Our skin is an extraordinarily complex and beautiful thing. It is our first line of defense in protecting our bodies. It is designed intricately with layers, all of which play roles in things like regulating body temperature, water, sensation, and vitamin D. We often forget that our skin is not just a covering, but a working and vital part of our body. It has this stunning quality of delicately reflecting what is happening outside of our bodies, (things like injuries, sun, & weather) and what is happening within our bodies. Your skin can give evidence to diet, stress, hormonal imbalance, & dehydration. As well, it has the potential to change drastically with biological events such as puberty, pregnancy, & menopause.
With so many variables affecting our skin’s function and appearance, it is no wonder that we tend to take more than a few missteps in our skincare regimes and even our treatments. After decades of caring for and treating countless skin types, I have learned that skin is unique to every person, and my approach to each treatment should be equally as unique. So as a holistic facialist, acquiring and mastering new methods of skin therapy has become my life’s passion. Each technique, however, must adhere to my skincare philosophy, which is that it must be not only effective, but also safe, healing, and whole-body conscious. Listed below are a few of the methods I keep and return to most in my facial arsenal.
Its name may sound intimidating, but microneedling (also referred to as collagen induction therapy) is a minimally invasive treatment that stimulates the body’s cell turnover. The invisible punctures it creates on the skin’s surface encourage cell turnover, boosting collagen & elastin production, all of which combat the signs of aging by producing smoother, plumper skin. As well, it can address pigmentation and sun damage.
One of my favorite bonuses of microneedling is that the tiny punctures create channels that allow my serums to penetrate the skin much more effectively. Aside from slight redness that may occur with more sensitive skin types, there is no downtime. I recommend this treatment for clients with pigmentation, sun damage, and those looking to prevent or treat signs of aging.
Click on my video to view a microneedling demo!
The microcurrent treatment is like a workout for your face; it does a phenomenal job at toning facial muscles, reducing puffiness, increasing cellular activity, and tightening pores. Often called the “natural face life’, it is safe and painless. During treatment, minute electrical currents are emitted on a cellular level, stimulating collagen and elastin production.
I love this treatment due to how it works on the dermis (the deepest layer of the skin) while still being completely gentle on the epidermis (top layer of skin). Like microneedling, there is zero downtime, and I typically recommend it for clients looking to prevent or treat signs of aging as well as those looking to tighten the appearance of their pores.
Created by NASA for plant growth in space, LEDs (light-emitting diodes) work with the same concept that microneedling and microcurrent work, triggering the biological process that rejuvenates tissue and skin. And too, like the other therapies, it is non-invasive and safe. It does not contain the harmful UV rays, making it perfectly fine for regular use.
Because different color LED lights emit different wavelengths, it can have different effects on the skin. I most commonly utilize red and blue. Red LED light acts on fibroblasts, the skin cells in charge of collagen production, and also reduces skin inflammation. Blue, on the other hand, kills the bacteria that causes acne. However, LED light therapy is wonderfully universal and can address so much more, like dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, skin damage, inflammation, rosacea, to name a few.
If you follow beauty trends, you will have heard of jade rolling. It is a simple tool made from smooth jade, or in some cases, rose quartz. The gem rolls across areas of the face in deliberate movements, upward from the neck. Though recently trending, it has been around for a long time as a part of Chinese holistic medicine and a common skin therapy element in cosmetic acupuncture.
Jade is often used for aiding detoxification and aiding the body's filtration and cleansing systems. This, along with the movements of the roller, make jade rolling the perfect chemical-free way to encourage circulation and lymphatic drainage. Slight pressure from the cool, smooth gem does wonders for puffy and inflamed skin.
Check out my video to see the jade roller in action!
Like jade rolling, Gua Sha (sometimes called coining) is an East Asian and Chinese method that utilizes jade or rose quartz. However, instead of a roller, the edge of the stone is scraped over the skin upwards. Gua Sha targets the same issues as jade rolling, lymphatic drainage, stiff facial muscles, blood circulation, and swollen skin, though sometimes with a more dramatic result.
This technique assists in breaking up the connective tissue that clings to facial muscles, called fascia, as it impedes optimal circulation. The method is non-invasive, but great care and know-how are required. It has even been known to alleviate headaches and migraines while promoting energy within the skin, deep within it tissue.