What are the benefits of a facial? Is it more than just a “get away” from the stress, worry, and drudgery of work or family? Are you looking for a life changer? Read this article to discover real benefits of the facial that go beyond healthy skin.
THE FACIAL AS HOLISTIC HEALING
When I think of living a holistic healing lifestyle, I think of taking care of myself. This means healthy eating and exercise, of course, but a major category for me is stress reduction. To alleviate stress means I carve out some time to pamper myself with a facial massage and skin nutrition therapy.
In this modern word full of Smart Phones, computers, and advanced technology providing us with everything imaginable, the human touch is greatly needed and lacking in our society. Facials provide not only improvement in the skin, but have many psychological and physiological benefits.
THE HEALING POWER OF TOUCH
I will always remember a story told by a skin-care director at a skin-care institute in San Francisco. She had an elderly client who came to see her almost every week. She told the woman that is wasn’t necessary for her to come so often because of her fixed income. The woman looked at her and said, “Oh my dear, since my husband, Henry, died you are the only person who touches me.” It was such a heart-felt story.
WHAT TO EXPECT
I incorporate a loving touch into all my facials. First I clean the skin, then remove dead skin build-up with special exfoliants, perform extractions to clear acne if requested, give a very relaxing facial massage that includes the neck, décolleté, arms, hands and feet, then I apply a special mask. Many of my customers fall asleep or at least have trouble getting off my table because it is so relaxing. I consider it an honor if they fall asleep because I feel that I’ve de-stressed them and created a feeling of well-being while nourishing their skin and their psyche.
BENEFITS OF THE FACIAL
When I was young I thought facials were just a pampering thing girls did on a Monday night – put on an oatmeal mask and some nice face cream and go to sleep. But later in life when I experienced a better understanding of the benefits to the skin and the deep relaxing experience of a facial, I began to pursue it as an authentic and meaningful career.Here are some of the wonderful benefits a facial provides:
Physiological Benefits
• Decreases blood pressure
• Decreases heart rate
• Can reduce headaches
• Increases lymph flow drainage
• Increases parasympathetic nervous system activity
• Decreases muscle tension
• Improves condition, function, and appearance of the skin
• Improves metabolism
• Helps muscle tone
• Helps cleanse skin of impurities
• Reduces puffiness and sinus congestion
• Helps absorption of products into the skin
• Helps replace lost sleep
Psychological Benefits
• Soothes the psychological state
• Enhances feelings of well-being
• Relieves emotional stress
• Improves self-esteem
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This article is written by Vanessa Martin. Vanessa is a licensed Esthetician, from the Central California Coast. She is a Health and Wellness Educator of the Monterey Bay Holistic Alliance. Vanessa grew up in Pasadena, California. After attending Sonoma State University she moved to Monterey, CA, where she opened her own gallery. She currently works designing and creating jewelry in her studio in Monterey overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The Monterey Bay Holistic Alliance is a registered 501 (c) 3 nonprofit health and wellness education organization. For more information about the Monterey Bay Holistic Alliance contact us or visit our website at www.montereybayholistic.com.
Disclaimer: The Monterey Bay Holistic Alliance is a charitable, independent registered nonprofit 501(c)3 organization and does not endorse any particular products or practices. We exist as an educational organization dedicated to providing free access to health education resources, products and services. Claims and statements herein are for informational purposes only and have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The statements about organizations, practitioners, methods of treatment, and products listed on this website are not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This information is intended for educational purposes only. The MBHA strongly recommends that you seek out your trusted medical doctor or practitioner for diagnosis and treatment of any existing health condition.
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