Restoring Youthful skin
As we age, we are told to embrace our wrinkles, lines, and sagging skin with grace. Yet, when we take a closer look, we can actually trace much of these signs of aging to one often-overlooked culprit: fascia. The key to reversing some of these effects may not be found in the skin cream aisle, but rather in the fascia tool section. Fascia care is the missing link to maintaining a youthful, glowing complexion, and it’s simpler than you think. Here is why fascia-care matters and some of my favorite face fascia strategies.
What is Fascia?
Fascia is the connective tissue that wraps around every bone, muscle, organ, and joint in the body. It also lies just beneath the skin. Faacia is a web-like structure made of collagen fibers and a fluid matrix, giving it a gel-like consistency. While fascia is often overshadowed by muscles and bones, it plays a crucial role in skin health and appearance.
Here are a few key things you should know about fascia to understand its connection to aging skin:
- Fascia is Fluid Fascia is not just a structure; it’s a liquid transport system. It moves nutrients into the skin and removes toxins. When fascia becomes dehydrated, it restricts the flow of nourishing elements to the skin, leading to dryness, dullness, and an overall lack of vitality.
- Fascia Flows Fascia fluid moves in distinct lines or meridians throughout the body, working in tandem with the lymphatic system to remove waste. When fascia becomes stiff or blocked, stagnation can occur, leading to puffiness and other skin issues.
- Fascia Sticks Fascia is incredibly strong and can adhere to surrounding tissues with up to 2000 pounds of force. This can lead to “knots” or adhesions that disrupt the flow of fluid and cause the skin to lose its smoothness and elasticity. This ‘pull’ creates the dimpled look we call cellulite.
- Fascia Contains Pain Receptors There are more pain receptors in fascia than in muscle. Dehydrated fascia can be painful, and pressing on an adhesion might cause discomfort. If you’ve ever experienced a tender spot just beneath your skin, chances are it’s your fascia crying out for hydration.
- Fascia Talks Our fascia communicates with other structures in the body more efficiently than the nervous system, due to its water-based properties. When fascia becomes dehydrated, this communication breaks down, affecting everything from postural alignment to muscle function, all affecting your skin’s health and appearance.
The fluid matrix moves in precise directions, draining and removing toxins.
The Impact of Aging on Fascia
As we age, several factors contribute to the dehydration and stiffening of fascia in the face:
- Posture: Poor posture can distort the flow of fascia, causing tension and blockages that affect facial skin.
- Toxins in Makeup: Many beauty and makeup products contain chemicals that can dry out and damage the fascia over time.
- Compression: Sleeping positions or facial expressions that compress the skin can contribute to dehydrated fascia.
- Gravity: Over time, gravity pulls on the face, leading to sagging skin, and fluid build-up.
So, how do we combat the effects of aging fascia and restore our youthful glow?
Fascia Care for Youthful Skin
While there’s no fountain of youth in a jar, there are simple and effective strategies you can use to hydrate and rejuvenate your fascia.
- Hydrate and Reinvigorate To restore your fascia’s suppleness, you need to rehydrate and break up any adhesions (those sticky, hardened spots in the fascia). Gently massaging and moving the fascia allows fluids to flow, bringing hydration to the skin and breaking up any stuck tissue.
- Improve Circulation and Oxygen Flow To maintain youthful skin, it’s crucial to improve blood and oxygen flow to your skin cells. This can be done through fascia-focused exercises that enhance circulation and support detoxification.
- Move Stagnation Out Stagnation in the fascia can lead to puffiness and other skin issues. By introducing movement, hydration, and gentle pressure, you can help remove waste and restore balance to your skin.
Fascia Care Techniques for Your Aging Skin
Here are a few effective fascia care techniques and programs to consider incorporating into your routine:
- MELT Method The MELT Method is a gentle self-care technique that uses small balls and soft foam rollers to hydrate dehydrated fascia. This method is perfect for the face and can be done at home with minimal equipment. As a certified MELT Method instructor, I personally recommend it for restoring fluidity and health to the fascia of the face.
- Block Therapy Block Therapy uses a hard wooden block combined with breathwork to decompress and rehydrate stuck fascia. They offer specialized tools, including a wooden face paddle, to address facial fascia specifically. Check out their programs for a detailed approach to fascia care. Block Therapy Sampler Program
- Manual Fascia Programs include hands-on self-care techniques to restore hydration to the fascia. Anastasia, of Beauty Fascia is a board-certified structural integration practitioner who offers online fascia face transformation classes. These classes focus on advanced fascia techniques for rejuvenating your face and returning a youthful glow. Beauty Fascia Classes
- Human Garage The team from the popular Venice Beach clinic now have their powerful fascial manoevres and classes online at www.HumanGarage.net. Thier unique approach includes DIY for a full body fascia reset plus fine-tuning the head, neck and face.
- Facial Cupping uses specialized cups to generate gentle suction on the skin, creating a vacuum effect that draws fresh, clean fluid into the fascia and encourages the draining of stagnant fluid. Cups come in various sizes and suction strength including specific ones for the delicate area of the face (Shop the Story below).
Final Thoughts on Fascia
As we age, our skin faces inevitable changes, but much of this can be attributed to dehydrated and underperforming fascia. By incorporating fascia care into your routine, you can support your skin’s health, restore its natural glow, and combat the effects of aging without relying on topical creams. Embrace the power of fascia, and discover a whole new approach to skincare.
Now, it’s time to skip the skin cream aisle and head to the fascia tool section—you’ll be amazed at how these simple techniques can transform your skin.
-Shari
TalkBack
Sometimes the results of fascia techniques are instant. Is there a fascia tool or technique that gave you an instant glow up?
Shop the Story for Fascia Skincare Tools
MELT Method Foot, Hand & Face Therapy Balls
MELT small, soft and textured balls are designed for gripping and compressing the fascia and they work especially well to access the fascia of the face.
Block Therapy Block Buddy
Made of Elm wood, which has a similar consistency to bone, this beautiful fascia tool is amazing for fascia decompression and includes a 9 module fascia decompression starter program.
Lure Essentials Cupping System
These silicone cups deliver just the right suction and control, hydrating the fascia in the delicate skin and eye area. They are also free from BPA, BPS, phthalates, PVC, latex, and other harmful fillers.
” I love to use my silicone cups in the sauna when my fascia is warm!”- Shari
I started pumping iron and drinking green smoothies in my teens. Now a 40+ mama with 25 years of experience working in the fitness industry, I do things differently. What I discovered during my personal healing journey made me pivot in my approach as a personal fitness and wellness coach. Now I teach people how to sweat, nourish and glow from an entirely new perspective.