C

• Caldarium - the hottest steam room in a Roman Baths

• Camouflage makeup - cosmetic designed to cover any kind of visual skin problem.

• Capacitor (condenser) - a device that stores an electrical charge

• Capillary - a microscopic blood vessel located between an arteriole and venule, exchanging material between blood and body cells

• Cardio - prefix for words pertaining to the heart

• Cardiovascular system - consists of the heart, lungs, blood vessels and blood

• Cash flow forecast - prediction of all expected business expenses and receipts over a given period

• Catagen - the transitional stage in the development of a hair follicle

• Cataphoresis - usually applied after an epilation treatment by galvanic electrolysis to soothe and reduce redness on the skin

• Cation - an ion with a positive charge, moves towards the negative electrode in electrolysis

• Caustic - an agent that destroys tissue

• Cauterise - destroy tissue by direct application oh heat

• Cell - the basic unit of all living things

• Cellulite - fatty tissue causing a dimpled or uneven appearance in the skin of certain parts of the body

• Central nervous system - the brain and the spinal cord

• Chakra - one of the seven centres of spiritual energy in the human body according to yoga philosophy

• Chi - Chinese term for energy

• Chloasma - brown areas of pigmented skin

• Circulatory system - also called the cardio vascular system it circulates blood throughout the body

• Clavicle - collar bone

• Clients - customers or patrons of a salon or spa

• Coagulate - when a liquid changes to a soft jelly like mass

• Coccyx - the four fused bones at the base of the spine

• Code of practice - a set of rules or regulations that an organisation or professional association adheres to

• Cold therapy - spa treatments using temperatures lower than normal body temperature

• Collagen - fibrous protein found in skin, bone, cartilage tendon and teeth serving as connective tissue between cells

• Colour therapy - use of colour to bring about balance

• Comedo - a plug of sebum and keratin blocking a hair follicle, the common name is blackhaed

• Communication - the exchange of thoughts, messages or information through speech, behaviour, writing or signals

• Complementary therapy - health care system to complement orthodox medical treatments that is not traditionally used by conventional Western medical practitioners. It is also known as alternative therapy

• Compressor - equipment used to increase the pressure of air which is then regulated to apply false tan, makeup or enamel

• Conductor - something which allows electricity or heat to flow along it

• Congested skin - looks and appears bumpy, it is caused by dirt and sebum trapped beneath the surface of the skin

• Connective tissue - tissue that supports, binds, or separates other tissues and organs, it consists of a ground substance, collagen and elastin fibres and cells

• Consultation - a discussion between two people to discuss the requirements and objectives of treatment

• Consumer - a person that acquires goods or services for direct use or ownership

• Contra - action - an adverse effect on the skin or body during or after treatment

• Contra - indication - any reason to prevent or adapt treatment or refer to a qualified person for permission to treat

• Cortex - the outer layer of an organ or the outer section of the hair

• Cortisol - mineralocorticoid produced in the adrenal glands

• COSHH - Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

• Cosmetic surgery - improve or enhance the face and body by means of a surgical operation

• Cranial nerves - twelve pairs of nerves arising from the brain to all parts of the face

• Cranium - the portion of the skull that encloses the brain

• Cross infection - transfer of infection from one to another.

• Cupping - a Chinese treatment where small glass cups are attatched to the skin by a vacuum that is created by placing a lighted match inside each cup to burn up the oxygen. The suction increases the circulation of blood. The term also refers to a percussion massage movement

• Current assets - short term assets which are expected to be converted into cash

• Cushing's syndrome - condition of the endocrine system caused by a hypersecretion of glucocorticoids

• Cutaneous - pertaining to the skin

• Cuticle - outer layer of cells in the hair or epidermal tissue above the matrix of the nail at the base of the nail plate