment, cleaning, protection, and selection of dressings or closure methods. In cosmetic and plastic surgery, wound care commonly focuses on incision healing and scar quality. It is also used in reconstructive care for trauma, burns, grafts, and complex wounds.
burn surgery is a group of operations used to treat injuries caused by thermal, chemical, electrical, or radiation burns. It can be performed early to remove damaged tissue and help wounds heal, or later to improve scar-related function and appearance. It is commonly used in reconstructive plastic surgery and may overlap with cosmetic techniques when refining scars and contour. The exact plan depends on burn depth, location, overall health, and healing goals.
microsurgery is a surgical technique performed under an operating microscope or high-magnification loupes. It allows surgeons to join very small blood vessels, nerves, and other fine structures with specialized instruments and sutures. It is commonly used in reconstructive plastic surgery to restore form and function after injury, cancer, or congenital conditions. It can also support select cosmetic and aesthetic-focused procedures when precise tissue handling and blood supply are critical.
craniofacial surgery is a specialized area of surgery focused on the skull (cranium) and face (facial skeleton and soft tissues). It involves reshaping, repositioning, repairing, or reconstructing bones and related structures to improve function and/or appearance. It is used in reconstructive care (such as congenital differences or trauma) and can overlap with cosmetic and orthognathic (jaw) procedures. It is often performed by surgeons with dedicated craniofacial training, sometimes as part of a multidisciplinary team.
hand surgery is a group of procedures that diagnose and treat conditions affecting the hand, wrist, and sometimes the forearm. It includes reconstructive operations that restore function after injury, disease, or congenital differences. It can also include aesthetic (cosmetic) techniques aimed at improving the appearance of aging hands. Clinicians who perform it may come from orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, or general surgery backgrounds with specialized training.
oculoplastic surgery is a surgical subspecialty focused on the eyelids, eye socket (orbit), tear drainage system, and nearby facial structures. It includes procedures done for function (how the eyelids and tear system work) and appearance (cosmetic changes around the eyes). It is used in both reconstructive care (after trauma, tumors, or disease) and elective aesthetic surgery. It is typically performed by surgeons with focused training in eyelid and periocular anatomy.