A keloid is an overgrown scar that extends beyond the original wound or incision. It forms when the body’s scar-building response continues longer than expected. A keloid can appear after acne, piercing, surgery, burns, or minor skin injury. It is commonly evaluated and treated in both cosmetic and reconstructive practice.

A hypertrophic scar is a raised, thickened scar that stays within the boundaries of the original wound. It forms when the body produces and organizes collagen in an exaggerated way during healing. It is commonly discussed in cosmetic and reconstructive care because it can affect appearance, texture, and symptoms like itching or tightness. It often develops after surgery, trauma, acne lesions, or burns, especially in areas under tension.

A scar is a permanent (or long-lasting) change in skin or tissue that forms after injury or surgery as the body heals. It is made of remodeled connective tissue and may look or feel different from nearby, uninjured skin. scar is commonly discussed in cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery because it can affect appearance, movement, and comfort.

atrophy is a decrease in the size, thickness, or volume of a tissue or organ over time. It can involve fat, muscle, skin, bone, or glandular tissue, and may affect appearance and function. In cosmetic and plastic surgery, atrophy is commonly discussed when volume loss creates hollowness, asymmetry, or contour changes. It is relevant in both reconstructive care (after illness, injury, or surgery) and aesthetic care (age- or medication-related changes).

lichenification is a skin change where the surface becomes thickened, leathery, and more prominently lined. It usually develops after repeated rubbing, scratching, or chronic irritation over time. Clinicians use the term in medical dermatology, and it can matter in both cosmetic and reconstructive planning because it affects texture, color, and healing behavior.

A fissure is a narrow cleft, slit, or groove in tissue. It can describe normal anatomy (a natural opening or groove) or a split caused by injury, dryness, inflammation, or congenital differences. In cosmetic and plastic surgery, fissure is commonly used as an anatomic descriptor and as a target for reconstructive correction.

excoriation is a clinical term for superficial skin damage caused by scratching, picking, rubbing, or friction. It typically describes partial loss of the epidermis (the outer skin layer) and may appear as linear scratches, scabs, or raw patches. It is commonly used in dermatology and wound documentation, and it can be relevant in cosmetic and reconstructive settings because it affects healing and scarring. In some contexts, excoriation also refers to self-inflicted skin lesions associated with repetitive picking behaviors.

An ulcer is an open sore caused by loss of skin or mucosal surface tissue. It often reflects deeper problems such as pressure, poor blood flow, infection, inflammation, or trauma. In plastic and reconstructive care, ulcer is a clinical finding that may require wound management or reconstruction. It can also be relevant in cosmetic settings when elective procedures are delayed or modified due to skin breakdown.

erosion is the gradual breakdown or thinning of tissue at a surface, often involving skin or mucosa. In cosmetic and plastic surgery, erosion commonly describes tissue loss over an implant, mesh, suture, or filler that may lead to exposure. It can occur in both reconstructive and aesthetic settings, especially where tissues are thin, tight, or under pressure. Clinicians use the term to document a specific pattern of tissue damage and to guide evaluation and management.

– crust is a dried layer of blood, serum, wound fluid (exudate), or medication residue that forms on the surface of skin. – crust commonly appears during normal wound healing and after many cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. – clinicians use the presence, thickness, and color of crust as a visual clue about healing and possible complications. – crust is related to a “scab,” but the terms are not always used identically in clinical notes.

Scaling is the visible flaking, shedding, or peeling of the outermost skin layer. It is a clinical description used in dermatology and aesthetic medicine to characterize skin texture changes. Scaling can be a sign of an underlying skin condition or a temporary response after resurfacing treatments. It is relevant in both cosmetic care (appearance and texture) and reconstructive care (skin health over scars or grafted areas).

dyspigmentation means an abnormal change in skin color compared with a person’s usual baseline. It includes darkening (hyperpigmentation), lightening (hypopigmentation), or a mixed pattern. The term is commonly used in cosmetic dermatology and plastic surgery when discussing skin tone changes after procedures. It is also used in reconstructive settings, such as pigment changes after injury, burns, or surgery.

hypopigmentation is a reduction in normal skin color caused by decreased melanin (skin pigment) in an area. It appears as lighter patches compared with the surrounding skin. It can occur after inflammation, injury, or medical and cosmetic procedures, or from pigment disorders. In cosmetic and reconstructive practice, it is mainly a condition clinicians assess, prevent, and treat rather than a desired outcome.

hyperpigmentation is a broad term for skin areas that look darker than the surrounding skin. It happens when melanin (skin pigment) is produced or deposited unevenly. It is discussed in both medical dermatology and cosmetic/plastic settings because it affects skin tone and visual uniformity.

ecchymosis is a larger, flat area of skin discoloration caused by blood leaking into the tissues (commonly called a “bruise”). It typically appears purple, blue, or dark red at first and then changes color as it resolves. Clinicians use the term ecchymosis in both cosmetic/plastic surgery and general medicine to describe and document bruising patterns. In aesthetic and reconstructive settings, ecchymosis is commonly discussed during recovery from surgery, injectables, and other procedures.

petechiae are tiny red, purple, or brown pinpoint spots on the skin or mucous membranes caused by small amounts of bleeding under the surface. They are usually flat (not raised) and often do not blanch (turn white) when pressed. In cosmetic and plastic surgery settings, petechiae are most often discussed as a physical finding after pressure, suction, trauma, or certain skin procedures. They can appear in both reconstructive and aesthetic care as a clue to skin or blood-vessel response.

purpura is a purple-to-red discoloration on the skin or mucosa caused by blood leaking from small vessels into surrounding tissue. It is a clinical finding (a sign), not a procedure or a product. It can appear after cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures, and it can also occur in general medical conditions. Clinicians use the term to describe and communicate a specific pattern of bleeding under the skin.

– erythema is a visible redness of the skin caused by increased blood flow in superficial vessels. – It is a clinical sign (a finding), not a diagnosis by itself. – It is commonly discussed in cosmetic dermatology and plastic surgery when assessing skin reactions to procedures. – It is also used in reconstructive settings to monitor inflammation, irritation, and healing.

telangiectasia is a visible widening of small, superficial blood vessels near the skin or mucosal surface. It often appears as fine red, pink, purple, or blue lines (“spider veins” on the face or legs). The term is used in both cosmetic care (appearance-focused treatment) and reconstructive/medical care (as a clinical sign). It describes a finding, not a single procedure.

A closed comedone is a type of acne lesion caused by a clogged hair follicle (pore) that is covered by a thin layer of skin. It often appears as a small, skin-colored or whitish bump and is commonly called a “whitehead.” It is used as a clinical term in dermatology and cosmetic skin care to describe non-inflammatory acne and texture irregularities. In plastic and cosmetic settings, it is relevant during skin assessment before and after procedures that affect the skin surface.