| Word | Description |
| camphors | Used topically as an antiitching agent. Derived as a gum from evergreens native to China and Japan. |
| carbohydrates | One of a group of chemical substances (including sugars) that contain only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Common in fruits, grains, and nuts, carbohydrates are thought to be the most common chemical compounds on earth. |
| carbolic acid | See phenol. |
| carbon dioxide (CO2) laser | Aggressive type of laser used for skin resurfacing, which vaporizes skin and causes thermal injury, allowing for improved collagen production. |
| catagen | The transitional phase of the hair follicle. |
| cautery | Tissue destruction, usually done using electricity. |
| cellulitis | A potentially serious infection of the skin. |
| Ceramides | A structural lipid present in the outer layer of the epidermis (or stratum corneum) that helps retain water in the skin. |
| CHEMICAL PEEL- A procedure in which an irritant such as an acid is applied to the skin to remove the | |
| chemoexfoliants | The use of chemical agents to exfoliate the stratum corneum. |
| Chi (or Qi) | Concept originally theorized by the Yellow Emperor of China's Han Dynasty. According to Chi, nature has a delicate balance and describes nature as an imbalance. |
| cholesterol | A precursor to most steroid hormones; a single molecule is called alcohol. chronic A disease or occurrence showing little or no change over a long period. |
| cinnamates | A derivative of cinnaminic acid, useful for protection against low levels of UVB rays. Also makes sunscreens waterproof. |
| citric acid | An AHA derived from citrus fruit (oranges, grapefruit, and so forth). |
| clindamycin hydrochloride | An antibiotic frequently used as a topical gel for the treatment of acne. |
| clinic protocols | Any set of rules or guidelines established by a clinic to ensure safe practice. These guidelines will vary by location yet are expected to be observed by clinicians working within the individual clinic. |
| Clostridium botulinum | The bacteria derived for Botox®. |
| cocamidopropyl betaine | A foaming agent used in shampoos and cleansers. |
| Collagen | The protein found in skin and cartilage, which, along with elastin, maintains the skin's elasticity, firmness, and strength. |
| Comedogenic | A pore-blocking ingredient that can cause breakouts. Products labeled "noncomedogenic" have been tested to show that their ingredients do not block pores. |
| comedone | A hair follicle that has been clogged with dried sebaceous and keratinous material. |
| condylomata acuminata | An infectious wart caused by the human papilloma virus and found in genital areas. |
| connective tissue | The connective tissue supports and binds other body tissue and body parts together. It is composed largely of collagen. |
| contact dermatitis | A skin rash resulting from an allergic compound to which an individual has been exposed. Poison ivy or poison sumac are classic examples of contact dermatitis. |
| cornified | Hardening or thickening of the skin. cosmeceutical Products that do more than decorate or camouflage but less than prescription drugs would do. The term was originally coined by Dr. Albert Kligman. |
| CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE | The accumulation of fat laden plaques within the walls of the blood vessels in the heart which interrupt blood flow to the heart muscle and cause "heart attacks". |
| corpuscle | Usually refers to a red or white blood cell of skin and hair, it refers to the middle layer of the hair shaft, which is housed between the medulla and the cuticle, the inner and outer layers of the hair shaft. |
| corticosteroid | Any of the natural or synthetic hormones produced in the adrenal cortex, which can be used to control inflammation. Used very commonly as a medication in dermatology. |
| corynebacterium acnes | Bacterium of the skin found in acne lesions. cosmetics Any product applied to the skin for purposes of beautification. |
| croton oil | A fixed oil extracted from the croton plant (castor oil). |
| CROW'S FEET | Lines around the outside corners of the eyelids which form during facial aging. They are caused by the pull of the muscles of facial expression. |
| cutaneous | Of or pertaining to the skin. |
| cuticle | The thin edge of tissue at the base of a nail; also the sheath of a hair follicle. |
| cutis | The skin. |
| cystic acne | A severe form of acne distinguished by large cysts and eventual scarring. |
| CYTOKINES | Chemical messengers released in the body after injury to a cell. They signal the elements from the blood stream to initiate the inflammatory response. |