Why does our skin age? What happens in the skin layers when we see wrinkles? To answer these question we need to look deeper into skin’s structure. Skin consists of 2 main layers: epidermis-the outer layer, protecting body against outside world, and dermis-connective tissue that lies directly below epidermis. It is very often that people want to see skin being just perfect; no visible pores, no hair, no wrinkles and no discoloration. It is also treated that way by professionals. Without thinking and analyzing what are the causes of certain skin imperfections, medication is prescribed, harsh chemicals are applied to deeply peel the skin, powerful lasers used to burn the skin layers.

Now, what is the role of the skin? Skin is a complex organ and is responsible for following functions:

Temperature regulation;
Protection;
Waste removal;
Environmental monitor;
Production of vitamin D.

Once we start to understand the important functions of the skin we begin to appreciate how complicated it is and how body’s health, emotional state, age, daily diet, environment, medication and life style have an impact on how the skin looks!

Skin structure. Epidermis is an outer barrier layer and it’s main function is to protect the body. Dermis consists mainly of connective fibers of proteins collagen and elastin. Collagen is a protein that makes up to 70% of connective tissue. In young skin, collagen fibers look like a loose tangle of fibers, and is very flexible. Over time production of collagen starts to decline, and fibers that are left may break apart and develop cross-links that bind together into clutches. That, on the outside, looks like a wrinkle. Also, those fiber tangles prevent stretching, as well as oxygen and nutrient flow.

How to slow down that aging process? We need to brake down these clutches of collagen fibers to improve circulation. Once the lymph and blood circulation is improved, cells receive oxygen and nutrients, which prolongs cell longevity, health and integrity. How do we do that? There are several natural and non-invasive ways: Facial Massage, Exfoliation, Micro-Current, Acupressure, Acupuncture…The choice is yours. Best results are achieved when few methods are used.

Facial massage. Receiving a facial massage feels relaxing and pleasant, but that is not all. It is one of the non-invasive ways of achieving younger looking skin. Massage relaxes the muscles, helps to untangle the fibers in the connective tissue. There are several massage techniques.

Manual Lymphatic drainage technique is perfect for sensitive, inflamed or acneic skin. It promotes lymph flow to clean out toxins out of the tissue. Manual Lymphatic drainage massage movements are very gentle, it should feel relaxing and pleasant. Lymph is just bellow the skin’s surface. Imagine when you lightly bruise the skin and you see colorless liquid. That is lymph. The therapist hand should only move the skin. If the movement involves heavier pressure, it also increases the blood circulation, and it no longer can be called Lymphatic Drainage massage.
Acupressure massage. Acupressure is an ancient Chinese healing method that involves applying pressure to certain meridian points. Acupuncture and Acupressure use the same points, but acupuncture uses needles, while Acupressure uses the gentle but firm pumping pressure. There is a massive amount of scientific data that demonstrates why and how acupuncture and acupressure is effective. It relaxes facial muscle tension, increases blood circulation, relieve stress and tension, relaxes themind, increase blood circulation, aid in the removal of toxic wastes, provide relief from head, neck and shoulder aches, increases energy levels, increases overall feeling of well-being.
Deeply stimulating facial massage. This massage feels both: uplifting and relaxing at the same time. It stimulates the muscles and helps to untangle these fibers in the connective tissue. It improves the oxygen, nutrient flow and delivery. This massage method is excellent for dry and mature skin. Would not be recommended for acne or very sensitive skin.

Exfoliation. Skin layers are renewing all the time. Exfoliating products or professional treatment like Microdermabrasion and Ultrasoundremove the aged skin cells and boost the circulation. It improves product penetration speeds up the rate of skin cells renewal. Limit exfoliation to once a week, or twice a week for thicker skin. Over-exfoliation causes skin irritation, breakouts, red bumps and discoloration.

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can be very effective at treating skin conditions. Treatments can provide quick relief for acute symptoms and can provide significant and lasting relief from recurrent or chronic skin conditions.The skin reflects and reacts to imbalances within the body’s internal landscape and the effects of the environment. Internal dis-harmonies caused by strong emotions, diet, and your constitution as well as environmental influences, such as wind, dryness, dampness, and heat can all contribute to the development of a skin disorder. To keep your skin healthy and beautiful on the outside, you must work on the inside of your body as well. Increasing the flow of energy, blood and lymph circulation improves the skin’s natural healthy color.

Promotion of collagen production increases muscle tone and elasticity helping to firm the skin. Stimulating the formation of body fluids nourishes the skin and encourages it to be moister, softer, smoother and more lustrous.

General skin conditions that can be treated with acupuncture and Oriental medicine include acne, dermatitis, eczema, pruritus, psoriasis, rosacea, shingles and urticaria (hives). Oriental medicine does not recognize skin problems as one particular syndrome. Instead, it aims to treat the specific symptoms that are unique to each individual using a variety of techniques with acupuncture such as herbal medicine, bodywork, lifestyle/dietary recommendations and energetic exercises to restore imbalances found in the body. Therefore, if 10 patients are treated with Oriental medicine for eczema, each patient will receive a unique, customized treatment with different lifestyle and dietary recommendations.

If you suffer from a skin condition or would like to know how to optimize your skin health, or to find out more about how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help you, contact

Dr. Mindy Boxerwww.drmindyboxer.comThank you Dr. Mindy Boxer for her valuable professional input about benefits of Acupressure. Dr. Mindy Boxer brings over 20 years of experience and passion to her practice of Nutrition, Acupuncture and Natural Medicine. Her specialties include: Fertility & Healthy Pregnancy, Women’s Healthcare, PMS, Menopause, Breast Cancer Support, Insomnia, Men’s Health & Vitality, Erectile Dysfunction, Prostate Support, Functional Nutrition, Detox Programs, “Pre-Conception Cleanse,” Anti-Aging, Gastrointestinal disorders, Stress and Anxiety.Dr. Boxer utilizes a Gentle Japanese style Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, and Nutritional & Homeopathic remedies to restore your system to optimal health. She teaches you to tap into your body’s healing capacities, allowing you to take charge of your physical and mental well-being.

Micro-Current Treatments. Micro-current Facial treatment is a natural, non-invasive way to dramatically firm and lift the skin. How does Micro-current work? It stimulates the muscle fibers with low-micro-current impulses to restore proper tone to the facial muscles. Micro-current increases blood circulation by 35%, increases lymphatic drainage, promotes healing for acne, increases collagen elastin productivity by 45%. Benefits are cumulative. Treatment is performed twice a week for a few weeks and then done as a maintenance follow up treatment every 2 or 4 weeks.

The key to success is to be kind to your skin, don’t be too aggressive. It is important to stimulate, exfoliate, hydrate and feed skin with nutrients from inside out and outside in. Be happy, stay healthy, and you will look irresistible!

Reference: “The Face lift massage” by Kundan & Narendra Mehta

To learn more about the benefits of Microdermabrasion, Micro-current, Ultrasound Facials and Facial massage benefits and book a facial visit our “Facials”page or email Drskinhealth@gmail.com, or call 310-264-2228

Diana Ralys LE, COE

Owner and Founder of

Diana Ralys Skin Health