Spa Terms Glossary

Glossary

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Acne Treatment
This treatment can be performed on the face or the body and varies with skin condition. A consultation with an aesthetician will determine the type of treatment that will work best with a person’s skin type. The treatment will begin by cleansing the skin, trying to remove as much dead skin, oil, and dirt as possible. Then, the use of steam as a deep-cleaning enzyme treatment will be applied. This is used to unclog pores, soften the skin, and make it easier to remove blackheads and whiteheads. Finally, a calming mask will hydrate, heal, and bring skin back into balance.
Acupressure
An ancient Chinese system of healing. By applying finger pressure to “energy points” on the body, muscle tension and related problems will be massaged out.
Acupressure facial
This is a finger massage used in the same way as regular acupressure, but applied to facial muscles only. This is done to obtain deep relaxation, relieve stress and prevent wrinkles.
Acupuncture
An ancient Chinese system of healing. A number of small needles will be placed into energy points across the body to promote the flow or energy and correct any imbalances throughout the body.
Alexander Technique
This is a type of massage that uses techniques to correct and improve posture and the way a person moves. This massage will help with the way a person walks, sits, and stands in efforts to prevent and relieve pain or stress we felt in daily life.
Algotherapy
This form of therapy uses a seaweed bath or body wrap in hopes to give your skin a radiant glow by exfoliating, hydrating, and removing toxins. The main goal of this procedure is to reduce pain and act as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Aromatherapy
This practice invigorates the senses by using essential oils or plant materials to alter anything from the mind to a person’s health. Essential oils are found in plants, leaves, bark, flowers, seed, and roots. Each individual essence or scent is used to produce a specific outcome. The main goal is to relax and soothe the mind, body, and soul.
Aromatherapy Body Salt Glow
An exfoliation treatment for the entire body. Uses a mixture of sea and mineral salts, as well as essential oils. The goal is to remove dead or dull surface skin to reveal a softer, smoother, and revitalized skin. It is also found to improve circulation in the body.
Aroma-stone massage
This massage uses warm or cold stones, which have been covered in massage oils and placed on the body. The stones provide the body with a high level of relaxation, relieving tension and aches in the muscles. The massage oils are custom picked and different for each customer based on your specific needs. There are several different stone massages.

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Bach cures
Another form of aromatherapy that uses flower remedies and oils.
Back Treatment
An acne treatment for prone areas of the back and shoulders. Skin is cleansed, exfoliated and revitalized.
Bamboo Therapy Massage
Technique that incorporates bamboo stalks of varying lengths and diameters to provide deep-tissue work. The sticks are sometimes heated or warmed. It also incorporates the use of essential oils. This type of massage is used to promote circulation and sensory nerve perception. A technique of lymphatic drainage provides a deep sense of relaxation and well-being.
Body Polish
A gentle buffing or massaging of the skin using botanical extracts or salts for exfoliation. It provides the skin with smoothness, similar to a salt glow.
Brush & Tone
A treatment where the dead layers of skin are removed through exfoliation and a dry-brushing technique. It removes impurities and stimulates cell circulation.
Buff & Tan
Includes an exfoliation of the face and body. After this, a self-tanning product will be evenly applied to the entire body. Skin will feel smooth and soft, and have a radiant bronze glow.

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Cathiodermie
This type of therapy is meant to rejuvenate and revitalize the outer layers of the skin. It involves the usage of high frequency and low-voltage electric currents and is usually performed on the face, neck, around the eyes, back and breast.
Caviar Facial Mask Treatment
Caviar is protein-rich and when put on the skin it results in a firming action because of its deep nourishment. You will see noticeable improvement on deep wrinkles and aging, no need for Botox.
Chai Hot Stone Massage
A soothing massage, using the traditional chai spices, where water-treated stones are specifically placed on the body to open up and balance energy pathways. This massage is great for the relief of stress on muscles and joints and alleviating pain in the body.
Collagen Facial
During a collagen facial the skin is cleansed, exfoliated, and a high concentration of collagen is massaged into the skin to make it look more young and firm. The collagen molecules help restore elasticity, even skin tone, increase moisture, and enhance the overall look of skin.

