Rejuvenating facial FOR TENSION RELEASE AND YOUNGER SKIN

Hands up those who feel they have aged over the past few months? Skin looking stressed, dry​ and lined? A rejuvenating facial is the one to book right now; it restores plumpness and lots more besides…

Why so good? 

It works, and yes, it’s an actual technique, not just a tit​le. ‘This is a holistic facial that provides much deeper experience, says a therapist Caroline Josling. Along with refreshing the face and resulting in plumper skin and more radiance, it also delivers deep relaxation’.

What to expect?

A facial that’s different to the norm. The treatment is holistic, so it’s less about applying lots of different creams and more about the manipulation of the skin to stimulate it and unglue it from the tensions beneath, says Caroline. Most find the whole thing deeply relaxing, expect a drifting in and out experience. 

Feels like?

A combo of a gentle but firm facial and a mind-soothing treatment. At 60-75 minutes, it’s long, but it’s so soothing that time flies. As an add-on, therapists often include a shoulder and foot massage. Sheer heaven!

The result?

Devotees love this treatment for its ability to release tension in the face and plump skin for a younger look. The bonus is a relaxed feeling and the letting go of stress.

The cost? 

From £70 for 1 hour plus.

Try it at home

This routine from Caroline takes a little time, but stay with it – the results are​ ​worth it, as it’s a real collagen stimulator! 

1. Clean skin with a cleanser that wipes off with a muslin cloth and warm water, then use an exfoliator followed by toner. 
2. Before the toner dries, apply a moisturising balm or face oil and, with upward and outward movements, lightly pummel the skin with alternate hands, spending most time around the jaw/jowl area, where muscles tend to droop. 
3. Spend a little time making small rotating movements over the muscles​ between the cheekbones and the lower jaw to help release tension.
4. Using both index and middle fingers, spend 5 minutes on the area between​ ​the brows – where the 11 frown lines often show – moving the skin in outward directions for a few minutes, then pinching about 6 times along the brows from the centre outwards. Repeat the pinching several times. 
5. Again, with two hands, using fairly ​vigorous movements , sweep upwards and outwards on the forehead, then use ​small rotations to bring the blood up​ ​to the surface to help smooth furrows.

​TIP

Try pinching along the brows every night for positive lasting effects!

Caroline Josling works from her practice and Neal’s Yard, both in Bath. 

Find similar rejuvenating facials at Neal’s Yard therapy rooms nationwide.

Caroline Josling’s reviews could not be more glowing and there’s little surprise to this as it seems Caroline might just have solved the enigma to youthful skin. Her rejuvanessence facial energy release is an in demand holistic treatment which works on releasing different tissues and muscles around the face. The gentle finger massage treatment lasts for one hour and twenty minutes and is the secret behind skin tone improvement and wrinkle diminishment.

The treatment is set over six sessions and each one concentrates on a specific area of the face. Although signs of lines and wrinkle reduction are normally only effective after several sessions have been undertaken, an immediate feeling of well being and the face is radiant even after the first session.

During her treatment the client simply rests, while Caroline skilfully and gently removes tension from the face. Half way through the session Caroline held a mirror to my face so I was able to see a difference in the sides. There is a subtle softening of the cheeks and jaw, the eye seems wider and skin tone is smoother. After completion the face seems to have relaxed totally, all the tension that you hold has been expelled and there is a definite bloom in the skin.

Caroline is eager to emphasise this holistic treatment is a much deeper experience then just a massage or facial. Not only did I feel that I went into a much heavier relaxation than I’ve done in a massage before but I also came away with a huge sense of wellbeing even after the first session.

So, despite lotions and potions constantly being thrown your way it seems that this could finally be the answer to everlasting youthfulness and Caroline seems the perfect advertisement for this. She not only offers Rejuvanessence facial energy release treatments but also Rejuvanessence training as well, and a selection of enticing other therapies such as pregnancy reflexology and aromatherapy.

And who said one must suffer in order to be beautiful?”

“In an age when Botox, high-frequency facials, and having fat from your derrière injected into your face are commonplace it’s good to know that there are completely holistic approaches to keeping your face (and those of your clients) vibrant.
One of these is Facial Energy Release which I teach in my Bath practice. It doesn’t promise eternal youth but does revitalise and offer a range of holistic benefits including reduced tension; improved circulation; freedom from grinding teeth, tension headaches and scowling; improved energy and deep relaxation.

This facial therapy follows on from the work of Stanley Rosenburg, an American acting teacher, cranial and body worker. It was developed further and brought to England, under the name Rejuvanessence®, by nurse and psycho-therapist Margareta Loughran, with whom I worked for many years. Following on from their work and adding some modifications of my own, I have developed Facial Energy Release (FER).

FER works on meridian lines and reflex points, restoring the natural flow of energy, balancing and revitalising body, mind and spirit. It also helps to release the set expressions that many of us show on our faces such as anger, disgust, or shock. These are often emotions from experiences way back in our past for which we are still carrying the evidence. For many of us there’s a moment when we catch a glimpse of ourselves in the mirror and are shocked to find our disapproving mothers looking back at us!

The technique

The technique works on the fascia and connective tissue (which surrounds all releases the tissue structures ie muscle and bones). It releases the tissue from these structures, thus enabling the circulation and lymph to work more effectively.

