dermal

adjective

der·​mal ˈdər-məl How to pronounce dermal (audio)
1
: of or relating to skin and especially to the dermis : cutaneous
2

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The word dermal often comes up nowadays in connection with cosmetic treatments. Dermal therapy usually means restoring moisture to dry, cracked skin. Dermal fillers such as collagen can be injected to fill in acne scars or reduce wrinkles. These have now been joined by treatments like Botox, which paralyzes facial dermal muscles, again in order to reduce wrinkles (since those dermal muscles are used to form expressions). A synonym for dermal is cutaneous.

Examples of dermal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Similarly, the pairing of chemical peels with dermal fillers or Botox injections can rejuvenate the complexion while simultaneously restoring volume. Matt King, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 While last year the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery reported that filler was still one of the top minimally invasive aesthetic treatments of 2023, a report from a few years back also showed a sharp 57% increase in dermal filler reversals in just one year. Audrey Noble, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2024 The trend is moving from predominantly rejuvenating superficial dermal filler treatments, to regenerative injectables that stimulate greater production of what’s already in the body. Dahvi Shira, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024 Shark skin, too, is covered with dermal denticles—tiny teeth, which keep away the barnacles that plague whales. Katherine Rundell, The New Yorker, 29 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for dermal 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dermal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1803, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dermal was circa 1803

Dictionary Entries Near dermal

Cite this Entry

“Dermal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dermal. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

dermal

adjective
der·​mal ˈdər-məl How to pronounce dermal (audio)
: of or relating to the dermis or epidermis : cutaneous

Medical Definition

dermal

adjective
der·​mal ˈdər-məl How to pronounce dermal (audio)
1
: of or relating to skin and especially to the dermis : cutaneous
2

More from Merriam-Webster on dermal

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