Spa glossary D-F
D
Day spa
Facility offering a range of spa treatments including skincare and body treatments and massage therapy. Spa treatments are performed by trained professionals. Often a relaxation room is available for clients to use before or after treatments.
Facility offering a range of spa treatments including skincare and body treatments and massage therapy. Spa treatments are performed by trained professionals. Often a relaxation room is available for clients to use before or after treatments.
Dead Sea mud treatment
Application of mineral-rich mud from the Dead Sea used to detoxify the skin and body. Also relieves the symptoms of rheumatism and arthritis.
Dental spa
A dentistry that provides both traditional and non-traditional dental and spa treatments, such as massage therapy, skincare and body treatments. Often a relaxation room is available for clients to use before or after treatments.
Dermabrasion
Procedure for smoothing skin by abrading, otherwise known as sanding, the outer layer of the skin to remove scars and the affects of sun damage.
Dental spa
A dentistry that provides both traditional and non-traditional dental and spa treatments, such as massage therapy, skincare and body treatments. Often a relaxation room is available for clients to use before or after treatments.
Dermabrasion
Procedure for smoothing skin by abrading, otherwise known as sanding, the outer layer of the skin to remove scars and the affects of sun damage.
Dermaplanting
Procedure for smoothing skin by shaving off the outer layer of skin.
Destination Spa
A spa facility offering overnight accommodation. Often this can be a resort complex with spa facilities or a health retreat offering an entire program of spa treatments performed over a couple of days. Services often include weight loss programs exercise and healing treatments, as well as skin care and body treatments and massage therapy.
Detoxification (detox)
The metabolic process where toxins are released and expelled by the body.
Doshas
Refers to the three Ayurvedic body functions, consisting of Vata (blood circulation and healing), Pitta (heat and metabolism) and Kapha (the structure of a person’s spiritual and philosophical self).
Dry brush
Procedure using a natural-bristle brush to remove dead skin and impurities while stimulating circulation. Often used prior to mud and seaweed body wraps.
Dulse scrub
Exfoliating body treatment using dulse seaweed powder, hydrated with water or essential oils.
Duo massage
Synchronous massage treatment performed by two therapists on one person.
E
Ear Candling
This ancient therapy uses a burning candle gently inserted into the ear canal to help remove a mixture of toxins, fungus, fluid and dust and any excess ear wax. A build up of these have been attribted to contributing to migraines, allergies and sinusitis and a range of other head, ear, throat and nose ailments. Procedure for smoothing skin by shaving off the outer layer of skin.
Destination Spa
A spa facility offering overnight accommodation. Often this can be a resort complex with spa facilities or a health retreat offering an entire program of spa treatments performed over a couple of days. Services often include weight loss programs exercise and healing treatments, as well as skin care and body treatments and massage therapy.
Detoxification (detox)
The metabolic process where toxins are released and expelled by the body.
Doshas
Refers to the three Ayurvedic body functions, consisting of Vata (blood circulation and healing), Pitta (heat and metabolism) and Kapha (the structure of a person’s spiritual and philosophical self).
Dry brush
Procedure using a natural-bristle brush to remove dead skin and impurities while stimulating circulation. Often used prior to mud and seaweed body wraps.
Dulse scrub
Exfoliating body treatment using dulse seaweed powder, hydrated with water or essential oils.
Duo massage
Synchronous massage treatment performed by two therapists on one person.
E
Ear Candling
Eco spas
Spas set in a natural or protected area and have a commitment to environmentally-friendly practices such as organic gardening, water conservation and sustainable building design. Will also encourage sensitivity to the natural environment and wildlife through education of visitors and may also promote the well-being of local people and culture by preserving indigenous healing traditions and ingredients.
Effleurage
Quick, long massage strokes used in the beginning and end of a treatment.
Electrolysis
A method of permanent hair removal that involves the use of electricity or radio wave energy to damage hair follicles.
Epilation
To remove hair by the root.
Endermologie
A French massage technique used to improve skin quality and define the figure by reducing the appearance of cellulite. Regular treatments are necessary.
Essential oils
An aromatic liquid substance extracted from flowers, fruits, leaves, roots and trees used for cosmetic or therapeutic treatment, such as aromatherapy.
