Facial Treatments and the Therapeutic Benefits

Taking Care of the Largest Organ of the Body: Skin

Without doubt, from the time we first looked in a mirror, we have agonized over the condition of our skin, more specifically, our facial skin. We find an imperfection, a blemish, a full blown breakout, freckles, a mole, and then that first wrinkle. We don’t glow or have that dewy freshness we have been told is desirable. We procure products blindly, knowing very little about the uniqueness of our individual skin, how it reacts to external and internal stimuli, how the products specifically affect the desired outcome or even how and when to apply the promised cure for maximum results.

Stop for a moment and ponder facial skin. It is always “out there” presenting, protecting, reacting, adjusting and leading our individual interactions with our world. What other part of the body has to be uncovered continuously; no face gloves, facial socks, facial hats, shirts, pants or shoes. Facial skin adjusts to light and dark, moisture and aridness, temperatures of zero to 120 degrees, pollution, dust, microbes, hormones, chemical body changes and then has to figure out what to do with the new products we use that promise to perfect the damage to achieve an ideal complexion. Our facial skin has been trained differently, somewhat like a soldier for the body, coping, adjusting and showing the affects of encounters with both internal and external life.

Just a small amount of advice, coaching and basic attention from an experienced Licensed Esthetician can help prevent and reverse both intrinsic and extrinsic skin damage. The application of specific techniques as well as appropriate products, not only revitalizes the skin from the outside in, but also invites the body to begin to heal the skin, our barrier from diseases, and rid itself of toxins that permeate our physiological bodies resulting in overall better health.

One important technique conducted by the Esthetician is the facial. We can trace the history of the facial from the era of Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt through the Victorian Era. One of Cleopatra’s beauty regimes began with a mask of black asphalt mud from the banks of the Dead Sea, a scrub of Dead Sea salts and finished with a massage of essential oils. Minerals and foundations were used to lighten skin and powdered pigments of malachite, copper ore and kohl mixed with fats were used by both men and women to protect them from the elements and aid in summoning the majesty of the earth. These rituals were an important part of health, emotion and beauty.

Now we fast-forward to 2009. Our options are endless regarding what to do to achieve the desired facial appearance, however uninformed or unstudied. We will try anything but usually have not pinpointed specific solutions for our unique physical and emotional composition. What are we trying to achieve, how do we maximize our time and money to do so, and what are the benefits that make the investment worthwhile?

Obviously, we are not going to kick the unconscious drive to treat our skin, specifically the face and its protective covering, with products that will provide beauty, health and emotional well-being. This treatment, the facial, is not just pampering that costs a lot. It is not an indulgence that should be of least priority. Awareness of the health benefits of a facial make it somewhat like a daily vitamin, regular exercise or a therapy session. Meeting daily challenges requires that all our tools be cleaned, oiled and maintained, the face being our first connection and processing gizmo that directs the ensuing interactions that produce what results. Think about the previously described unique role of the face again.

Our skin cells are replenishing themselves continuously. Many factors slow down this renewal sequence. Dead skin cells that have absorbed pore clogging smog can remain too long allowing toxins to enter directly into our bloodstream and inflammations to occur, resulting in issues ranging from acneic conditions to dullness, dryness and premature wrinkling. Regular facials tease our physiological systems to function more efficiently thereby stimulating the regeneration process.

One primary return realized from facial sessions is a release of toxic waste buildup in the lymphatic system through the lymph nodes that are situated around the face and neck. The lymphatic system, which plays the principle role in our immune system and in skin conditions, does not have its’ own transportation method and must depend upon other body functions to eliminate disease causing waste. The lymph is moved along the lymphatic vessel network by either intrinsic contractions of the lymphatic vessels or by extrinsic compression of the lymphatic vessels via external tissue forces (e.g. the contractions of skeletal muscles).

Properly applied facial techniques help move waste to the lymph nodes for processing and elimination. What results is a rejuvenation of the metabolic process of skin cell turnover. Benefits can include a decrease in inflammations, increased collagen production, a glowing revitalized appearance and an improvement in overall body condition. We greet the world with a development that occurred internally, stimulated by external facial manipulations.

A variety of facial treatments designed for specific issues are available. One example can include acupressure and facial massage, which diffuse lactic acid and carbon monoxide held in the muscle tissue resulting in an increase in blood and lymph flow, a reduction in inflammation and lesions, decreased muscle tension and facial relaxation. Another might be appropriately applied products that aid in the reduction or increase of sebum production thereby controlling facial ‘breakouts’ and an oily complexion or decreasing dryness that produces a lackluster appearance and encourages wrinkling. Specific treatments exist for rosacea, uneven skin tones and hyper and hypo pigmentation.

The facts are that regardless of age, it is important to recognize the need to take care of the largest organ of your body and the one part that is constantly coping with the environment, the face. Ultra-violet rays, environmental pollution, biologically delivered chemicals and hormones (stress, illness, and inherited conditions) and wrong choice or improper use of products all conspire to damage and prematurely age our skin.

The results of professionally directed skin care are not only psychological because of improved appearance when greeting the world or looking in the mirror, but physiologically, the body’s immune system is relieved of some of its work load and enabled to focus on other disease protection. The cost of an appropriate facial does not have to be exorbitant. It is easy to consider a facial an extravagance, the benefits however, trickle deeply into promoting total body health.

This article was authored by Rebecca West. Read more informative articles from Rebecca and others at www.desteneesalonandspa.com.

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Tags: Facials