Natural results
Nō Ka ʻOi Aesthetics
Glossary

Terms, in plain words

No jargon walls. Here is what the words on this site actually mean.

ARNP
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner. A nurse with graduate-level training who can assess, diagnose and prescribe. Stefanie Roberts, ARNP is our founder and medical director.
Neuromodulator
An injectable such as Botox, Dysport or Daxxify that softens the muscle movement that creates lines. Results build over a few days and fade over months.
Unit
The measure used to price neuromodulators. Your total depends on how many units your treatment areas need.
Dermal filler
A gel, usually hyaluronic acid, placed under the skin to restore volume or refine contour.
HydraFacial
A device-based facial that cleanses, exfoliates, extracts and infuses the skin in one visit, with no downtime.
Microneedling
Controlled micro-channels created in the skin to prompt new collagen. Used for texture, scarring and fine lines.
Collagen
The protein that gives skin its firmness. Production slows with age, sun exposure and inflammation.
Hyaluronic acid
A sugar molecule that holds water. Used topically for hydration and as the base of most fillers.
SPF
Sun Protection Factor. On Maui, daily broad-spectrum SPF does more for skin health than any single treatment.
IV nutrient therapy
Vitamins, minerals and fluids delivered into a vein so they bypass digestion.
GLP-1
A class of prescription medication used in medical weight loss that acts on appetite and blood sugar regulation.
Medical-grade skincare
Products with higher active concentrations, dispensed and guided by a clinician.
Downtime
The time after a treatment when skin is visibly recovering. HydraFacial has none; microneedling has a few days.
Consultation
A visit to review your history, look at your skin, and agree on a plan and a price before anything is booked.
Dysport
A neuromodulator Stefanie prefers for smooth, natural-looking results and a quick onset — usually visible in 2–7 days.
Daxxify
A longer-lasting neuromodulator option, useful if you want fewer treatments each year.
Intramuscular (IM) injection
An injection into the muscle, used for wellness injections like B12 so nutrients bypass digestion.
Micro-channels
The tiny controlled openings microneedling creates in the skin to trigger healing and new collagen.
PDGF
Platelet-derived growth factor. A regenerative add-on used with microneedling to support healing and results.
Vortex technology
The patented HydraFacial mechanism that exfoliates and extracts while infusing serums at the same time.
Décolleté
The chest and upper neck area. It ages quickly in Maui sun and is included in our microneedling treatments.
Elastin
The protein that lets skin snap back. Like collagen, it declines with sun exposure and age.
Barrier (skin barrier)
The outermost layer that holds moisture in and irritants out. Repairing it comes before adding strong actives.
Retinoid
A vitamin-A derivative that speeds cell turnover. Paused for several days before microneedling and HydraFacial.
Broad-spectrum SPF
Sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB. Mineral SPF 30+ daily is our standard recommendation here.
Mineral sunscreen
Zinc oxide or titanium dioxide sunscreen that sits on the skin. Gentler after treatments than chemical filters.
Hyperpigmentation
Darker patches from sun, inflammation, or hormones. Common and often stubborn in island climates.
Contraindication
A reason a treatment isn't safe for you right now — pregnancy, an active cold sore, or certain conditions.
Off-label
A legal, common use of an approved medication for something other than its original FDA indication.
Semaglutide / tirzepatide
GLP-1 medications used in medically supervised weight loss when appropriate for you.
Titration
Adjusting a medication dose gradually to balance results against side effects.
Starting price
The lowest price for a service. Your total is confirmed with you before treatment begins — always.
Aesthetic Record
The booking platform we use, so you can see real-time availability and reserve your own time.
Kamaʻāina rate
A resident rate for Hawaiʻi locals. Ask us — proof of residency required.
DHA
Dihydroxyacetone, the sugar-derived active in sunless tanning solution that develops color without UV.
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How this connects

Every term here belongs to a treatment we perform and a page that explains it in context.

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