Rose Oil Spa Treatments

For Soothing Irritated Skin and Relaxing the Senses

Nov 3, 2009 Elaine Moore

Essential oils derived from flowers are luxurious ingredients found in many spa therapies because of their hidden healing properties.

Because of its many health and beauty benefits, rose oil is a key ingredient in signature spa treatments. Rose oil is often used in massage therapy, aromatherapy, reflexology treatments, hydrotherapy, facials, body wraps, and hair/scalp therapies. Rose oil is also found in some of the world’s most renowned perfumes and in numerous home spa products.

Producing Rose Oil

Rose oil refers to any type of rose oil, including rose otto (rose attar), an oil made by steam distillation of rose petals, and rose absolute, a type of rose oil produced by chemical (via solvents or carbon dioxide) extraction of the oil from rose petals. Slight deviations to these manufacturing processes, the dilution of the final product, or the type of roses used can also yield organic rose oil, rose geranium oil, musk rose oil, tea rose oil and others.

The damask rose, indigenous to Bulgaria, Turkey, India, Russia, Iran and China, is primarily used to produce rose oil. Cabbage rose, which hails from France, Egypt, and Morocco, is also used as a source or rose oil. Occasionally, other varieties of roses are used. Once the rose oil is extracted from the petals, the remaining water-soluble portion of the liquid is known as rosewater, which also has a variety of cosmetic uses, including its use as an antiseptic agent.

It takes many rose petals to make an ounce of rose oil. It’s suspected that the rose was the first flower from which rose oil and rosewater were distilled. The first documented mention of rose oil is from 10th century Persia.

Using Rose Oil

Rose oil is typically diluted with a carrier oil, such as almond oil and used externally, using 8 drops of rose oil to 10 drops of carrier oil. Diluted In this manner, rose oil can be applied directly to the skin. In aromatherapy, rose oil may be diffused through the air.

Benefits of Rose Oil

Traditionally, rose oil has been used for its effects on the skin. Safe for all skin types, rose oil, which is rich in both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, is particularly beneficial for dry, rough, chapped, sensitive, burned, or aging skins. Because of it’s safety it’s often used in prenatal massages, such as the 50-minute Rose Oil Prenatal Massage at the Spa Hilton in San Marcos.

Rich in the antioxidants vitamin A and vitamin C, rose oil has a tonic and astringent effect on the capillaries that lie just below the skin surface. Consequently, rose oil reduces the redness and ruddiness caused by enlarged capillaries, irritations and burns, or inflammatory skin conditions. such as rosacea.

The scent of rose is relaxing to the nervous system and is known to reduce emotional and psychological stress as well as depression. Rose oil is often used in spa therapies designed to reduce stress and tension and in conditions such as gastrointestinal ulcer, and cardiovascular disease.

Signature Therapies

At the pet-friendly Barnsley Resort in Adairsville, Georgia 70 miles from Atlanta, guests can choose from several different signature rose oil treatments including the 80-minute Lady Barnsley Custom Facial, the rose petal and herb hydrating facial, and the Barnsley Rose Body Treatment.

At the K Club Day Spa and Destination Spa in Ireland, guests in the Ash Suite can partake in a 3-hour long Essence of Rose ritual, including a Jacuzzi hydrotherapy treatment, eye revitalizing treatment, facial, and steam room.

At Spa Gregorie’s in Newport Beach, California guests can receive a signature massage that uses a Signature Heart-Warming Massage Oil consisting of rose oil, bergamot oil, and ginger.

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Pink Rose Peace Offering, Photogirl17 at flickr.com Pink Rose Peace Offering