Hello Beautiful!
Now that September is in full swing, kids are back in school and things are picking up at work to make up for the slower summer season. It seems like since Labor Day everyone has been so busy trying to make up for (well-deserved!) lazy summer days. However, I’ve noticed that these factors have impacted the amount of sleep many of those around me are getting. I, for one, know that if I skimp on my beauty rest, it shows on my face. I tend to look puffier, swollen, and just generally tired, with dark circles under my eyes to boot. This is a shared experience that many of my clients have, coming to me to help them look rejuvenated and well rested, and to keep puffiness and dark circles at bay. Today, I wanted to share my best tips and tricks for eliminating puffiness and preserving that relaxed “I just got back from vacation” look.
As many of you know, I incorporate Traditional Chinese Medicine techniques and philosophy into my practice, which always tends to treat the person as a whole, rather than focusing only on the symptom at hand. That’s why I’d like to start with discussing the contributing factors of puffiness and how to prevent it from occurring from the inside out. Looking tired and puffy is often caused by not getting enough sleep. It’s recommended to try to clock seven to nine hours each night, but I do best when I get a solid eight hours of shuteye. This means that I often hit the hay on the earlier side to make sure I can get my rest, which can be difficult to do at times. However, making sleep a priority not only benefits your appearance, but also allows your whole body to function optimally so that you can be the most healthy, vibrant version of yourself. Another contributing factor is consuming too much salt, which makes the body retain water, creating the appearance of puffiness. If you can’t go without salting your food, I highly recommend switching from regular iodized salt to pink Himalayan salt, which is considered to be the most pure form of salt on the planet. In addition, drinking at least eight glasses of water each and every day helps to flush out toxins and keep puffiness at bay. If you struggle with drinking plain water, I suggest my DIY Spa Water that incorporates cucumber, lemon, and mint into the water for a more flavorful (and detoxifying) beverage!
Now that we’ve discussed the preventative steps for eliminating puffiness, I’d love to give you some tips on how you can eradicate puffiness in the moment. It’s never fun to wake up looking puffy and inflamed, but if you work from the inside out, you’ll be able to make routine puffiness a thing of the past. Lymphatic drainage is a great way to drain extra fluid from your face, ultimately leaving you looking healthy and glowing instead of puffy. What I love about lymphatic drainage is that it’s accessible to everyone to do at home on a regular basis. I personally prefer to use a tool to help get things moving, as performing manual lymphatic drainage on your own face can be more difficult for those new to the technique. I highly recommend purchasing a jade roller or Gua Sha tool, such as my Rose Quartz Gua Sha Tool, to remove the stagnant fluid and get glowing. For a full tutorial on how to perform the technique with a Jade Roller, click here. If you prefer to use a Gua Sha tool, I highly recommend using an antioxidant-rich facial serum, such as my best-selling Black Currant Serum to provide your skin with the necessary lubrication for performing the technique. The full tutorial for performing Gua Sha can be found here.
Finally, if you’re local to the New York City area, I highly recommend coming in for a Sculpt & Empower Facial Treatment with me at my skincare studio located on Fifth Avenue. This treatment utilizes microcurrent technology, which helps to lift and tone the facial muscles, while contouring the jawline and diminishing wrinkles. While this treatment is usually touted for the amazing anti-aging effects it has, microcurrent can also actually drain out the excess water beneath your skin, leaving you looking less puffy and healthier. This treatment boasts quick results and is the most effective at relieving puffiness immediately.
Did you know that lifestyle habits, such as the amount of sleep you get or water you consume, contribute to facial puffiness? Have you tried incorporating lymphatic drainage into your routine to combat feeling puffy and inflamed? Feel free to try out my suggestions for eradicating puffiness and looking well rested and rejuvenated year round!
I would like to thank you so much for reading and so generously sharing! It’s always wonderful sharing these fabulous tips with you all!
With all my love,
Cecilia