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C is for...

Caldarium

Cathiodermie

Cellulite

Chakra

Champissage

Chemical peel

Cleansing

Collagen

Colonic irrigation

Colour analysis

Comedo

Consultation form

Cosmeceutics

Cross-fibre massage

Cryotherapy

Crystal therapy

Cupping

Caldarium

A warm room into which steam is piped, similar to an aroma room.

Good for: Depends on the aroma of course, but generally relaxing and calming.

See also: Aroma room; Aromatherapy; Laconium

Cathiodermie

This is a skin treatment that uses a very low electrical current to help boost circulation and cleanse your pores deep down. It sounds scary but in the event it's not, and is very effective.

Good for: Deep cleansing, by delivering oxygen deep into the pores.

See also: Acupressure; Lymphatic drainage; Ionithermie

Cellulite

Contrary to what many people think, cellulite is not a substance, but simply a condition. Sometimes known as orange-peel skin, it tends to occur around the thighs and abdominal region, mostly in women, and results in a flabby, dimpled look to the skin. There are various products and treatments that claim to reduce the appearance of cellulite, including various lotions, lymphatic drainage, massage, ionithermie and liposuction.

Chakra

A Sanskrit word that refers to an energy path through our bodies. Many forms of massage and holistic health approaches are based on these body ley lines. By pressuring key points along our chakras, it is believed that our tension can be unlocked and released, soothing and bringing relief emotionally and physically.

See also: Acupressure; Massage; Indian head massage

Champissage

Also known as Indian head massage and Shiroabhyanga, this is a therapeutic treatment that has been practised in India for thousands of years, and is incredibly relaxing. Part of the Hindu health care practice of Ayurveda, Indian head massage combines Chakra-cleansing massage with the aromatic power of essential oils and focuses on your head, neck and shoulders. It is a deep massage, which uses a variety of pressure and techniques that tap into your seven chakras (meridians/paths of energy) and encourage healing and balance in your whole body. Happily, it has become a popular component of combined treatments or rituals, including massage and facials.

Good for: Deep, dazing relaxation – the kind that leaves you feeling detached and serene, sighing and wordless; relieving aches, pains and tension in your neck, back and shoulders; improving the texture of your hair and encouraging it to grow; stimulating the flow of blood, lymph and oxygen in your upper body which will clear your sinuses, relieve stress and help you sleep better. And because it can help relieve headaches, eye strain and anxiety, an Indian head massage can even help you to concentrate better at work.

What's more, the use of fragrant oils can stimulate as well as relax you, clearing your head, and soothing you even further. All in all, an Indian head massage will leave you feeling happier and more relaxed all round!

See also: Ayurveda; Cranio-sacral therapy; Shirodhara

Chemical peel

As its name suggests, chemical peeling (also known as glycolic peeling) involves removing the dead outer layers of facial skin with a mild acidic agent. Your skin should appear fresher, with reduction or elimination of any rough patches, and the treatment is also said to reduce fine wrinkling.

Peeling as a beauty treatment can lay claim to a long history, going back to the civilisations of ancient Egypt and Rome. Cleopatra herself may well have owed her legendary looks to the application of simple fruit acids. These days, glycolic, trichloroacetic or pyruvic acid are likely to be the main ingredients in a chemical peel.

Cleansing

One of the main aims of all facial and body treatments is to leave the skin thoroughly cleaned of impurities, such as blackheads, pimples and dead skin cells. There are many different techniques to achieve deep cleansing of the skin, including creams, aromatherapy oils, wraps, extraction, saunas and brushing. And of course soap.

Collagen

This protein makes up about a quarter of all the protein in your body. It is the main support of skin, tendon, bone, cartilage and connective tissue. It is used in creams and can also be injected to plump out your skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines, and enhancing your lips and cheekbones.

Good for: Ironing out fine lines and wrinkles and making you look brighter and younger.

See also: Botox; Facial filler; Anti-ageing

Colonic irrigation

Otherwise known as an enema, in colonic irrigation, a tube is inserted up your bottom and water is pumped gradually through your colon. As the tube comes back out, it brings all the horrible sludge that you've been storing out with it.

