Self Lymphatic Eye Massage for Puffiness

What's that?
This SELF manual lymphatic drainage massage uses gentle, rhythmic circular motions to manipulate the lymphatic system in order to detoxify and remove waste from the body more quickly. As it relates to your eyes, it removes excess lymphatic fluid that can pool excessively around the eyes and create puffiness or bags. Gentle stimulation is often needed because the lymphatic system lacks a pump. (ie. circulatory system has the heart to pump blood)

Really, detoxify?
Well, the lymphatic system removes water, waste and congestion that could otherwise build up and result in edema, swelling due to stagnant lymphatic fluid. The lymphatic system is, in part, a waste removal system so when you are doing lymph massage you're basically taking your eye bags to the trash! ;)

I've never heard of the lymphatic system, where's it at?
The initial lymphatics are located just underneath the skin. They are only one cell thick, so gentle pressure is key. When you stretch your skin with this massage (or with anything, like walking or yoga) you are creating an opening in the superficial lymphatics that allows fluid to enter the vessels. The lymph vessels are similar to the digestive system and self propel throughout the rest of the system. So gently stretch your skin and your work is done!

So, that's all?
In addition to this self lymphatic massage I recommend using a corrective eye product for eye puffiness. If you do not notice results in 3 months, you may want to consult with a doctor about getting a medical procedure like a blepharoplasty or dermal filler. Here are my favorite eye products for puffiness and bags:

Epicuren Eye Alive Serum
(This one is nice if you do not like eye cream. It is a light weight serum you can use alone or underneath an eye cream you might already be in love with. Win win!)
Eminence Cucumber Eye Gel
(This one is nice and light weight, my clients love it!)
Babor Ultimate Perfecting Eye Cream
(This one tackles everything including eye puffiness. It really is the end all be all eye cream. It is definitely a luxury, but worth every penny!)

I recommend doing this self lymphatic eye massage whenever you can. Daily or even just a few times a week. This is an abbreviated version and only recommended on skin that does not have any contraindications. If you have any of the following conditions please see your doctor before trying this massage: recent surgery or injury, active cancer, open wounds, rashes, inflamed skin conditions, fever or infection, heart kidney or liver diseases, asthma, severe allergies, hyperthyroidism and phlebitis.

Thanks for reading! If you have any questions, comments or requests, please feel free to leave them below.

Anesia Overlund
Licensed Esthetician
Certified Medical Aesthetician
AnesiaOverlund@gmail.com

5 Skincare tips for Men

 
TIP # 1.      Keep it simple.

A 10 step skincare routine is not necessary. I recommend looking for products with multiple purposes. For example, a cleanser that exfoliates or a moisturizer with sunscreen formulated into it. 2 in 1, easy! Also, a basic skincare routine is as follows:

AM
1. Use a facial cleanser
2. Apply any corrective products (eye cream for lines, pore reducing serum, anything targeted)
3. Apply moisturizer with SPF

POST WORKOUT (this is important not to skip!)
1. Use a facial cleanser
2. Apply moisturizer with SPF

PM
1. Use a facial cleanser
2. Apply corrective products (yes again :) )
3. Apply a corrective moisturizer

WEEKLY
1. Exfoliate (even if your cleanser says it exfoliates, it's just a cleanser. While it is helpful to have a cleanser that gently exfoliates, our skin still needs a stronger exfoliation 1 to 2 times a week.)

Essentially, it's cleanse, correct, protect. 


TIP # 2.     Solve a problem, or 3.

Okay, so you might be wondering, what are corrective products? For any problem you are encountering with your skin there is a highly concentrated serum or cream to correct it. I recommend looking for skincare products based on how your skin is presenting instead of picking up a generic men's skincare product that may or may not be correct for your skin type or condition. Here are some common problems and solutions:

Ingrown hairs -----> salicylic acid, using shaving cream, regular exfoliation (2x wk), shaving gently

Large pores -----> glycolic acid, pore refining serum, facials (in addition to basic skincare routine)

Lines around the eyes -----> eye serum / gel / cream, SPF, ingredients to look for: hyaluronic acid & peptides

Dark circles under the eyes -----> eye serum / cream, ingredients to look for: horsechestnut extract, vitamin pp or any microcirculator

Dark spots / hyperpigmentation -----> serums / creams, ingredients to look for: vitamin C, licorice root, bearberry extract, hydroquinone

Dehydrated, flaking skin -----> hydrating serum, moisturizer ingredient to look for: hyaluronic acid

Dry skin, small pores -----> rich moisturizer, ingredients to look for: oils, fats and lipids

Oily skin -----> oil control serums, matte moisturizers and SPF


TIP # 3.     Look for gender neutral lines.

A lot of skincare lines are unfortunately geared towards women. But we all have skin, right? My male clients appreciate the gender neutral lines we carry, Epicuren Skincare and Eminence Organic Skincare. There aren't any overwhelming floral fragrances or dyed blue or green colored creams. Just effective, conveniently packaged products. Here are a few of my favorites:

Eminence:
Red Currant Line (full line)
Stone Crop Line (full line)
Pumpkin & Yam Enzyme Peel (exfoliant, 1-2x week)
Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant (exfoliant, 1-2x week)


Epicuren:
Cleansers (pair well with the Clarisonic facial cleansing brush)
At home Glycolic Peel (exfoliant, 2-3x week)
Moisture surge hyaluronic acid gel
Facial moisturizer
Body moisturizers


TIP # 4.     See a professional.

Are your nose hairs getting longer? Are your eyebrows becoming unruly? Do you feel like your black heads are becoming larger? Well, that's what I'm here for. In a facial we do all of the steps you would at home, but add in a few things that you can't, and shouldn't do at home.

A lot of my male clients ask me to focus on removing blackheads, which makes your skin look amazing instantly and makes it a lot easier to work on reducing the pore size at home with serums. Also, grooming brows and stray hairs is a quick and easy add on to any facial.

I recommend getting into the spa for a facial every 4-6 weeks, but at the bare minimum every season. That way we can take a look at your skin and help guide you towards the most effective home care routine for your skin as it changes during the season and in response to your current skin care routine.


TIP # 5.     Maybe Makeup?

I saved this one for last just in case I might lose you right away with this one, but hear me out. We all have skin and hair and go through a lot of the same problems. Here are a few things makeup can help a gentlemen with:

Sun protection, alternative to SPF cream ----->  Apply a light wash of matte mineral powder.

Receding hair line -----> Apply an eyeshadow / eye brow powder in a shade matching your haircolor to your hair line fading back into the hair.

Dark circles under eyes -----> Apply a matching concealer under the eye and feather outwards.

Light eyebrow pigment -----> Apply an eyeshadow or eye brow powder in a shade 1 to 2 shades darker than your eye brow hair, brush through to soften.

Strongly protruding adam's apple -----> Apply a matte contour to the center of the adams apple and a highlighter color around it. Blend both and apply a matte powder over them to set.

Uneven pigmentation / dark spots -----> Apply a light wash of matte mineral powder.

Large pores -----> Apply a facial primer to smooth over pores or skin imperfections and follow with a light wash of matte mineral powder.

Now not all of these might be an everyday thing for you but they are an option and are nice to know about. A lot of my male clients get a facial before a speaking engagement, important meeting or for an event they might be photographed or recorded for. If you want to enhance yourself before an event, these are the way to go.


Thank you for making it all the way through my first blog post! If you have any questions or requests please leave them in the comments and I'll be sure to respond to you ASAP. Keep posted, more to come...

Anesia Overlund
Licensed Esthetician
Certified Medical Aesthetician
For inquiries contact anesiaoverlund@gmail.com