What is holistic skincare?
In the current mainstream, skin care has become an industry of finding products and treatments that create an affect for the skin, with the goal of creating a certain aesthetic. Unfortunately, a lot of skin care and treatments bypass the fact that our skin is an intelligent organ that is part of the body, and it's number one job is to protect, and communicate what is going on with a person's health and well being.
One of my favorite lymphatic educators, Dr. Perry Nickelston, says,
“No system of the body gets injured alone, and no system of the body heals alone.”
It is all connected. So when working with the skin from a holistic lens, I'm looking at your skin not as a type, or what seems wrong with it, but what is it communicating and how to respond to that communication. Most importantly, where do I feel tension that can be contributing to stagnation in the tissues (remember: “No FLOW, no GLOW” ~Angela Peck). I consider what techniques will help create more openness and flow, and what can topically be applied to help nourish and balance the top layers of the skin. While we have genetic influence with our skin, there are more reasons why the skin might be dry, oily, congested, inflamed, or plump, smooth, and dewy.
When working with the skin from a holistic lens, these are the things I am paying attention to:
HEAD POSTURE
Neck tension and forward head posture has a huge effect on the flow to and from the tissues of the face, affecting the health and aging of the skin.
THE MICROBIOME
A diverse community of microorganisms play a crucial role in the barrier function of the skin, while disruptions can lead to acne, eczema, and infections.
THE FASCIA
This connective tissue gives support, shape, and hydration to the skin. It anchors the skin to the underlying tissues. Specific massage will smooth out adhesions in the fascia. Blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, and energy channels are running through the fascia. The health of the fascia affects all of those structures.
THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
This system is vital in our immunity, and clearing away what no longer needs to be in the tissues which affects the vitality of the skin. If there is puffiness, there is stagnation that we want to move.
FACIAL MUSCLES
We have 40-50 facial, head, and neck muscles. Muscle tension can affect the fluid and energy flow to the skin, and it affects the shaping of the face.
THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
Our skin is the nervous system turned inside out. It is the “computer” of the body. Moving the body into parasympathetic (rest & digest) can allow healing in the body, reflecting in the skin and whole being.
FACIAL MAPPING
Every area of the face correlates with an organ/system that sends us signals, and these areas can be worked with to address those organs through reflexology and massage.
THE MERIDIANS
We have lines of energy that connects everything, energizes, and heals. Acupressure not only opens energy flow in the skin, it allows energy flow in the body.
THE ENERGY FIELD/HEART CENTER
We are energetic beings, with energy channels, centers, and a whole field of energy around us that affect the health of the body, which also reflects in the skin.
HERBAL REMEDIES
We are nature, and nature provides abundant support. It provides “whole food” for the skin, and production tends to be more mindful and sustainable for the earth.
Call me a nerd, but I needed to understand the skin in all of its depths because we are complex and miraculous beings. We can do superficial treatments for the skin, but why not tap into the goldmine that already exists to create the most vibrant and healthy skin? It connects us to ourselves, which is the most valuable takeaway.
