#antiageing – The Fascial Effect

Keep Your Skin Supple

After Menopause (sometimes called ‘the change’) one of the visible changes is often a more noticeable reduction in the plumpness of the skin, referred to as ‘volume’.  Collagen gives your face that smooth, youthful resilience and, as its production drops off, the result is more wrinkles, fine lines and sagging.  Not what you want when your confidence is probably not at an all-time high.

For those that can afford it, this is when they go to an aesthetician to get Botox or fillers – but this is a radical approach and not for everyone.

Alternatively, you may reach for the skin care products containing the latest ingredient that promises to be the answer to your problem. Hyaluronic acid, quite rightly, has recently received a lot of attention.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is undoubtedly one of the most popular ingredients in the anti-ageing skincare industry today. Its main task is to absorb and retain water so that the skin looks and feels plump and supple.

HA (also known as hyaluronan or hyaluronate) is an important component for fascia – the membrane that encloses all our organs. HA is produced naturally by our bodies, and its primary task is to retain water to keep our fascia well lubricated. This in turn helps the skin feel more hydrated and appear more youthful.

Like a thirsty sponge, HA is like a magnet for moisture and can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water. These hydrating properties are the reason it is so popular in moisturisers and serums.

As part of the research for my dissertation I developed a facial massage routine using myo-fascial techniques. The results were impressive! This product-free facial is anti-ageing because it encourages the skin to retain moisture, plumps out fine lines and wrinkles and improves firmness. It does this by stimulating the fascia beneath the skin to ‘wake up’ and start moving blood, lymph and energy and start synthesising what it needs to keep the skin healthy.

It’s a real alternative to chemical interventions and I’ve developed these techniques into a 90 minute online training session so you can learn a simple massage that you can do for yourself to combat the effects of menopause on your skin.

To book a Zoom Facial Workshop Click here

Ageing

Seasonal skin

September is nearly over and October just a few days away – for me it’s the beginning of autumn. I look forward to the changing colours, vibrant golds, oranges and reds – especially when the sun is shining.

But it’s not just nature that is changing, your skin and body need to be prepared for the change in the weather. Lower humidity, crisper air and cooler winds all have an effect on your skin. You wrap your body in warmer clothing, but your face is exposed to the elements. That means your face may feel drier, your skin a little rougher and tighter.

The shorter day can affect your mood and sleep patterns and all that will reflect in your face. If you embrace the power of nature and prepare for the seasonal change, your skin will reward you by staying pliable and glowing regardless of the season.

What can you do to offset the effects of autumn?

Discover how to keep the soft tissues of your face supple and toned. You can learn the techniques I use during anti-ageing facials to incorporate into your daily routine. These are a series of precise and gentle movements applied on the surface of your skin, but focused on the supporting tissues – the fascia – beneath.

This gentle facial massage will boost the circulation, bringing oxygen and nutrient rich blood to your face to stimulate your collagen, which is what gives your skin that youthful plumpness.

It also aids lymphatic drainage to help reduce puffiness and swelling. This also brightens a tired complexion (and makes you look younger).

You may be surprised to discover how tense the muscles in and around your face get. Whether you are inclined to clench your teeth or not, your face will become tense – and that generates creases. A Fascial Effect™ massage will relieve this tension softening those fine lines and smoothing out your face.

A little bit of pampering does you good – and you can do this at home for yourself. It’s both relaxing and invigorating and it will make you feel rejuvenated, soften your skin and improve your overall skin tone, while supporting muscle health. This all has a lifting effect – so like a gentle face-lift – without the surgery, fillers or Botox. The bonus is that it slows down ageing and protects your skin from the changing weather.

More than skin deep

Better still, this massage works on the surface of your skin, but has a much deeper effect. It works on your central nervous system, which impacts so many of your body’s natural processes.

It can help with:

Hormonal balance
Your immune system
Reducing stress
Improved sleep

The Fascial Effect facial is precise, focused and mindful resulting in a calm mind and body. It makes your body more resilient and able to fight off infections and disease at the same time as recharging and rejuvenating you.

You can either book a Fascial Effect facial massage with me – or join one of my online classes and learn to do it yourself. Your skin will thank you!

Nutrition

Tune up your body

Most patients are a product of the lifestyle they lead – or sometimes even a lifestyle they led in the past, which comes back to haunt them!

