Facial Contouring Primer by Linda Sechrist
F
acial acupuncture uses 12 strategically placed needles in the scalp and neck at muscle attachment points to lift the face and neck. “Ten to 20 treatments refresh the face, regardless of your age,” advises Anna Baker, a doctor of Oriental medicine and owner of Faces by Dr. Anna, in Sarasota, Florida. Baker advises that the results of 50 treatments are frequently better than a facelift, from sculpting the jawline and neck profile to erasing lines and lifting droopy eyelids.
“Cold lasers, IPL and LED use gentle energy from light waves to act on cells deep in the skin, helping them to grow back stronger,” says cosmetic chemist and esthetician Elina Fedotova, of Elina Organics, of Kalamazoo, Michi- gan, and Chicago, Illinois. Of the three, she considers IPL the most dramatic. Offered by many estheticians, ultrasound wands emit radio frequen- cies to stimulate skin cells through vibration. Used to diminish wrinkles and lessen the appearance of scars, it also facilitates migration of serum and mask ingredients to sink into deeper layers of skin. Note that because ultrasound penetrates to the blood level, any products used during the treatment should be only the purest and most natural.
brighter complexion and firmer looking skin. Retinols. These
naturally occurring forms of vitamin A are a gentler, over-the-counter version of retinoids. They likewise promote healthy cell renewal and collagen production. Gentle Micro-
dermabrasion. At-home microdermabrasion kits work to reduce the vis- ibility of pores and fine lines. Many come with battery-operated brush-
Good genes, a healthy lifestyle and skilled beauty enhancements can slow the clock of aging.
~ Dr. Hema Sundaram, owner, Sundaram Dermatology, Cosmetic & Laser Surgery Center, Rockville, Maryland, and Fairfax, Virginia.
es, aluminum-free scrubs, balancing toners and moisturizing serums; look for natural ingredients. Microcurrent Facial Sculpting. “Electrical stimulation forces facial muscles to do sit-ups,” says Charlene Handel, owner of Skin Fitness, Etc., in Carlsbad, California. Twenty years of experience with handheld commercial products have convinced this certified holistic esthetician that if the current can’t be felt, it isn’t doing the job. Trained by Elina Fedotova, CEO of Elina Organics and founder of the
Association of Holistic Skin Care Practitioners, Handel cautions that techniques intended to move skincare products beyond the outermost dermal layer—such as microcurrent, cold laser, ultrasound and LED— should be 100 percent natural and organic. “Read labels to find the USDA Organic seal and avoid subjecting skin to synthetic chemicals and ingredients that contain petroleum derivatives
from crude oil; artificial fragrances, which frequently contain toxic chemi- cals; and synthetic preservatives such as parabens,” she advises. The ultimate responsibility for sk-
incare is our own. When a healthy diet, sufficient sleep, exfoliation, hydration and natural topical treatments are no longer keeping gravity at bay, individu- als of either gender need not hesitate to seek help from skin-care professionals.
Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings magazines. natural awakenings May 2012 37
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