Esthetician
A skin care professional specialising in both health and beauty skin treatments.
European facial
A deep cleansing skin treatment that includes steam, exfoliation, and massaging of the face, neck, shoulders and chest to refine the skin followed by a hydrating mask. May include the removal of white and black heads often through ‘manual squeezing’.
Exfoliation
The process of removing dead skin cells, while also improving circulation and increasing relaxation.
Eyebrow threading
Ancient method of hair removal developed in the Middle East and Asia that uses a cotton thread to pull out unwanted hair at the root.
F
Facial
A treatment of the face that often includes massage, cleansing, toning, steaming, exfoliating and moisturising.
Facial rejuvenation
Uses gentle reflexology massage to relax the facial muscles and freshen the skin’s appearance. May temporarily reduce tension-induced wrinkles.
Fango mud
Mineral-rich Italian grey mud used to detoxify and re-mineralise.
Fango therapy
Treatment using different types of mineral-rich mud to exfoliate the skin and remove toxins from the body through the pores.
Feldenkrais
A therapy consisting of intensive verbal and touch-therapy workshops designed to reorganise the body’s fundamental movements and relationship with the central nervous system. Certified practitioners must complete 800-1000 hours of training over a three to four year period.
Finish sauna
A dry heat chamber designed to open the pores to release toxins when water is poured over hot rocks, combined with aromatherapy (normally pine) and a cold treatment, such as rolling in the snow, to close pores and increase circulation. Not recommended for people with high blood pressure or heart conditions.
Flotation tank
A relaxation and stress reduction treatment using a tank filled with salt water so a person can float effortlessly. Light and music therapies are often used to enhance the process.
Fulling
A massage movement where a person’s limbs are rolled back and forth between the therapist’s hands.
Spas set in a natural or protected area and have a commitment to environmentally-friendly practices such as organic gardening, water conservation and sustainable building design. Will also encourage sensitivity to the natural environment and wildlife through education of visitors and may also promote the well-being of local people and culture by preserving indigenous healing traditions and ingredients.
Effleurage
Quick, long massage strokes used in the beginning and end of a treatment.
Electrolysis
A method of permanent hair removal that involves the use of electricity or radio wave energy to damage hair follicles.
Epilation
To remove hair by the root.
Endermologie
A French massage technique used to improve skin quality and define the figure by reducing the appearance of cellulite. Regular treatments are necessary.
Essential oils
An aromatic liquid substance extracted from flowers, fruits, leaves, roots and trees used for cosmetic or therapeutic treatment, such as aromatherapy.
Esthetician
A skin care professional specialising in both health and beauty skin treatments.
European facial
A deep cleansing skin treatment that includes steam, exfoliation, and massaging of the face, neck, shoulders and chest to refine the skin followed by a hydrating mask. May include the removal of white and black heads often through ‘manual squeezing’.
Exfoliation
The process of removing dead skin cells, while also improving circulation and increasing relaxation.
Eyebrow threading
Ancient method of hair removal developed in the Middle East and Asia that uses a cotton thread to pull out unwanted hair at the root.
F
Facial
A treatment of the face that often includes massage, cleansing, toning, steaming, exfoliating and moisturising.
Facial rejuvenation
Uses gentle reflexology massage to relax the facial muscles and freshen the skin’s appearance. May temporarily reduce tension-induced wrinkles.
Fango mud
Mineral-rich Italian grey mud used to detoxify and re-mineralise.
Fango therapy
Treatment using different types of mineral-rich mud to exfoliate the skin and remove toxins from the body through the pores.
Feldenkrais
A therapy consisting of intensive verbal and touch-therapy workshops designed to reorganise the body’s fundamental movements and relationship with the central nervous system. Certified practitioners must complete 800-1000 hours of training over a three to four year period.
Finish sauna
A dry heat chamber designed to open the pores to release toxins when water is poured over hot rocks, combined with aromatherapy (normally pine) and a cold treatment, such as rolling in the snow, to close pores and increase circulation. Not recommended for people with high blood pressure or heart conditions.
Flotation tank
A relaxation and stress reduction treatment using a tank filled with salt water so a person can float effortlessly. Light and music therapies are often used to enhance the process.
Fulling
A massage movement where a person’s limbs are rolled back and forth between the therapist’s hands.