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Dead Sea Mud Treatment
Dead Sea mud is full of salt and minerals found in the waters of the Dead Sea. When applied all over the body, it nourishes the skin, exfoliates and tightens pores, and is also known to help clear up acne and psoriasis.
Deep Tissue Massage
This type of massage uses most of the same techniques and movements as a traditional massage but the pressure will be more intense. It is meant to relieve muscle tension and knots, helps improve posture and the way a person moves. It is important to drink lots of water beforehand to help flush lactic acid or waste products out of the tissues.

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European Botanical Facial
This is a customized facial meant to cleanse, exfoliate, and nourish the skin using botanical products. It will hydrate skin, leaving it smooth and glowing.

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Full Body Massage
A full body massage includes the system of kneading, pressing, and stroking the different areas of the body. The therapist will work all muscles from head to toe, relaxing the body and relieving pain.

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Glycolic Facial Treatment
Alpha hydroxy and glycolic acids are applied to the skin, removing dirt and oil, even skin tone, and help improve wrinkles. This treatment allows the topmost layer of skin to be peeled away revealing a fresh new skin that will look younger and firmer.
Goomage
Goomage is a cream or paste that is thinly applied to the skin and then rubbed off, removing the skin’s dead cells. It is a highly effective, but more labor-intensive way to exfoliate the face or body. It leaves the skin smooth and hydrated.  
Green Coffee Body Wrap
This is known as a slimming and toning wrap. Green coffee naturally stimulates the body’s ability to break down fat, which visibly reduces the appearance of cellulite by enhancing the texture of skin.

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Herbal Body Wrap
The body is wrapped in a bandage type cloth that has been saturated with various herbs meant to repair and cleanse tissues, detoxify the body, and promote relaxation. It is also used to eliminate cellulite and inches from the body, reduce pain, and increase energy level.
Hot Stone Massage
Heated, smooth, and flat rocks are placed at specific points on the body, where the heat causes the muscles to relax and allows the massage therapist to apply a more precise pressure to bring relief to sore or stiff muscles. There are several different types of hot stone massages.
Hot Stone Pedicures
A relaxing hot stone massage is applied to the calves and feet following a full pedicure.
Hydration Facial
Enzymes and hyaluronic acids are used to re-hydrate and nourish dry, sensitive skin. It also promotes cell regeneration.

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Japanese Enzyme Bath
Fibrous materials, such as wood chips, are mixed with other plant enzymes creating a naturally heated substance. A wooden tub is then filled with this mixture. When submerged into the mixture, you sweat out any toxins in the body. It also helps boost your metabolism and improves circulation.

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Lactic-Acid Peeling Treatment
This treatment uses a milk-based acid that safely removes the outer dead layers of skin. It hydrates the skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth and eyes. It is also used as a treatment for acne, to reduce scarring and hyper pigmentation.
Light Therapy Treatment
This treatment involves the skin being exposed to specific wavelengths of light. The amount, length, and color of light will be determined to fit a person’s specific skin type. Light therapy is used to treat several skin disorders like psoriasis and some acne. It also boosts collagen production to erase fine lines and wrinkles.
Lightening Treatment and Facial
This treatment uses a combination of chemical substances meant to lighten your skin tone. It also evens skin complexion by reducing the appearance of acne marks and other skin blotches. The treatment also works against the effect of harmful UV rays.

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Manicure
A manicure is a treatment for the fingernails and hands, usually consisting of filing and shaping, then applying a polish to the nails. A manicure includes soaking the hands, applying lotions, and massaging hands to improve circulation. Manicures are meant to keep skin and nails healthy by preventing damage and reduce the sign of aging. There are also several specialty manicures.
Massage
The rubbing, kneading, and stroking motions performed over the muscles and joints of the body. A massage is meant to relieve tension and pain. There are several different types of massage, with a wide range of techniques and purposes.
Mud Treatment
Mud is used in body wraps, mud baths, facials, and spa scrubs. Spa mud is clean, made from exotic elements, and is rich in minerals that help to increase circulation and provide muscle relaxation. Mud is usually applied all over the body at a set temperature and thickness.