The body is a highly sophisticated machine that depends on all the systems working together in harmony. For this to happen there needs to be balance.

Your internal systems all affect each other, your temperature, blood pressure, hormones, digestive system all have an impact. And don’t leave out your emotional wellbeing; it’s a proven fact that your state of mind can affect you physically. If you’re stressed or under pressure it can manifest physically in headaches, raised blood pressure, aches and pains, etc.

Exercise and nutrition also play a part. It’s a bit like a car – a high performance machine needs the right fuel – and an occasional ‘thrash’ to keep it top nick! That applies as much to your body as to a F1 racing car.

Balance is the key

We talk about work-life balance, about nutritional balance, about the importance of exercise and mental wellbeing. The challenge for most of us is that we live such busy lives. We’re running from home to work to the school pick up, then to the gym and when do we have time to pay close attention to everything? Just trying to manage it all will throw your mental wellbeing out of balance.

Even if you think that you eat healthily you’re almost certainly missing some essential nutrients. But who has the time to work out exactly what every carrot or piece of fruit contributes in nutritional value?

Back to basics

In the world of personal development there is a model, developed by Abraham Maslow, known as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. This is based on the theory that we need to have our basic needs met – air, water, food – first, before we can move to the next most important needs. In other words you start at the bottom of this diagram and work upwards.

There is an ironic addition to the model in today’s world, where some of the younger generation claim that Wi-Fi and a fully-charged battery are more important than air and water!

Basically, it means that you need to tick all the boxes to arrive at the top.

So we have plenty of food, but not enough time to ensure we’re getting the right nutrition – I’m not sure Maslow was looking at that, he was more focused on the essentials to survive. But if your body isn’t getting the nutrition it needs, that can manifest as a whole range of symptoms:

Headaches
Aches and pains
Tiredness
Lethargy
Brain fog

Sound familiar?

Everything starts with a seed

Life exists from seeds. So that means that seeds contain everything you need. That’s why a seed-based supplement makes perfect sense.

I tried this myself and was surprised at the results – and the changes are subtle, for instance, I noticed I walked up the steep hill into town without puffing and blowing, my energy levels are enhanced and I just feel better.

Other benefits include:

Reduction in inflammation
Less water retention
Ridding the body of toxins
Fewer general aches and pains
Hormonal balance as a result of the Omega fats

And best of all

Slows down the ageing process

That’s because the combination of seeds fights free radical damage; renews and rejuvenates cells and energises at a cellular level.

If you’re one of those busy women who packs 26 hours into every 24, give your body a boost. Find out more here or give me a call on 07775 633798 and lets find out what your body needs.

Ageing

Nearly as good as a facelift…. without the surgery

There are very few of us who don’t want to look the very best we can. However, it does feel like the quest for a youthful appearance has given rise to some very invasive procedures which claim to give instant results.

An increasingly popular yet worrying trend is to turn to cosmetic surgery, in particular facelifts, to achieve the desired look. According to the NHS website, a facelift can cost up to £10,000 and involves multiple incisions in your face and neck. It can take 2 – 4 weeks to recover from the surgery, and after that results can take up to 9 months to be visible.

So, what if there was another option that gave you a more youthful look without the need to go through all the above?

Before you sign up for expensive and painful cosmetic treatments, why not explore a natural option that improves the appearance of the skin and can be nearly as good as a facelift?

The Fascial Effect® face massage is an alternative facial because it targets the area of connective tissue beneath the skin called fascia. Gentle but focused fascia releasing techniques have been adapted for the anti-ageing benefits in the face.

Here’s how it works:

Blood circulation is stimulated supplying more nutrients, impurities drain away unrestricted and dead skin cells are brushed away naturally to reveal the glowing complexion beneath.
At a cellular level, fascia responds to touch and specific techniques stimulate the production of its own hyaluronic acid and collagen.
Areas of tension in the face are soothed so that muscles can relax. This allows energy channels to open, giving a feeling of complete relaxation not just in the face and head, but in the rest of the body too.

An additional benefit to this technique is that it is fully sustainable.

It can all be done without the use of skin care products, and is therefore suitable for those who are keen on environmentally sustainable treatments but who would still like to enjoy a facial which gives results.

Talking about sustainability, why not keep your carbon footprint to a minimum by enjoying the Fascial Effect® face massage from the comfort of your own home? I offer an online face massage workshop where I reach you a few simple techniques that you can apply yourself and achieve anti-ageing results whenever you would like.