Good for: A really meaningful detox as it genuinely and literally flushes out your system; temporary weight loss.

See also: I want to Detox; Glossary; Wrap

Colour analysis

This is usually part of a beauty and style consultation or "makeover". A therapist analyses your natural colouring and works out with you what colours of make-up, hair and clothes will suit you best. Colours are very important to how you look, how you feel yourself, and how you express yourself to others. The trick is making sure that you wear the colours that suit and flatter you, in patterns that do the same.

Good for: Enhancing your body image, and making sure the other beauty treatments you have are shown to their best effect.

See also: Beauty Treatments; Facial; Makeover

Comedo

A widened hair follicle that has become filled with skin debris, oil and bacteria. If the oil breaks to the surface, this is known as a closed comedo, or whitehead. If the oil becomes oxidized, it changes from white to black and is know as a closed comedo, or blackhead.

See also: Cleansing; Extraction; Salicylic acid

Consultation form

If it's your first visit to a spa, you will usually be asked to fill in a consultation form before you undergo any treatment. This is your chance to tell the therapists of any medical conditions they may need to know about, any medications you may be on, or even any dietary restrictions if you're going to get fed. The form will also ask you what specific problems you would like addressing, and what you hope to have achieved by your visit.

See also: Beauty Treatments; Facial; Makeover

Cosmeceutics

As their name suggests, cosmeceutic products are a halfway house between cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. They are creams and lotions that theoretically have a more rigorous scientific basis than the earlier generation of anti-ageing products. Containing high concentrations of active plant extracts, cosmeceutics supposedly have readily noticeable short-term benefits. Ingredients might include fruit acids, antioxidants and vitamins.

The term cosmeceutics was coined by an American dermatologist, Albert Kligman.

See also: Beauty Treatments; Facial; Colour Analysis

Cross-fibre massage

This is a specialist massage technique that is a feature of deep tissue and sports massage. The therapist applies pressure across the muscle at right angles to the fibres instead of rubbing along it.

Good for: Improving circulation, stimulating lymph and blood flow to the muscles; unlocking pain and tension in the muscles; stimulating healing; loosening and smoothing away knots and lumps in the muscle.

See also: Deep tissue massage; Sports massage; Thai massage;

Cryotherapy

In medical circles, cryotherapy means treating skin lesions with freezing liquid nitrogen. This is not to be confused with what the spa world knows as cryotherapy, which involves subjecting the whole body to extremes of low temperature for short periods.

A session in a cryotherapy chamber is usually two minutes of exposure to temperatures typically around -120C, significantly colder than the coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth. Wearing protective clothing on the extremities, and over the eyes and mouth, but otherwise exposed, you endure the sub-Antarctic conditions for a couple of minutes, before being rewarmed in a thermal pool and encouraged to do light gym exercises to stimulate blood flow.

Good for: Cryotherapy is reputed to be good for joint conditions such as osteoporosis, and skin complaints like eczema and psoriasis. Users report that, while these conditions don't disappear, they are significantly improved.

See also: Rolfing; Traegar body work; Ice therapy

Crystal therapy

This healing practice uses quartz crystals and other stones, and dates back to ancient civilisations such as the Incas and Mayans. The stones are placed strategically on different points on your body, and are intended to stimulate vibrations and release energy blockages, working in a way similar to the principles of reflexology and acupuncture.

Good for: Releasing tension; facilitating healing.

See also: Acupressure; Reflexology; Hot stone therapy

Cupping

Nobly exhibited by Gwyneth Paltrow in a backless dress, this traditional Chinese medical practice temporarily leaves raised, red, cup-shaped "weals" on your skin. A heated cup is placed on your body and a vacuum is created which sucks up your skin. The immediate effects look a bit alarming (see Gwyneth) but it is a relaxing treatment.

Good for: The suction drains excess fluids and toxins from the muscle tissue, and stimulates the nervous system, and brings blood flow to your muscles and skin.

See also: Sports massage; Thai massage; Deep tissue massage

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