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Oxygen Treatment
Oxygen is meant to revitalize the skin by attaching to collagen and elastin molecules, making them stronger. Oxygen is mixed with amino acids, enzymes, minerals and vitamins to strengthen and nourish your skin. It can be applied in a gas or liquid form. Oxygen treatments also help diminish the signs of aging.

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Paraffin Treatment
Paraffin is a type of wax that provides the skin with natural moisture, while increasing circulation, and softening the skin. Paraffin has a low melting point so the body or parts of the body can be submerged in the liquid without any pain or blistering. Once it is solidified, it is easily removable from the skin.
Paraffin Mud Treatment
Paraffin wax is combined with a mud treatment, giving you the benefits of both.
Pedicure
A pedicure is similar to a manicure, but it is performed on the feet, toes, and toenails. In addition to the services provided in a manicure, it usually includes a massage of the lower legs and calves. The bottom of the feet are exfoliated, removing dead and rough skin, and a polish is usually applied to the toenails.

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Rain Therapy
Type of massage meant to rejuvenate a person’s energy leaving you relaxed and feeling refreshed. To start, while lying down on the massage table, the therapist will hold the feet for five to ten minutes, the purpose being to center energy. Then, warm essential oils are dripped along the neck and back, mimicking raindrops, and releasing tension. The oils are then massaged into the skin.
Rosacea Treatment
This treatment is meant to help improve or diminish the appearance of rosacea and acne rosacea. Usually, the skin is cleansed and then enzyme and/or salicylic acid peels are applied, followed by finishing products. The process removes dead skin cells and helps to strengthen the capillaries, which stimulates natural skin renewal, leaving the skin softer and restoring even skin tone.

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Salt Glow
Course salt is rubbed over the body to remove the top layer of dead skin cells. This is an exfoliation treatment meant to increase cell circulation.
Seaweed Treatment
Seaweed treatments include facials and body wraps. A mixture of seawater and seaweed is spread over the face and/or body. The seaweed provides the skin with essential minerals and vitamins to help improve skin moisture, making it firmer. Seaweed also has been found to improve arthritis, muscle aches and pain, and helps remove toxic waste out of the body.
Sports Massage
A sports massage combines traditional Swedish massage techniques and deep muscle massage to target specific muscles used in athletic activities. It is often performed around the joints to reduce stiffness and soreness. It is best to receive a sports massage to either prepare for an athletic activity or used as a way to reduce pain after a vigorous workout.
Sugaring
Sugaring is a form of hair removal. Like waxing, it removes hair from the root, but is found to be slightly less painful because the sugar doesn’t stick to the skin. Sugar is combined with lemon and water and can be used to remove hair from the bikini area, eyebrows, chin, lip, and underarms.
Swedish Massage
A Swedish massage is the most common and widely used type of massage. It’s also found to be the most enjoyable. A combination of stroking and kneading muscles provide increased relaxation and reduces muscle pain and tension. It also increases flexibility and circulation.
Swiss Shower
A Swiss shower is meant to give the sensation and effect of a stimulating massage. The shower jets spray varying pressure levels of hot and cold water onto the body.

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Vichy Shower
A Vichy shower is taken while lying down on a table. Shower jets spray water from above, below, and/or all sides. The water is usually warm, and the shower is meant to help wash and cleanse after several spa treatments.

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Waxing
Hot wax is used to remove hair from the root so that the hair grows back significantly slower and softer. The wax can be removed either using strips of cloth or hard waxes can be peeled away. The wax is applied and removed against the direction of growth. Most parts of the body can be waxed.

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