Click here for full details and to book your place on the next workshop.

Ageing

Post-menopausal problem solving

Menopause is an important milestone in a woman’s life, but for many who struggle with their symptoms and identity, it doesn’t feel like something to celebrate. Falling levels of oestrogen are not the only trigger of menopausal symptoms; other lifestyle habits play a part.

A diet lacking essential nutrients, unhealthy levels of physical and mental stress and exposure to toxins eventually take their toll. The symptoms of menopause are likely to be more severe while the body is in a weaker nutritional and physiological state. Although menopause is anatural part of getting older, it may also speed up the aging process.

Throughout my career I’ve seen the impact of ageing on women, both the skin texture changes as hormones alter and also physically as their bodies are more subject to stiffness and reduced mobility due to aches and pains. While there isn’t a magic wand there are many things that you can do to reduce the post-menopausal symptoms.

Keep your skin supple

After ‘the change’ one of the visible changes is often a more noticeable lack of what is referred to as ‘volume’. This is what give your face that smooth, youthful ‘plumpness’ and as your collagen production drops off, the result is more wrinkles, lines and sagging. Not what you want when your confidence is probably not at an all-time high.

For those that can afford it, this is when they go off to an aesthetician to get Botox or fillers – but this is a radical approach and not for everyone.

As part of my research for my dissertation I developed a product-free facial massage, using myo-fascial techniques, that noticeably improved the skin tone and reduced the appearance of those ageing wrinkles.

That’s now been further developed into a 90 minute online training session so you can learn a simple massage that you can do for yourself. To book a Zoom Facial Workshop Click here

Look after your body

As you get older aches and pains seem to appear out of nowhere. The problem is not just the reduction in movement, but pain tends to reflect in your face – and that encourages more of those frown lines!

If you’ve over-stretched or strained something or are stiff or in pain when moving, get help sooner rather than later. More often than not it’s a situation that can be made better by myo-fascial release. This works with the soft tissues restoring flexibility and pliability.

Nutrition counts

In a perfect world we would all eat a perfect diet and be a perfect size with perfect fitness. But life isn’t perfect (and wouldn’t it be boring if it was?)

Of course, I’d advise eating a sensible diet with plenty of nutritional value – but who can resist the occasional takeaway or comfort food? A nutritional deficit often results in tiredness, lethargy or a general feeling of being ‘under par’. I know this because I’ve been there!

I’m always a little hesitant to recommend specific products, but when I discovered the Rain International range, I tried them and noticed a significant difference. Since then I’ve recommended them to friends and clients and the feedback has been hugely positive. They’re a natural cold pressed seed-oil based supplement and have literally transformed some people’s lives.

Whether you go the do-it-yourself route or find a supplement that gives your body what it needs – remember what you put in is the fuel that keeps your body running. Better to give it premium fuel, than low quality stuff.

To shop for healthy seed oil supplements Click here or if you have any questions on any of these issues – please drop me an email at jas@thefascialeffect.co.uk.

Ageing

Beauty from within

There comes a time when the visible signs of ageing really start to show and we reach out for anti-ageing skin care products. We hope that the ingredients will slow down or even reverse the signs of ageing. However, the concentrations of these ingredients are so small that they barely skim the surface of the skin let alone penetrate deeper layers of fascial tissue where the new cells, collagen and elastin are formed.

Your creams will only do some of the work. So what else can you do, to keep your skin youthful for as long as possible? A healthy diet packed with nutritional ingredients is essential. But, if you’re anything like me, life is too busy to watch every mouthful and try to integrate all the nutrients your skin needs – even supposing you could work out exactly what foods to include, how much, how often and the exact quantities of each food you need to eat.

Seeds are a great place to start and they add an array of benefits for skin hair and overall health. The good news is that you don’t need to start a research project to benefit from them.

I always hesitate to recommend products – there are so many and many claim to do all kinds of amazing things and I wouldn’t recommend anything I don’t use myself. I’ve not only tried the Rain seed-based supplements, but noticed a significant difference. I’ve been using them a long time now and this is just to give you an introduction to one of their daily supplements.

Soul Red is a blend of pure oils from 3 types of seed of which work well together; black cumin seed, red raspberry seed and chardonnay grape seed oils. Scientifically tested and approved, Soul Red slows the ageing of our cells by almost 80%, it reduces inflammation, increases energy levels and improves the condition and function of your cells.

