Reference
Plain-English definitions of the terms used throughout 33 Esthetics — what they mean, how they work, and what to expect. Written by Cait Donahue, licensed esthetician.
The color-developing ingredient in every modern spray tan. DHA is a colorless sugar derivative that reacts with amino acids in the top layer of skin (the stratum corneum) to produce a temporary brown color. The chemistry is the Maillard reaction — the same browning that happens when food is cooked.
DHA is FDA-approved as a color additive for external application and is the only legal active ingredient in sunless tanners in the United States.
The outermost layer of skin, made up of dead skin cells that the body naturally sheds and replaces every 7 to 10 days. Spray tan color develops in this layer — which is why a spray tan fades on the same timeline as your skin's natural exfoliation cycle.
A spray tan applied by hand using an airbrush gun, by a trained technician (usually a licensed esthetician). The technician adjusts shade, application angle, and concentration based on the client's skin tone, body shape, and desired result. Distinguishes from automated booth tans, which use a fixed-spray machine.
A spray tan applied by an automated machine inside an enclosed booth. The client stands in fixed positions while the machine sprays a pre-set formula at fixed angles. Booth tans are faster and cheaper than airbrush tans (typically $25 to $35) but offer no shade customization, no skin prep checks, and can result in patchy or uneven application.
A modern spray tan solution that allows the client to rinse 2 to 8 hours after application instead of the traditional 8 to 24 hours. The depth of color is determined by how long the client waits before rinsing — shorter wait produces a lighter result, longer wait produces a deeper one.
A dedicated, in-studio treatment focused on the health of the skin on the scalp. A scalp ritual typically includes exfoliation, scalp massage, and application of nourishing oils or serums. Distinguished from a quick add-on scalp massage at a hair salon by its longer duration (30 to 60 minutes) and its focus on scalp skin health rather than hair.
33 Esthetics' 30-minute focused scalp ritual. Includes scalp exfoliation, hydrating oil treatment, and rhythmic scalp massage. Designed as a starting point for first-time clients. Priced at $55.
33 Esthetics' 60-minute extended scalp ritual. Includes everything in The Reset plus deeper massage work, longer treatment time, and more time for the nervous system to fully respond. Priced at $95.
A professional skin treatment for the back — the same kind of care a face facial provides, applied to an area most people never address. A back facial typically includes a double cleanse, exfoliation, a clay or enzyme mask, and a back massage with skin-friendly oils. Sessions usually run 45 to 60 minutes.
33 Esthetics' 60-minute back facial. Includes a double cleanse, light exfoliation, a nourishing mask, a relaxing back massage with skin-friendly oils, and a scalp massage while the mask sets. Priced at $115.
A skincare professional licensed by a state regulatory body. In Florida, esthetician licensure requires 260 hours of accredited training in skin science, sanitation, anatomy, and clinical application, plus passing a state board examination.
Estheticians work on the skin — performing services like facials, body treatments, hair removal, chemical exfoliation, and spray tanning. They are not medical providers and do not diagnose or treat medical conditions.
A two-step cleansing process used in professional skincare. The first cleanse — usually with an oil-based or balm cleanser — breaks down sebum, sunscreen, makeup, and surface buildup. The second cleanse — typically a water-based cleanser — addresses sweat and water-soluble debris. The combination removes more thoroughly than either step alone.
A textured glove or mitt used in the shower to remove dead skin cells from the body. Used the day before a spray tan, an exfoliating mitt prepares the skin for even color development. Used after a spray tan has set, it gradually removes color when the client is ready to fade or refresh.
A wellness practitioner certified through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) — a year-long program covering 100+ dietary theories, behavioral coaching, the relationship between stress and the body, and integrative approaches to health that include nutrition, lifestyle, sleep, relationships, and spirituality.
Health coaches are not medical providers — they support clients in lifestyle change rather than treating disease.
The relationship between mental and emotional state and physical health outcomes. In integrative wellness frameworks, stress, sleep, and emotional state are understood to influence the immune system, skin condition, hormonal balance, and where the body holds tension. Treatments like scalp rituals work with this connection by combining physical touch with nervous-system relaxation.
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