Words to Know | |
A useful and continually updated glossary of spa terms. | |
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| There are 53 entries in the glossary. | |
| Pages: 1 | |
| Term | Definition |
| Ablative | removal, separation |
| Abrasive | A substance used that is harsh and rough in manner. |
| Acanthosis | Thickening of the prickle cell layer or stratum granulosum. |
| Accentuate | make more noticeable or prominent |
| Acid Mantle | The natural acidity of the skin or hair, which helps to retard bacterial growth. |
| Acidophilus | a bacterium with slender rod-shaped cells, usually in chains, that thrive in acidic conditions and is beneficial to the intestinal tract |
| Acne Vulgaris | A chronic inflammatory skin disorder of the sebaceous glands characterized by comedones and blemishes. |
| Acnegenic | When products produce quick breakouts in a matter of days. |
| Actinic keratosis | a precancerous skin growth usually caused by sun exposure |
| Active ingredient | The active ingredients list is the part of an ingredient label that must adhere to specific regulations mandated by the FDA. Active ingredients must be listed first on an ingredient label. |
| Acupuncture | A procedure used in or adapted from Chinese medical practice in which specific body areas are pierced with fine needles for therapeutic purposes or to relieve pain or produce regional anesthesia. |
| Additive | A substance added to another product |
| Adipocytes | animal connective tissue cell specialized for the synthesis and storage of fat |
| Adrenal gland | An endocrine gland situated on the top of the kidney. |
| Aesthetician | or esthetician, specializes in the study of skin care, including facial treatments, body wraps, salt glows, waxing as a form of hair removal, and cosmetic make-up services; some aestheticians work with dermatologists to offer more services, including laser hair removal, laser skin resurfacing, and many types of chemical peels |
| Agave | any of numerous plants of the genus Agave, native to hot, dry regions of the New World and having basal rosettes of tough, sword-shaped, often spiny-margined leaves; agaves are grown for ornament, fiber, and food; also called century plant |
| Albino | A subject of albinism. A person with no pigment in the skin hair and eyes |
| Alkali | An electropositive substance; capable of making soaps from fats; used to neutralize acids |
| Alkaline | Having a pH greater than 7 |
| Alopecia | A disease where there is a deficiency of hair; baldness |
| Alveoli | Structures in the lungs that exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide gases during respiration |
| Amino acid | An important constituent of protein |
| Aminomethyl propanediol | Used to adjust pH in cosmetics |
| Amonium laureth/ sulfate | Can be derived from coconut; used primarily as a detergent |
| Anabolism | Constructive metabolism; the process of assimilation of living matter and it’s conversion into living substances |
| Anagen phase | The early phase of the hair cycle in which the synthesis of hair takes place |
| Anagen stage | the critical and optimum stage to extract hair because it is the only stage that will provide permanent results of any sort |
| Anaphoresi | The process of forcing liquids into the tissues from the negative toward the positive pole and reproduction of the body |
| Androgen | Any one of the many hormones that that control the development of the masculine characteristics; the hormone responsible for hair growth when it is abnormal |
| Angioma | A tumor formed of blood vessels and lymphatics |
| Aniline | A product of coal tar used in the manufacturing of artificial dyes |
| Anode | The positive terminal of an electric force |
| Anti-perspirant | A strong astringent, liquid or cream used to stop the flow of perspiration in the underarm region of the body |
| Antibiotic | A substance produced by microorganisms that destroy or inhibit other competitive organisms |
| Antigens | A substance that when introduced into the body stimulates the production of an antibody. Antigens include toxins, bacteria, foreign blood cells, and the cells of transplanted organs |
| Antioxidant | Biochemical’s that inhibit the action of free radicals by donating an electron |
| Antioxidants | A substance, such as vitamin E, vitamin C, or beta carotene,thought to protect body cells from the damaging effects of oxidation |
| Antiseptic | A chemical agent that prevents the growth of bacteria |
| Apoptosis | Disintegration of cells into membrane-bound particles that are then eliminated by phagocytosis or by shedding. (MCDANIEL) |
| Aqueous | Pertaining to water; watery |
| Arachidonic acid | polyunsaturated fatty acid with twenty carbons and four cis double bonds, the first at the omega-6 position |
| Arbutin | A natural skin lightening agent composed of glucose and hydroquinone; a derivative of bearberry extract |
| Asana | A pose in yoga |
| Ascorbic acid | vitamin C, an essential nutrient found mainly in fruits and vegetables; the body requires it to form and maintain bones, blood vessels, and skin; an organic compound |
| Aseptic | Free from pathogenic bacteria |
| Asphyxiation | To smother or suffocate |
| Assets | A valuable item that is owned such as cash, stock, inventories, property rights, and goodwill. |
| Astringent | A substance that dries or tightens the surface in on which it is applied |
| Atom | The smallest quantity that can exist and still retain the chemical properties of the element |
| Atomize | To reduce or minimize to a fine spray |
| Avobenzone | an oil soluble ingredient used in sunscreen products to absorb both UVA and UVB rays. Its ability to absorb ultraviolet light over a wider range of wavelengths than many organic sunscreen agents has led to its use in many commercial preparations marketed as “broad spectrum” sunscreens |
| Axilla | Hair found in the armpit. |
| Ayurveda | Philosophy of balancing life and the body through various methods ranging from massage to eating habits. |
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