areola reduction: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

areola reduction is a surgical procedure that decreases the diameter of the areola (the pigmented skin around the nipple). It is commonly performed for cosmetic goals such as size reduction or improved symmetry. It can also be used in reconstructive settings, including after breast surgery or chest reconstruction. The procedure typically removes a ring of areolar skin and closes the edge to create a smaller areola.

capsular contracture repair: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

Capsular contracture repair is a surgical approach to treat a tightened scar capsule that forms around a breast implant. It aims to improve firmness, shape distortion, discomfort, or implant displacement caused by that capsule. It is used in cosmetic breast augmentation and in reconstructive breast surgery after mastectomy. The exact method varies by clinician and case.

implant revision: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

implant revision is a procedure to change, correct, or remove a previously placed implant. It may involve replacing the implant, repositioning it, or adjusting surrounding tissues. It is commonly performed in cosmetic surgery and also in reconstructive surgery. The goal is to address concerns with appearance, comfort, function, or implant-related complications.

implant exchange: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

implant exchange is a surgical procedure that removes an existing implant and replaces it with a new implant. It is most commonly discussed in breast surgery, but the concept can apply to other implanted devices. It may be performed for cosmetic goals, reconstructive needs, or both. The operation may also include adjustments to the implant pocket or surrounding capsule to improve fit and position.

en bloc capsulectomy: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

en bloc capsulectomy is a surgical technique that removes a breast implant and the surrounding scar tissue capsule in one intact piece. The capsule is not intentionally opened during removal, with the goal of keeping the implant and capsule together. It is used in cosmetic breast implant surgery and in reconstructive breast surgery. It is one specific form of “capsulectomy,” which broadly means removal of the implant capsule.

capsulectomy: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

capsulectomy is a surgical procedure that removes some or all of the scar tissue “capsule” that forms around an implant. It is most commonly discussed in breast implant surgery, but a capsule can form around other implanted medical devices as well. The goal is to address problems related to the capsule, the implant, or both. It is used in cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery, depending on the patient’s situation.

reduction mammoplasty: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

reduction mammoplasty is a surgical procedure that reduces breast size by removing breast tissue and skin. It also reshapes the breast and typically repositions the nipple–areola complex to fit the new breast contour. It is used in cosmetic surgery to change breast proportion and in reconstructive settings to improve comfort and function. The exact technique and extent of reduction vary by anatomy, goals, and clinician approach.

breast reduction: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

breast reduction is a surgical procedure that reduces breast size by removing breast tissue and skin. It also reshapes the breast and typically repositions the nipple–areola complex to match the new breast shape. It is used in both cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. The goal is to better balance breast size with the person’s body and symptoms.

mastopexy: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

mastopexy is a surgical breast lift that reshapes and repositions the breast tissue and nipple-areola complex. It is used to address breast droop (ptosis) and changes in breast shape over time. mastopexy is most commonly performed in cosmetic surgery, and it can also be used in reconstructive contexts. It does not inherently increase breast volume, although it may be combined with other procedures that do.

breast lift: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

A breast lift is a surgical procedure that reshapes and raises the breast by repositioning tissue and removing excess skin. It is also called **mastopexy** in clinical settings. It is commonly used in **cosmetic surgery** and may also be used in **reconstructive and symmetrizing** contexts. It focuses on breast position and shape rather than substantially changing breast volume (though volume can be adjusted with other procedures).

breast augmentation: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

breast augmentation is a procedure that increases breast volume and changes breast shape. It is most often performed with breast implants or with a patient’s own fat (fat transfer). It can be used for cosmetic goals (appearance and proportion) and reconstructive goals (restoring volume after surgery). The final look varies by anatomy, technique, and clinician.

scalp micropigmentation: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

scalp micropigmentation is a cosmetic tattooing technique that places tiny pigment deposits in the scalp skin. It is designed to mimic the appearance of hair follicles or increased hair density. It is commonly used for cosmetic concerns like thinning hair and hairline definition. It can also be used in reconstructive settings, such as camouflaging scars.

FUT hair transplant: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

FUT hair transplant is a surgical hair restoration technique that moves hair follicles from a donor area to areas of thinning or baldness. It is also called “strip harvesting” because a thin strip of scalp is removed from the donor region and then dissected into grafts. The grafts are placed into tiny recipient sites to recreate hair coverage and hairline shape. It is used primarily for cosmetic hair restoration and may also be used in selected reconstructive settings.

FUE hair transplant: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

FUE hair transplant is a hair restoration procedure that moves a person’s own hair follicles from one area to another. It uses follicular unit extraction, where follicles are removed one by one rather than as a strip of skin. It is most commonly used in cosmetic hair restoration for scalp hair loss. It may also be used in reconstructive settings, such as restoring hair in scars or selected facial hair areas.

hair transplantation: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

hair transplantation is a surgical procedure that moves hair-bearing follicle units from one area of the body to another. It is most commonly used to restore hair on the scalp in patterns of thinning or baldness. It can also be used for reconstructive goals, such as restoring hair in scars or after certain injuries. The goal is to create the appearance of natural hair growth in the treated area.

lipofilling: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

lipofilling is the transfer of a person’s own fat from one body area to another to restore or add volume. It is also called autologous fat transfer or fat grafting. It is used in cosmetic surgery for contouring and rejuvenation and in reconstructive surgery for correcting defects. The goal is typically to improve shape, symmetry, and soft-tissue quality in selected areas.

nanofat grafting: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

nanofat grafting is a type of fat transfer that uses processed, highly emulsified fat for injection. It is designed less for adding bulk volume and more for addressing skin quality concerns. Clinicians commonly use it in cosmetic procedures and sometimes in reconstructive care. It is typically injected with fine needles or cannulas into superficial tissue planes.

microfat grafting: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

microfat grafting is a fat transfer technique that moves a person’s own fat from one area to another in small, refined parcels. It is commonly used to restore or smooth soft-tissue volume in cosmetic procedures and in reconstructive settings. “Microfat” refers to fat that has been harvested and processed so it can be injected through relatively fine cannulas. The goal is typically subtle, natural-feeling contour and volume enhancement rather than large-volume augmentation.

autologous fat transfer: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

autologous fat transfer is a procedure that moves fat from one area of the body to another. It uses the patient’s own tissue, typically harvested with liposuction and then injected for volume restoration. It is used in cosmetic surgery (for contouring and rejuvenation) and reconstructive surgery (for correction after injury, disease, or prior surgery). It is also called fat grafting or lipofilling in clinical settings.