Custom Ayurvedic Facial

Mukhalepam

Mukhalepam is one of the most beneficial Ayurvedic treatments for the skin. The mixing of the herbs will leave the skin smooth, fresh and relieved of any acne and blemishes.

Abhyanga

Abhyanga is a massage based on knowledge of the body’s marma points. These are vital points of the body where muscles, nerves, blood vessels, joints, ligaments and bones meet. Abhyanga is a potent Ayurvedic skin restorative massage that nurtures the skin and makes it look clear, radiant and youthful. Ayurveda identifies seven vital tissues that provide nourishment, growth and structure to the entire body. These tissue layers, called dhatus, are strikingly similar to the major tissues identified by modern science. Ayurveda expands upon modern interpretation, however, by also including tissues in liquid form.

The seven dhatus are:

1. Plasma (Rasa)
2. Blood (Rakta)
3. Muscle (Mamsa)
4. Fat (Meda)
5. Bone (Asthi)
6. Bone marrow and nerve (Majja)
7. Reproductive fluid (Shukra)

The combination of these two treatments brings up a new technique and an amazing facial massage.

Cleansing and purifying

Different combinations of herbs are blended to cleanse and purify the skin. The benefits of working with various fresh herbs are that you can be as creative as you want and customize the facial to meet the client’s immediate request. For a more authentic treatment, work with traditional Indian herbs such as Ayurveda sweet flag and licorice as they keep skin young and have antimicrobial properties. Lodhra, the bark of the tree, has a cooling effect and is a mild astringent. The herb is an antimicrobial agent as it inhibits the growth of E. coli and staphylococci bacteria.

Herbal packs can be used with great results for pimples, scars and other skin problems. They are usually made of orange oil, neem, lemon oil, rosewater, bentonite clay and sandalwood oil, and help remove impurities and toxins from the skin. Neem has antibacterial properties and helps to prevent acne. Rosewater soothes the skin, and lemon and orange oil are good astringents.

Clove and ashwagandha are very effective in treating pimples and scars, and are suitable for clients with oily skin. Clove helps in smoothing and purifying the skin. Clove oil is naturally extracted from cloves and also has shown some promise as a pimple fighter. Clove oil contains a substance called eugenol, which has antibacterial properties, clears cystic acne, reduces swelling and kills infection. It has a pleasant smell, but is very potent.

The mixture of these herbs imparts anti-inflammatory benefits and exposes the skin to antioxidants that fight against free radicals and prevent damage to the body’s cells. These herbs have a medicinal effect on the skin. With a variety of assorted treatments, a therapist can customize an herbal mask or pack for each skin type.

Ashwagandha is found in India and it is a powerful root that has an earthy aroma, which often mimics the smell of a horse. This root vitalizes the body and provides strength to a weakened immune system. In addition, ashwagandha provides the following benefits:

• Works in suppressing pain.
• Possesses an anti-inflammatory substance that helps reduce swelling and restores blood supply.
• Heals skin.
• Prevents early aging.
• Provides youthful benefits.
• Possesses antioxidant properties.
• Tames tension headaches.
• Stimulates the immune system cells.

Additional healing ingredients that reduce puffiness, inflammation, irritation, clogged pores, allergies and other skin problems will need to either be boiled or steamed for maximum efficacy. Many therapists roll the herbs for moxibustion therapy and work over each meridian point for additional benefits.

The key herbs to blend and create masks and packs are:

• Racemosa
• Glycyrrhiza
• Glabra
• Acorus
• Calamus
• Acai
• Charcoal powder
• Alfalfa leaf
• Allspice ground
• Bamboo green rice
• Barberry bark
• Barley grass powder
• Basil leaf paprika
• Calamus root
• Calendula petals
• Camu berry
• Cat’s claw bark powder
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Basil

These herbs have a medicinal effect on the skin. With a variety of assorted treatments, a therapist can customize an herbal mask/pack for each skin type.

Mukhalepam

Mukhalepam is one of the most beneficial Ayurvedic treatments for the skin. The mixing of these herbs leaves the skin smooth, fresh and relieved of any acne or blemishes.

The following are oils used in mukhalepam:

• Almond oil
• Aloe butter
• Apricot kernel oil
• Argan oil
• Avocado oil
• Calendula oil
• Sweet almond
• White camellia seed oil
• Grapeseed oil
• Jojoba oil
• Lanolin
• Neem oil
• Rosehip seed

Application of ingredients in mukhalepam according to skin type

Oily to dry skin: Aloe butter All skin types: Almond oil, apricot kernel oil, jojoba oil 

Combination skin: Argan oil Sensitive skin: Avocado oil, rosehip seed oil 

Sensitive/dry/dehydrated skin: Calendula oil 

Dry skin: Sweet almond, lanolin 

Oily skin: Grapeseed oil 

Acne skin: Neem oil 

Aging/mature skin: White camellia seed oil

Benefits of Abhyanga massage

• Imparts softness, strength and color to the skin
• Decreases the effects of aging
• Nourishes the body and face
• Benefits sleep patterns
• Imparts a firmness to the limbs
• Stimulates internal organs of the body
• Removes facial wrinkles

In addition, the combined effects of Abhyanga and Mukhalepam provide a total relaxation experience for the muscles of the face and body, bringing elasticity and preventing wrinkles.

The Mukhabhyanga treatment:

• Relieves stress
• Helps insomnia
• Improves well-being
• Rejuvenates
• Diminishes pimples
• Helps hyperpigmentation
• Reduces swelling
• Reduces pain
• Alleviates skin infections due to acne problems

Step by step

1. 1Exfoliate face with silk gloves.
2. Apply an herbal cleansing liquid.
3. Polish the skin with scrub (made of herbs).
4. Apply mask (made of herbs).
5. Apply hot stones on neck, feet, hands and solar plexus (to relax client).
6. Remove mask.
7. Apply almond oil and massage face.
8. Remove oil.
9. Tone the skin with herbs toner.

The first step is to exfoliate the face with silk gloves, in order to remove the dead cells attached on the skin, followed by a cleansing herbal liquid made of pure natural herbs. It is going to penetrate the skin and cleanse at the same time the toxins that are on the skin. The polish we used removes any excess remaining dead cells (Keratinocytes) leaving the skin smooth and fresh for the massage. Applying the mask, which is made with antiseptic herbs, the skin now is ready to benourished and revitalized. Leaving the mask on for at least 20 minutes, we followed with hot stones on the neck, hands, feet and solar plexus. This is to relax the customer and at the same time to release tension and work on some pressure points. Some special oils are used for the massage. After 20 minutes, we continue to remove the mask with warm water, followed by an Abhyanga massage with almond oil to relieve stress, rejuvenate and help on skin infections. We remove the oil with lukewarm water and soft towels and apply an herbal toner.

Special oils used:

• Almond oil
• Sesame oil
• Coconut oil