Spa Glossary – D & E
We’re continuing with our Spa Glossary and this week we are covering letters B & C. If you have any spa terms you’d like some help defining, please be sure to leave a comment below.
D
Deep Tissue Massage: A type of massage in which deeper layers of muscle and fascia are worked in an attempt to free congestion of the muscle attachments. Deep work brings about realignment of postural distortions and restores proper range of motion. Liberation of emotional tensions may also result. Muscle function and awareness are balanced and elasticity is revived.
Detoxification: A process that speeds up or facilitates the elimination of toxins from the body and increases circulation. Often heat, water and herbs are used.
Diaphoretic: A substance that induces perspiration. Often used in detoxifying body treatments.
Diuretic: A substance that increases the release and elimination of toxins, generally through urination.
Draping: The use of sheets or towels to properly cover one during a spa treatment, assuring for comfort and trust.
E
Ear Candling: A natural remedy for thought to help with wax build-up, swimmer’s ear, itching ears, and allergies. Hollow tapers made of beeswax coated muslin are placed gently into the opening of the ear, while. The mild vacuum created by the ear candle draws out moisture and excess wax.
Effleurage: Massage term used to describe long, flowing and rhythmic massage strokes intended to calm the nervous system and bring about relaxation of the body and mind.
Energy Balancing: A technique that involves clearing and charging of the seven major chakras and auric levels. A powerful current of healing energy comes through the therapist’s hands,helping to bring balance and deep relaxation.
Enzyme Peels: Involve the use of keratolytic enzymes from pumpkin, pineapple, or papaya.These digestive enzymes help speed up the breakdown of keratin, the protein in the skin. The enzymes eat away only at dead skin cells and do not have an impact on live, healthy skin cells. Because of this, enzyme peels are generally a more gentle and comfortable type of exfoliation as compared to acid or chemical exfoliation.
Essential Oils: Natural substances extracted from grasses, flowers, herbs, shrubs, trees, resins and spices, usually through a process called steam distillation. These concentrated, powerful oils are usually mixed in a base of unscented natural oil, (such as grapeseed or sunflower oil). Essential oils can impact the various bodily systems, can boost immunity and are thought to influence emotional and mental states. Most essential oils have powerful antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.
European Facial: A skin care treatment which includes deep cleansing, steam, exfoliation and professional massage of the face, shoulders and chest.
Exfoliating Facial Treatment: Peels away dry skin cells and removes deeply-trapped secretions that impede oxygenation.
Exfoliation: A treatment whose primary purpose is to scour dead skin cells from the body; from the Latin word exfoliate, which means ‘to remove leaves’.
Extractions: The manual cleaning of sebum, debris, and dead cells from the pores.
Eye Cream: A specialized moisturizer or treatment that is used under and around the eyes to combat dark circles, puffiness or as a deterrent to signs of aging.
