Alpidic

Literally means "lack of lipids". Describes skin that does not produce enough sebum, indicated by absence of visible pores.

Ampoules

Individual doses of serum, sealed in small vials.

Aromatherapy

The theraputic use of plant aromas for beauty and health treatment.

Brushing Machine

A rotating electric appliance with interchanheable brushes that can be attached to the rotating head.

Chemical Exfoliants

Products that contain chemicals that either loosen or dissolve dead cell buildup.

Chucking

Massage movement accomplished by grasping the flesh firmly in one hand and moving the hand up and down along the bone while the other hand keeps the arm or leg in a steady position.

Clay-Based Masks

Oil-absorbing cleansing masks that have an exfoliating effect and an astringent effect on oily and combination skin, making large pores temporarily appear smaller.

Cleansing Milks

Non-foaming lotion cleansers designed to cleanse dry and sensitive skin types and to remove makeup.

Contraindication

Condition that requires avoiding certain treatments,procedures, or products to prevent undesirable side effects.

Couperose

Distended capillaries caused by weakening of the capillary walls.

Cream Masks

Masks often containing oils and emollients as well as humectants; have a strong moisturizing effect.

Effleurage

Light, continuous stroking movement applied with the fingers (digital) or the palms (palmar) in a slow, rhythmic manner.

Electrotherapy

The use of electrical currents to treat the skin.

Emollients

Oil or fatty ingredients that prevent moisture from leaving the skin.

Enzyme Peels

Also known as keratolytic enzymes or protein-dissolving agents; a type of chemical exfoliant that works by dissolving keratin protein in the surface cells of the skin.

Exfoliants

Products that help bring exfoliation.

Exfoliation

The removal of excess dead cells from the skin surface.

Foaming Cleansers

Cleansers containing surfactants (detergents) which cause the product to foam and rinse off easily.

Friction

Deep rubbing movement requiring pressure on the skin with the fingers or palm while moving them over an underlying structure.

Fulling

Form of petrissage in which the tissue is grasped, gently lifted, and spread out; used mainly for massaging the arms.

Gommages

Also known as roll-off masks; peeling creams that are rubbed off the skin.

Hacking

Chopping movement performed with the edges of the hands in massage.

Humectants

Also known as hydrators or water-binding agents; ingredients that attract water.

Masks

Also known as masques; concentrated treatment products often composed of minerals clays, moisturizing agents, skin softeners, aromatherapy oils, botanical extracts and other beneficial ingredients to cleanse, exfoliate, tighten, tone, hydrate, and nourish

Massage

Manual or mechanical manipulation of the body by rubbing, pinching, kneading, tapping, and other movements to increase metabolism and circulation, promote absorption, and relieve pain.

Massage Creams

Lubricants used to make the skin slippery during massage.

Mechanical Exfoliants

Methods used to phsically remove dead cell buildup.

Microdermabrasion

Mechanical exfoliation that involves shooting aluminum oxide or other crystals at the skin with a hand-held device the exfoliates dead cells.

Microdermabrasion Scrubs

Scrubs that contains the aluminum oxide crystals.

Modelage Masks

Facial masks containing special crystals of gypsum, a plaster-like ingredient.

Moisturizers

Products that help increase th emoisture content of the skin surface.

Motor Point

Point on the skin over the muscle where the pressure or stimulation will cause contraction of the muscle.

Open Comedones

Also known as blackheads; follicles impacted with solidified sebum and dead cell buildup.

Ostium

Follicle opening.

Paraffin Wax Masks

Specially prepared facial masks containing paraffin and other beneficial ingredents; typically used with treatment cream.

Petrissage

Kneading movement performed by lifting, squeezing, and pressing the tissue with a light, firm pressure.

Rolling

Massage movement in which the tissues are pressed and twisted using a fast back-and-forth movement.

Serums

Concentrated products that generally contian higher concentrations of ingredients designed to penetrate and treat various skin conditons.

Steamer

A facial machine that heats and produces a stream of warm steam that can be focused on the client's face or other areas of the skin.

Tapotement

Also known as percussion; movements consisting of short quick tapping, slapping, and hacking movements.

Toners

Also known as freshners or astringents; lotions that help rebalance the pH and remove remnants of cleanser from the skin.

Treatment Cream

A specialty product designed to facilitate change in the skin's appearance.

Vibration

In massage, the rapid shaking of the body part while the balls of the fingertips are pressed firmly on the point of application.

Wringing

Vigorous movement in which the hands, placed a little distance apart on both sides of the client's arem or leg and working downward, apply a twisting motion aganist the bones in the opposite direction.