Articles: "Holistic facial"

Executive stress cured | Holistic facial | Hands on for 04

ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS
Have you tried the fingertip facelift?

Beauty really is more than skin deep.  If you want to look your best, you may consider looking beyond mere facials and moisturizers to holistic therapy.  “If you want to change the way you look, you have to change the way you feel” insists holistic facial therapist Joy Salem.

She used a battery of techniques, working physically on the face but also in a more subtle way on the emotions to effect change both from within and without.  “The face is our primary centre of emotional expression,” says Joy.  “Our whole life is there.  Unfortunately, each of our traumas and much of our stress is seen there too.”

As these stresses continue, they become ingrained in our faces and muscle tension.  Our faces ‘seize up’ and our expression becomes hard-looking.  The idea behind HFT is to encourage the face to relax its tension and return to a state of ease. 
At the same time, the therapist will work with flower essences to shift the client’s emotional patterning from within.  The Bach flower essences are said to gently treat negative emotions such as fear, anger, jealously and impatience.  The newer Australian Bush flower remedies are considered a useful addition as they address the additional problems that modern living brings, such as work, stress and bitterness following divorce.

“People come here thinking it’s just for their face,” says Joy, “but we go so much deeper. The aim is to make people look and feel as good as they possibly can – like when you’ve just fallen in love or you’ve just come back from holiday.  It’s not just your face, it’s your total demeanor.”

What happens

The first session starts with a case history, looking at all aspects of your life.  Alongside questions concerning general health, Joy also asks for information such as ‘when did you last see an optician?’ and ‘how comfortable are your shoes?’  She insists “It’s common sense.  If your eyes are strained or your feet are in pain, it will show on your face.”

Every holistic facial session is different, tailored to the client but all include rejuvanessence non-invasive facelift techniques.  Lying on a couch, your face is firmly manipulated, pressed and stroked as if the therapist were pulling it back into place.

Margareta Loughran who introduced Rejuvanessence to the UK, explains: “The connective tissue of the skin itself  is made up of cells which secrete collagen fibres which weave together to form a net-like structure.  They also secrete the gelatin-like substance that fills the space between the fibres.  What we call ageing of the skin is primarily a stiffening of the gelatin.  The chains of molecules get bound together and the gelatin becomes hard.  The skin is less flexible and lines become set.”
To add to our problems, the hardening of the connective tissue can almost ‘glue’ the skin to the tissues surrounding the muscles or bones.  The face then becomes drawn, tight and pinched.  Rejuvanessence works by releasing this stuck tissue, gently helping the connective tissue to regain its elasticity.  “We release tension in 91 muscles,” says Loughran.

One side of the: face is worked first, then the therapist: will stop and show, you yourself in a mirror!  Usually the difference is dramatic: it can look as. if one side of your face has been. pulled up and  tautened.  It can make such a change to the face that it has been dubbed the ‘fingertip facelift’ and many people choose to have regular top-ups rather than go under the surgeon's knife. "There is only so much you can do without a scalpel,” admits Joy Salem, "but it is remarkably effective.”

The next step is lymphatic drainage: a massage technique which stimulates the flow of lymph and encourages the .elimination of puffiness and water retention. The effects can be instant - eyes appear clearer, bags diminish, chins and cheek bones reappear from under a cushion of fluid.  You may feel an aching sensation in your lymph nodes, (particularly in. the neck) following treatment. - it shows the nodes are working to combat toxins which have been. released.

Because the treatment is holistic, no aspect of your lifestyle is ignored. Expect to be given flower essences or advice on which nutritional. supplements to take.

What it can do for you
The therapy is ideal for anyone who has toyed with the idea of cosmetic surgery but would like to try a more gentle, non-invasive practice.  It  can make the whole face appear more defined: the jaw line becomes sharper, cheekbones re-emerge, puffiness lessens, lines soften and eyes seem brighter.  “I can’t make promises, but sometimes the difference can be spooky.” Says Joy.

The effects are not just cosmetic:  it is said to help relieve sinus problems.  It is good for stress as the treatment is deeply relaxing.  Perhaps surprisingly, there is also success with complexes and phobias.  In general, people feel happier with themselves: self-confidence is boosted.  “If you are happy with yourself it creates ripples,” says Joy.

The lowdown

.A one-off treatment should give an instant effect, but for best results you should have a series of six treatments, seven to ten days apart.  It is also possible to have an intensive weekend course.  A 90 minute session will cost you £70.  The treatment is not advised however, during the first trimester of pregnancy or if you are trying to conceive.

If you just want to try rejuvanessence there are about 200 practitioners in Britain.  Sessions cost between £30 and £60 and ideally you should have a course of six.

This article appeared in The Express newspaper on Monday 12 February  2001