Glossary of treatments & specialist cosmetic terms

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S

Scrub

Skin peeling (otherwise known as skin exfoliation) using fine-grained substances such as salts, ground fruit seeds, fine sand and others, which are often combined with a cream to ensure that you are comfortable whilst this is used on your skin. Highly effective in sloughing off the old skin cells to reveal newer, softer and younger looking skin.

Self-Tan

Application of self-tanning products applied to face and body usually following a full body exfoliation to slough off old skin to reveal the newer, fresher skin beneath - this ensures that the tanned effect lasts longer and is not patchy!

Spa

Derived from "Sanus Per Aquam" (health through water!). Used to describe the facilities offered at venues with not just swimming pool, but usually sauna, steam, Jacuzzi etc.

Spa Day

A full or half day which would normally include lunch & full use of facilities such as sauna, jacuzzi, steam room, pool etc. Packages are chosen depending on how many treatments & how much pampering you want.

SPF (Sun Protection Factor)

Is a scale used to rate the level of protection sunscreens afford from UVB rays.

Stratum Corneum

The uppermost outer layer of the epidermis.

Swedish Massage

Similar to the connective tissue massage, combining long stroking movements with circular ones. Complemented by kneading to loosen the deep muscle structure.


T

Titanium Dioxide

A chemical used primarily in sunscreen products as a physical barrier to the suns rays, used alone or with other substances.

Thai Massage

Classic Thai massage uses no oil. Stretching movements are predominant and the client remains dressed. Elements of Chinese reflexology and Ayurveda are used in the meditation part of the treatment.


U

UVA

Long wavelengths emitted by the sun penetrating deeply into the skin to cause sun damage.

UVB

Short wavelengths emitted by the sun known to cause premature ageing and skin cancers.


V

Varicose Veins

Enlarged, swollen and dilated veins below the surface of the skin most commonly the legs caused by the weakened valves within the veins, or weakened vein walls becoming engorged with blood.

Vitamin A

Can help prevent and reverse sun damage and have an exfoliating and strengthening effect on the skin.

Vitamin B

A group of vitamins that are water soluble, and are linked together in several chemical ways. They are formed either from bacteria, yeasts, fungi, or moulds. They are responsible for providing energy to the body during the conversion of glucose, from carbohydrates. They are also critically required for the metabolism of both fats and proteins, as well as the health and maintenance of the body's nervous system. If B2 is used topically, it is to afford a chemical reaction accelerator, enhancing the performance of tyrosine derivatives in suntan accelerating preparations

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

Is a water-soluble nutrient and essential for life and for maintaining optimal health. It is also known as ascorbic acid. It is used by the body for many purposes and can be used in skin preparations to slow down hyper pigmentation whilst providing some UV protection.

Vitamin D

Is a fat-soluble vitamin needed for healthy tooth and bone production

Vitamin K

Is used in blood coagulation and therefore may aid in alleviating the appearance of dark under eye circles or spider veins.


Z

Zinc Oxide

A chemical ingredient added to preparations used as sun block filtering out ultraviolet rays.

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