Aesthetic Treatment Glossary
Plain definitions of the terms you will meet when reading about aesthetic treatments.
In Brief
This glossary gives plain definitions of the terms used in aesthetic medicine, from HIFU and SMAS to subcision and hyaluronidase. It also explains the names of Dr Sin Yong's own protocols, such as the VF Lift, Time Freeze Laser LCLR® and 4D Scar Reconstruction.
4D Scar Reconstruction
Dr Sin Yong's staged plan for depressed acne scars of mixed type. It treats tethering, lost volume, depth and surface texture in a set order: release, support, then resurfacing. Read more
4K Body Lift
Dr Sin Yong's body protocol on Secret DUO: radiofrequency through insulated microneedles, aimed at compact, resistant fat and the skin over it. It uses no muscle stimulation. Read more
Ablative laser
A laser that removes thin columns or layers of skin, such as CO2 or erbium. Recovery is longer than with non-ablative lasers. Read more
Acne scar
A permanent change in skin texture after inflamed acne. Most are depressed (atrophic), and the main types are rolling, boxcar and ice-pick. Read more
Alexandrite laser
A 755 nm laser used for hair removal and some pigment treatments, mostly on lighter skin tones. Read more
Androgenetic alopecia
Pattern hair loss, driven by genetics and hormones. It is the most common cause of hair thinning in men and women. Read more
Atrophic scar
A scar that sits below the skin surface because tissue was lost during healing. Read more
Biostimulator
An injectable that aims to prompt the body to make new collagen, such as calcium hydroxylapatite or poly-L-lactic acid. Read more
Botulinum toxin
A purified neurotoxin injected in small doses to relax selected muscles, used for movement lines and enlarged jaw muscles. Read more
Boxcar scar
A wide acne scar with a flat base and defined vertical walls. Read more
Calcium hydroxylapatite
A biostimulatory filler material made of microspheres in a gel carrier. Read more
CO2 laser
An ablative laser at 10,600 nm, often delivered in fractional columns for texture, scars and resurfacing. Read more
Collagen
The main structural protein in skin, which falls with age and sun exposure. Read more
Cryolipolysis
Controlled cooling aimed at localised fat. A rare side effect is paradoxical adipose hyperplasia. Read more
Dermal filler
An injectable gel used to add volume or support contour. Most are hyaluronic acid. Read more
Fitzpatrick scale
A six-point scale of skin type based on how skin responds to the sun. It guides laser settings. Read more
Fractional laser
A laser that treats tiny columns of skin and leaves the surrounding skin intact, which helps healing. Read more
Filler nodule
A firm lump after filler. It can be a cluster of product, an over-response of collagen or an inflammatory reaction, so it is examined and scanned before it is treated. Read more
FSX Laser
A non-ablative fractional laser protocol pairing 1540 nm and 1927 nm, for fine lines, pores, superficial scars and early laxity. The skin surface stays intact. Read more
HIFU
High-intensity focused ultrasound, which heats tissue at set depths under the skin without incisions. Read more
Hyaluronic acid
A sugar molecule that holds water. In gel form it is used in most dermal fillers and skin boosters. Read more
Hyaluronidase
An enzyme injected to break down hyaluronic acid filler. It is used for overfilled areas and in emergencies. Read more
Ice-pick scar
A narrow, deep acne scar that runs like a tract through the dermis. Read more
Keloid
A raised scar that grows beyond the original wound. It is managed differently from pitted scars. Read more
Lipo-remodelling
The part of Time Freeze Laser LCLR® that uses controlled bulk heating on superficial fat and settled product, in zones selected at assessment. Read more
Luminescence Laser Lift
A non-ablative 1540 nm laser protocol for shallow scars, pores, texture and mild laxity. Read more
Masseter hypertrophy
Enlargement of the chewing muscle at the jaw angle, which can make the lower face look square. Read more
Melasma
Chronic brown-grey patches, usually on the cheeks and forehead, influenced by sun and hormones. It can return after treatment. Read more
