Fact or Fiction - Facial Exercises Can Help Prevent Sagging Skin

How many of us have heard about facial exercises or face yoga, but are unsure if these methods really work for tightening sagging skin? There are a number of YouTube tutorials, as well as books on the subject, and miscellaneous information available online, which may confuse the general public. Articles in Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire boast facial exercise as an effective solution to a younger face – if muscle training works to strengthen the body, it must work the same way on the face, right?

Face yoga expert Danielle * says: “The exercises work the hypodermis or the lower layer of the skin, the dermis or the middle layer and the epidermis or the upper layer. By working all these layers correctly it will increase the blood circulation, allowing more oxygen and more nourishment to reach the cells of the skin. The result is a clear, healthy complexion with a beautiful glow which has less toxins and has a better ability to absorb moisture.”

The reality is, there has been absolutely no research confirming this to be true. On the contrary, plastic surgeons unanimously agree that facial exercises can indeed cause deeper expression lines, and more wrinkling, but why?

The hypodermis (subcutaneous tissue) is mostly made up of fat tissue and fibrous bands that anchor your skin to the deep fascia. This layer may vary in the body from very minimal, such as in areas of the eyelids, or as a thick layer as in the fat around the abdomen and waist. Hypodermis aging is observed by the loss of fat tissues which affects the shape of our face, neck and hands, i.e. sagging skin. Our cheeks and eye sockets may hallow out, and the skin on the neck, breasts and hands may lose its firmness.

Muscular stimulation by facial exercise doesn’t correct this issue, furthermore, more expression lines are created in the areas where the hypodermis is thinnest. Through repeated strenuous facial muscle engagement, more lines are formed in the same way crow’s feet, marionette lines and forehead wrinkles are created naturally.

What methods actually work to reduce sagging skin? Manual facial stimulation such as Dien Chan multireflexology, facial acupressure, facial acupuncture and European massage are all effective at toning the facial muscles and stimulating circulation, which gives a plump, revived appearance to sagging skin. There are also numerous devices to tone and lift sagging skin, including microcurrent machines, phototherapy LED, and Radio Frequency modalities. In a medical setting, machines such as ThermiTight, ThermiSmooth, IPL, Fractional laser are all beneficial in tightening the skin, without surgical involvement.

Topical products based on hyaluronic acid, peptides and growth factors hydrate and nourish the skin, giving it a supple and youthful glow. In addition to anti-aging products, regular use of sunblock protects the skin from sun damage and elastosis.

Hyaluronic acid supports the structure of connective tissue by acting as a water magnet to maintain extra-cellular fluidity. HA forms a viscous fluid with exceptional lubricating properties necessary for the vital functions of many parts of the human body including the skin. If sagging skin is a concern, 200mg of hyaluronic acid may be taken as a dietary supplement, as well as 6000 mg of bioactive collagen types 1 & 3.

African Red Tea

We don't use GMOs in our natural ingredients - only the finest fair-trade, organic extracts and botanical actives! Have you heard of Rooibos? The botanical name for the Rooibos plant is Aspalathus linearis. The plant and the products made from it is widely known as Rooibos (pronounced ROY-BOSS). In some countries it is also called "red bush" or "African red tea". Rooibos is a fynbos species within the Cape Floral Kingdom, one of only six recognized floral kingdoms of the world.

Rooibos is a unique product from a unique area. The plant is indigenous to the Cedarberg region, north-west of Cape Town, where the local communities have been using it to brew tea for centuries. This is the only place in the world where Rooibos grows naturally. The region's hot and dry summers, winter rainfall and coarse sandy soil is ideally suited to the Rooibos plant. The Cedarberg region's rock art heritage, geology and biodiversity attract scientists from all over the world. It is also a popular adventure sport and eco-tourism destination.

Clanwilliam, Graafwater, Citrusdal, Van Rhynsdorp, Nieuwoudtsville and Wupperthal are some of South Africa's Rooibos-producing towns.

We use this amazing ingredient on our Amino-Lift mask! http://saian.net/product/amino-lift-leave-on-mask/

Dealing With Adult Eczema and Keloidal Skin

I'd like to talk about two skin conditions which are the frequent cause of discomfort for sufferers, and offer some helpful advice on how to treat them. This blog entry is about Eczema and Keloids.

What tips do you have for those dealing with adult eczema? 

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic allergic condition in which the skin develops areas of itchy, scaly rashes (usually on the face, elbows, hands and feet). The doctor will usually prescribe drugs called calcineurin inhibitors — such as tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel) that affect the immune system and help maintain normal skin, control itching and reduce flares of atopic dermatitis. Corticosteroid crèmes, and soothing crèmes containing calendula or aloe are also recommended to reduce the itching, and soothe the discomfort.

How can someone minimize the appearance of keloids or scar tissue? 

A keloid sometimes referred to as a keloid scar, is a tough heaped-up scar that rises quite abruptly above the rest of the skin. It usually has a smooth top and a pink or purple color. Keloids are irregularly shaped and tend to enlarge progressively. Unlike scars, keloids do not regress over time. Steroid injections are usually given once every 2-6 weeks into the keloids and usually help flatten them, however, steroid injections can also make the flattened keloid more red by stimulating the formation of more superficial blood vessels. Most keloids respond to injection of a steroid called triamcinolone into the scar. I also don’t recommend piercings and tattoo to keloid sufferers – since scarring an area of the skin can cause keloid formation around the wounds.

September 2015 DAYSPA Magazine Features the Best Handheld Microcurrent

The latest, September 2015 issue of DAYSPA Magazine features an interview with a happy spa owner who uses SAIAN Natural Clinical Skin Care in her practice! Please see this wonderful excerpt from page 62:

Amy Lord of Beyond Beauty Spa in Austin, TX writes about SAIAN Skin Pro 2 System:

How it Works:
This travel-friendly galvanic/microcurrent machine provides a portable facial. When used with SAIAN peptide products, it firms and tones the face and neck, stimulates collagen production, and visibly reduces the signs of aging.

Why it’s my favorite:
“I went to a non-surgical facelift class four years ago in Dallas and was impressed by the noticeable results of lifting and reduction of fine lines and wrinkles achieved in just one treatment with this device”, Lord says. “The investment was affordable, so I thought I’d give it a try. It has been one of the best business decisions I’ve ever made, and has hugely increased my facial income and product sales!”

When Lord first brought the SAIAN Skin Pro 2 System into her spa and encouraged her facial clients to try it, she saw most of them switch from a typical European facial to one that employs the device. “My clients love the results from the hand-held machines, “ she says. “Once they tried the new facial, there was no going back.” The Skin Pro 2's size and portability are major pluses. “It’s easy to take with me to give quick treatments at a wedding party or other beauty event,” Lord notes. “At the spa, it doesn’t take up a lot of space in my treatment room like many other pieces of equipment. And it’s my biggest money maker, so in that respect, it really comes in handy!”