As you might imagine, less ageing on the inside means a more youthful appearance on the outside. Beauty does really come from within.

To shop click here or if you would like to talk to me, just call 07775 633798.

Ageing

How soundly do you sleep?

How often do you wake feeling you could have had a few more hours of sleep? Feeling tired and groggy in the morning is not always due to lack of sleep, but often because of the poor quality of sleep.

Sufficient sleep is necessary for the body to repair the damage it’s suffered during the day. While you rest your body will flush out all the toxins that naturally accumulate and re-charge for another day of living.

If you don’t sleep well your body is unable to do this properly. If this continues over a long period of time it can cause all sorts of health problems.

The problem is that it’s difficult to solve the problem of poor quality sleep – and the effects reach every aspect of your life. Being tired or lacking in energy doesn’t make you a great companion or the employee of the year. You feel every one of your years – and if you’ve had this problem a while, you probably feel older than the calendar says!

So how can you fix this problem?

People will tell you to reduce stress as that’s probably causing a disturbed night’s sleep. Easy to say, but almost impossible to do.

Asking your doctor to prescribe sleeping pills may make you sleep better, but often results in a groggy awakening and a chemically induced sleep isn’t great for your long-term health.

Some people resort to buying new beds or mattresses. Some try spraying lavender oil on their pillows. But what if there was a simpler and more natural solution.

It is important to give the body the right nutrition to cleanse, repair and recharge itself. This wards off morning grogginess and helps you wake up feeling refreshed and able to live your life to the full, instead of struggling to exist.

Soul Red can help. It is a blend of 3 seed oils + ribose, which together are high in antioxidants and excellent for anti-ageing. If you take a sachet of Soul Red last thing at night, the anti-inflammatory effects of the black cumin, chardonnay grape and red raspberry seed oils soothe your body and the antioxidant effects counteract free radical damage in the body while you sleep. Ribose energises the cells which is the equivalent to charging a flat battery in your mobile phone. And the body is ready to go again for another 16 hours or so. As an added bonus it also has an anti-ageing effect on your cells.

To shop click here or if you would like to talk to me, just call 07775 633798.

Ageing

A facial that pushes back the years

Myo-Fascial Release (MFR) has long been used to treat muscular-skeletal conditions with positive results creating free movement and releasing painful areas. It works on the transparent layer – the fascia – that wraps around all our organs, muscles and soft tissue, releasing it where it has got stuck and restoring flexibility. But what happens if the specialised techniques used on the body are adapted for the face?

It could be called a facial, but, unlike the facials we indulge in when visiting a beauty salon or a retreat, there a several notable differences:

There are no rough exfoliators as the gentle hands-on techniques will slough away the dead skin cells
There’s no need for a cleansing mask as invigorated fascia allows the skin to breathe and detox
There are no stimulating skin renewal products (e.g. fruit acids) as the energy released naturally stimulates the generation of new skin cells
You won’t need hydrating products as Hyaluronic acid exists in Fascia and the release of tension and tightness in the face makes room for water to flow for your cells to absorb moisture
In fact, the only product that may be used is a small amount of organic oil.

The big plus is that an MFR facial will restore your facial health, giving your muscles a boost, improving hydration and toning everything up, giving you a more youthful appearance. And there are also plenty of other benefits. The MFR facial relieves modern day stresses and bad posture caused by leaning over computers, texting and sedentary lifestyles of long working hours.

An MFR facial:

Releases tension in your jaw and so reduces the pain that can be caused be clenching or grinding your teeth
Reduction of puffiness around your eyes
Eases tension in your neck and addresses the causes of some tension headaches
Can improve mental clarity; often described as calming, de-stressing and intensely relaxing. Combatting the effects of a busy lifestyle resulting in you feeling tense, exhausted and, at times, unable to focus on what’s important
Relaxing, but also energising as pressure points in meridians passing through the face and head are stimulated and energy is released
A course of treatments usually reduces the need for heavy moisturisers because the structures under the surface of the skin are given the right environment to function better and hydrate naturally.

If you want to regain that youthful appearance, without the need for artificial aid, a course of MFR facials could be exactly what you need.

To book an online Face Massage Workshop click here or if you would like to talk to me, just call 07775 633798.