Ayurvedic Facial Therapy

In today’s world, people tend to become stressed due to busy life. Certain factors such as prolonged exposure to the sun, pollutants, chemicals, etc. can have some harsh effects on our skin. Skin infections, inflammation, and other disorders can also affect the skin badly. Skin plays a vital role in protecting the internal organs from the external environment. Therefore, it is very important to take good care of your skin health. Skin infections should be taken seriously as most of them indicate systemic infection and some can even be fatal.

Ayurvedic facial therapy is a natural beauty treatment for a healthy and glowing skin. It includes a face massage using herbal oil and creams based on natural ingredients and Ayurvedic herbs. In some specific cases, a steam or scrub or an herbal face pack will be added based on individual needs. An Ayurvedic facial therapy will leave you feeling more relaxed, energised and balanced, as well as tightening the skin, removing toxins and impurities. Thus, improving your overall well-being.

Having a regular Ayurvedic face massage, not only gives you a beautiful face but it will likely delay skin aging, prevents acne, reduces suntan and formation of dark circles around eyes. It also helps the regeneration of damaged skin and uplifts the saggy skin. As all ingredients of Ayurvedic facials are completely organic and natural, there is no risk of any harm to the skin or any side-effects. It removes signs of aging such as wrinkles and fine lines. It helps to maintain natural skin elasticity. Also, it cures allergic reactions like itching, dry, scaly skin, and blisters. Ayurveda specifies marmas (Ayurvedic acupressure points) and many small sensitive pressure points in the face. Massaging there in a positive way can trigger the positive energy in the body and mind.

An Ayurvedic facial treatment can be done at home. While a DIY skin care routine is good, it is always recommended to get this done under guidance of an Ayurvedic practitioner.

Ayurveda has three broad classes of mukhalepa based on individual dosha constitution as described below.

Vata balancing facial therapy

This Nourishing mukhalepa is recommended for dark, dry, dull and scaly skin.
This nourishing therapy addresses aging, dryness, dehydration, stressed and tired skin. It uses herbal oil massages and ayurvedic herbal face masks.

Pitta Balancing facial therapy

This Detoxifying mukhalepa is recommended for reddish and slightly moist skin with lots of blisters and acne.

This purifying therapy treats toxicity, redness, and sensitivity. The skin is cleansed using cooling and cleansing herbal formulations. The face is cleansed toned and detoxified.

Kapha Balancing facial therapy

This Cleansing mukhalepa is recommended for oily and combination skin and includes steam and a face pack with herbal powders.

Rubbing the face with herbal powders removes the excess oil, opens clogged pores and leaves a natural glow.

Sequence of steps in a mukhalepa are as follows:

• Ayurvedic consultation and Dosha analysis to decide the herbs, their combinations and treatment routine
• Core cleanse
• Oil Massage
• Nourishing Face pack
• Steam and sweating
• Marma Massage or Mukha Abhyanga
• Finishing face pack

Core cleansing is done by facial massage using a herbal paste. Powdered ayurvedic herbs (better if organic) is mixed with honey, milk or rose water to make the paste. The coarse paste has a scrubbing action and it removes the impurities and makeup from facial skin. Massage is for about ten to fifteen minutes. Residue is then washed off with normal water.

After the core cleansing, therapist applies dosha based Ayurvedic oil with fingertips in a circular motion. This massage is continued till the oil gets absorbed into the skin. This gentle oil massage is repeated three times.

In the next stage of facial therapy, a medicated milk cream formulation is applied on the face. Milk is rich in protein and many nourishing ingredients. Practitioner may decide to do this stage with a mixture of herbs such as amla(Indian gooseberry), neem and haldi(turmeric). Amla is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. Amla is the anti-aging drug recommended in Ayurvedic texts. Neem is known for anti-inflammatory properties and is the recommended herb for almost all types of skin problems. Turmeric is antiseptic and is anti-toxic. Turmeric improves skin complexion and has excellent wound healing properties too.

If the condition requires, a steam bath (swedana) is done afterward, covering the eyes with cool soaked cotton. During the steam session, the skin is made to sweat well, resulting in improved blood flow and lymphatic drainage. The pores open and the skin breathes well. Any medicine applied after this session will be absorbed better.

After swedana, a special Ayurvedic marma massage (mukha abhyanga) is done. With dosha compatible medicated ayurvedic oils, a facial massage it is done using fingers and tip of fingers to trigger all the pressure points.

Finally, a herbal face pack is applied all over the face and neck. Eyes are covered with cucumber slices, rose petals, or lotus petals. This pack is washed off after about fifteen to twenty minutes with warm water. Skin is then pat dried with a soft towel and an ayurvedic moisturiser is applied.

A basic DIY facial therapy can be done using items found in your pantry. This therapy can be enhanced a bit by adding ayurvedic herbs as described below.

• For dry, dull and wrinkled skin
  • Mix one tablespoon of almond powder in organic milk to make a thin paste. For added nourishment, you can add ashwagandha powder or brahmi powder along with organic heavy whipping cream and rose essential oil. Massage this mixture all over into your face for two to three minutes and leave it to dry. Wash it off with warm water.
• For rosy, red or slightly oily skin
  • Mash half a banana and mix with organic goat’s milk to make a smooth paste. For added results add a pinch of turmeric powder along with rose or jasmine essential oil. Slather on your face evenly and lie down for 20 minutes. Wash off with normal water.
• For thick and highly oily and moist skin
  • Mash a piece of papaya. Add some honey along with drops of lavender essential oil. Slather on your face. Relax and take some deep breathes, eyes closed. Wash it off after 20 minutes with warm water.

• Removes skins dryness and hydrates the skin
• Healing of acne and other skin rashes
• Removal of suntan, pigmentation or scars
• Nourishes the skin
• Prevents loss of skin elasticity
• Eliminates toxins from the face
• Restores youthful appearance and vitality
• Improved vision and other sense organs
• Strengthens the nervous system
• Stress relief

Like any Ayurvedic treatment, face massage also is dependent on an individual’s body type or dosha. Since each person has a different dosha constitution, for optimal results, one must select the right therapy and the appropriate herbal combination for the therapy.

Thus, for optimum results, it is wise to consult your ayurvedic practitioner for the right kind of facial therapy. During the initial consultation, your Ayurveda practitioner will examine your skin type and will suggest the right treatment type and selection of herbs.