Words to Know | |
A useful and continually updated glossary of spa terms. | |
| You can always search for entries (regexp permitted). | |
|
Submit Term | |
All | | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y
| |
| P | |
| There are 35 entries in the glossary. | |
| Pages: 1 | |
| Term | Definition |
| P. Acnes | Bacteria associated with the sebaceous follicle |
| Papules | A small, solid, usually inflammatory elevation of the skin that does not contain pus |
| Parakeratosis | Abnormal formation of horny cells in epidermis |
| Pathophysiology | the study of the disturbance of normal mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions, either caused by a disease, or resulting from a disease or abnormal syndrome or condition that may not qualify to be called a disease; the study of the biological and physical manifestations of disease as they correlate with the underlying abnormalities and physiological disturbances |
| PDT (Photodynamic Therapy) | This treatment modality involves administration of a photosensitizing compound to targeted cells, followed by selective irradiation of the treatment area with non-thermal (usually visible) light. The combination of two non-toxic elements, a drug substance and a light source; the light converts naturally occurring tissue oxygen to short-lived, highly toxic singlet oxygen or superoxide with a life of only about 1 microsecond. Used for treating certain cancers and acne. |
| Peptides | A chemical compound that is composed of a chain of two or more amino acids and is usually smaller than a protein. It then acts to promote the production and or release of the target chemical in question |
| Perionychium | The skin that overlies the nail plate on its sides. It is also known as the paronychial edge. The perionychium is the site of hangnails, ingrown nails, and an infection of the skin called paronychia |
| Permeability | The rate of flow of a liquid or gas through a porous material |
| Perseverance | steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success |
| pH | A measurement of the degree of acidity or alkalinity of a solution of a scale of 1-14 with anything below 7 being acidic and anything over 7 being alkaline |
| Photo-aging | includes sun damage, fine lines, and discoloration |
| Photoacceptors | Part of a cell structure than can induce or regulate a metabolic reaction. In order to initiate a cellular response to light, exact molecular keys are needed to unlock specific photo-biological processes within the cell; photoacceptors are selective in their ability to absorb a specific narrow band wavelength to produce cell changes. |
| Photobiomodulation | biological stimulation produced by certain wavelengths of light at specific intensities and for a specified time period by LED, laser or monochromatic light sources, to aid in tissue regeneration, reduces inflammation, or relieves pain. Cell changes include increased cell permeability, up-regulation and down-regulation of ATP (cell energizer), and does not involve heat, which can damage surrounding cells. |
| Photochemical | of, relating to, or resulting from the chemical action of radiant energy and especially light |
| Photorejuvenation | A growing technology that utilizes light to enhance our skin |
| Photosensitizing agents | Drugs that are pharmacologically inactive but when exposed to ultraviolet radiation or sunlight are converted to their active metabolite to produce a beneficial reaction affecting the diseased tissue. These compounds can be administered topically or systemically and have been used therapeutically to treat psoriasis and various types of neoplasms. |
| Phototherapy | a term which includes all types of treatment which use light to induce reactions or changes in the body to benefit a patient; includes the simpler forms of light used to treat jaundiced newborns, or SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) as well as more specialized light sources such as LED and Lasers. |
| Physiotherapy | also referred to as physical therapy, involves evaluating, diagnosing, and treating a range of diseases, disorders, and disabilities using physical means |
| Pilo-Sebaceous Unit | The unit comprised of the follicle, the hair and the sebaceous gland |
| Pituitary gland | The gland at the base of the brain that secretes hormones and regulates and controls other hormone secreting glands and many bodily processes including reproduction |
| Polarization | 1. The production or condition of polarity, as: a) a process or state in which rays of light exhibit different properties in different directions, especially the state in which all the vibration takes place in one plane; or b) the partial or complete polar separation of positive and negative electric charge in a nuclear, atomic, molecular, or chemical system; 2. A concentration, as of groups, forces, or interests, about two conflicting or contrasting positions. |
| Polymer | a substance that has a molecular structure consisting chiefly or entirely of a large number of similar units bonded together, e.g., many synthetic organic materials used as plastics and resins |
| Polypeptide | A molecule consisting of many joined amino acids; not as a complex protein |
| Polyphenols | an antioxidant photochemical that tends to prevent or neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals |
| Polysaccharide | A sugar; a carbohydrate composed of many monosaccharide units, for example, glycogen, starch and cellulose. |
| Potable | suitable for drinking because clean and uncontaminated; a liquid that is suitable for drinking, especially an alcoholic drink |
| Pre-cleanser | An oil-based product intended to melt cell debris, industrial pollutants, and make-up allowing cleansers to work more effectively. |
| prescription | written instructions on the products used or recommended during a treatment. |
| Propionibacterium Acnes | Bacteria that causes acne lesions. |
| Pseodofollicullitis barbae | (razor bumps) is a common condition, which is a result of highly curved hairs growing back into the skin causing inflammation and a foreign body reaction. |
| Pulverize | To reduce to a powder or dust as by crushing. |
| Punch biopsy | A biopsy that uses a cookie cutter type of tool to remove a sample of the skin. |
| Pus | A fluid product of inflammation, consisting of a liquid containing white blood cells, dead cell debris and tissue elements. |
| Pustule | A pus filled lesion raised above the surface of the skin. |
| PVP | A white, amorphous, water-soluble powder, (C6H9NO), used chiefly as a vehicle in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals. In solution, it has excellent wetting properties and readily forms films. |
All | | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y
| |
| Glossary | |