Microliposuction
Liposuction on a small scale, using fine cannulas. It is surgery, and in Singapore it falls under the liposuction rules. Read more
Monopolar radiofrequency
Radiofrequency energy delivered from one electrode with a return pad, used to heat deeper tissue. Read more
Nasolabial fold
The crease from beside the nose to the corner of the mouth, also called a smile line. It often deepens as the cheek above it changes. Read more
Nd:YAG laser
A laser at 1064 nm that penetrates more deeply, used for hair removal, vessels and pigment, including on darker skin. Read more
Non-ablative laser
A laser that heats skin without removing the surface, so recovery is usually shorter. Read more
Non-surgical Brazilian butt lift
A buttock plan without fat transfer, implants or general anaesthesia. It may combine radiofrequency, laser and a dilute biostimulator, chosen at assessment, for shape and firmness, not size. Read more
PDRN
Polydeoxyribonucleotide, a DNA-derived ingredient used in some skin boosters. Read more
Picosecond laser
A laser with pulses in trillionths of a second, used for pigment and tattoo ink. Read more
Pillow face
An overfilled appearance caused by too much filler or filler migration. Read more
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
Dark marks left after inflammation, such as acne or a burn. It is more common in Asian and darker skin. Read more
Radiofrequency
Electrical energy that heats tissue. It is used for skin tightening and body contouring. Read more
Rolling scar
An acne scar with a wavy surface, caused by fibrous bands pulling the skin down. Read more
Rosacea
A long-term condition with facial redness, visible vessels and sometimes bumps. Read more
RVR ProLift
Refinement with Vertical Restoration: a threadless, non-energy lifting protocol that places collagen-stimulating product along mapped vectors. Read more
S3 Resurfacing Lift
Dr Sin Yong's mapped fractional CO2 protocol for depressed acne scars on the DEKA SmartXide Tetra Pro. S3 stands for Stack, Scan and Sculpt, and tethered scars are released first. Read more
Sculpting mode
The mode of Time Freeze Laser LCLR® directed at superficial fat and settled filler in selected zones, without an incision. Read more
Skin booster
An injectable placed superficially, aimed at hydration and skin quality rather than shape. Read more
SMAS
The superficial musculoaponeurotic system, a fibrous layer of the face that surgeons lift in a facelift. Read more
Subcision
A needle technique that releases the fibrous bands under tethered scars. Read more
TCA CROSS
Focal application of concentrated trichloroacetic acid into ice-pick scars. Read more
Telangiectasia
Small, visible dilated blood vessels on the skin. Read more
Thread lift
A procedure that places absorbable sutures under the skin, aimed at mild to moderate sagging. Read more
Time Freeze Laser LCLR®
Dr Sin Yong's own long-pulsed 755 nm and 1064 nm laser protocol, named for Laser Collagen Lipo Remodelling. He uses it for lifting, excess filler, and sagging areas with loose fat. Read more
Time Freeze Laser LCLR® Bodylift
The body version of Time Freeze Laser LCLR®, for skin that has loosened over a thin layer of fat on the tummy, arms, thighs or the fold under the buttock. Read more
Tyndall effect
A bluish tint seen when filler is placed too superficially, often under the eyes. Read more
Ultrasound mapping
A scan used to locate filler or grafted fat, and to measure its size and depth, before any treatment. Read more
Vascular occlusion
A blocked blood vessel caused by filler. It is an emergency that can harm skin or vision. Read more
Vertical Figure Lift
The body version of the VF Lift: Volnewmer monopolar radiofrequency on lax skin of the arms, abdomen, thighs, above the knees and the fold under the buttock. It does not remove fat. Read more
VF Lift (Vertical Facelift)
Dr Sin Yong's lifting protocol on Volnewmer 6.78 MHz monopolar radiofrequency, planned along vertical lines for the forehead and temples, eyes, mid-face, jowls, jawline and neck. Read more
General information only. Last updated 12 November 2026.