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Spa Glossary By Tracie Broom Aromatherapy: The respiration or absorption of essential oils via steam or other medium. Ayurveda: India's 5,000-year-old healing system based on body type and constitution. Ayurvedic treatments rebalance with special herbs, oils, exfoliation, rubdowns, steam and heat wraps. Bathing: Anything to do with enjoying water. Showers, bathtubs, jacuzzis, saunas, steamrooms, pools. Body Polish: Full-body exfoliants like sea salt, grape seeds and rice hulls are scrubbed onto skin with loofah gloves, brushes or bare hands. Exfoliation: The process of sloughing off dead skin cells. Facial: Sometimes paired with head, neck, hand and foot massage, this face revitalizer includes cleansing, steaming, exfoliation, hydration, extraction and, usually, a mask. Alpha or beta hydroxy acids of varying strengths are used for deeper cleansing. Hydrotherapy: Special tubs allow for aromatherapy soaks, mud baths and underwater massages with computerized jets and/or manual hoses. Manicure and Pedicure: More than nail polish; usually includes extensive massage, exfoliation and hydration. Massage: Swedish massage works in long strokes, shiatsu massage goes deep, sports massage kneads it out, pregnancy massage gently relieves pressure and deep-tissue goes really deep. Waxing: Hair removal. [ San Francisco | MetroActive Central | Archives ]