Carried out using fingertips only, this face therapy is a very light, hypnotically slow, series of movements that are applied the face, neck and scalp. The connective tissue and muscles are, very gently, encouraged to release, plump up and to become more elastic, diminishing lines and wrinkles. FER is suitable for all age groups (even 18-year-olds are not immune from tension and blockages!).

As well as looking better my clients often say that they have a real sense of wellbeing and feel invigorated, rejuvenated and ready to face any challenge.

Potential benefits

I have found that this therapy can:

• be profoundly relaxing and healing to body, mind and spirit
• release stressful experiences, instilling confidence and empowerment
• release blocked energy by working on reflex points and meridians, easing headaches, jaw and shoulder pain, sinus problems and insomnia
• improve skin tone; restore face’s natural elasticity
• reduce fine lines and wrinkles and firm the jaw line
• create a more youthful, radiant and relaxed appearance
• detoxify the face and lymph
• slow the ageing process

The full treatment comprises six sessions, each working on a separate area of the face, ideally taken once weekly.  However, individual sessions are also very effective. Working on the 91 muscles of the face, neck and scalp FER coaxes the connective tissue to release gently and lovingly with the lightest of touch, softly encouraging the individual muscles to release and, consequently, to plump up, lifting back into their rightful place.

In practice

As a busy aromatherapy and reflexology practitioner – treatments that can often be strenuous and tiring for the therapist -, I have found Facial Energy Release the perfect lighter therapy to go alongside my main therapies.

Perhaps you have individuals in your current client base who would welcome this kind of facial therapy treatment? If so, you could find that offering this therapy is a useful way to broaden your practice and attract new clients.”

“In my recent yogic travels on the path to holiness, I encountered REJUVANESSENCE®, an holistic non-surgical facelift. A form of facial massage, it’s been nicknamed the ‘angel’s touch’ and really is how I imagine it would feel to have your face softly ironed by the fingertips of your favourite seraph.

‘Your skin is in several layers and the connective tissue can dry out over the years. Gentle stretching pulls water back into it and makes it plump, soft and moveable leaving your face more alive, responsive and vibrant.’ It literally unglues your skin’s layers and releases your face’s tightened muscles. So I went to the lovely, calm and soothing Caroline Josling at London’s Life Centre. She did one half of my face first then let me look in the mirror. The difference was instant. The massaged half was plumped up and fresh-looking, and by the end of the hour, I not only looked alive and glowing but I felt it too.

Rejuvanessence® is a ‘fingertip facelift’ that involves a unique, gentle massage technique that’s a little like acupressure or reflexology for the face. The releasing of pent-up stress relaxes lines and takes years off your looks – in just an hour and a half. Don’t be surprised if you drift off…”

** MUST-HAVE TREATMENT **

“How does it work?

Over six one-hour sessions therapists work on different groups of connective tissue and muscles which, often as a result of stress, are suffering from a lack of oxygen and blood flow to the skin cells. The skin becomes lacklustre as a result and, over time, the face becomes drawn and tight, and lines form. By massaging connective tissue that encases the muscles, you create space for them to relax. Frankly you only have to look at the Rejuvanessence® therapists – who appear at least 20 years younger than their age – to be convinced.

Wrinkle Rating: 8/10

I didn’t emerge wrinkle-free but after an hour I was relaxed and my skin looked plumper and softer. I also have light scarring on my face, which was less noticeable. A great holistic alternative to Botox.

Prices vary. Expect to pay £50 – £60 per hour.”

“Caroline works wonders with Rejuvanessence®. It’s a completely natural solution for those who want to avoid chemicals and machines. A precise and wonderfully relaxing massage.”

“Developed by a former nurse, this superbly relaxing facial takes the form of a gentle fingertip massage to release tension in the 91 muscles of the face, neck, skull and shoulders.

It works on the theory that by relaxing tightened muscles and working on the connective tissue, it gently lifts your face and improves your skin tone. It also releases blocked energy through the work on acupuncture points and meridian lines, which helps to detoxify the body.

Therapist Caroline Josling encourages you to drift off to sleep while the facial takes place as it allows your muscles to relax properly, and believe me you won’t have much trouble trying. Within minutes of delicate kneading and prodding I was having trouble staying awake long enough to be able to review the treatment properly.

Caroline, who also uses reiki and cranio-sacral therapy during the massage, explained that the skin is made up of two layers – the epidermis and the dermis, or connective tissue beneath the visable skin. Problems arise when tension cause a decrease in the flow of oxygen and blood to the skin cells in the dermis, so the main aim of the massage is to gently release the tension, freeing the connective tissue to restore skin tone and bring a bloom back to your face.

A course of six treatments is recommended but my face looked visably more relaxed and less crumpled after just one. What’s more, because of all the other techniques Caroline incorporates into the treatment I felt thoroughly refreshed and revitalised – inside and out. This is the perfect holistic alternative to Botox – I’ll certainly be going back for more.

How does it feel?

“Our tester, Liz Smith, 46, from london isn’t a facial fan. “I suddenly realised that my face was looking “my age”. I don’t really like facials, but I did enjoy this. I was expecting deep massage, but I got very light, concentrated fingertip movements. Caroline, my therapist, worked on half my face, then told me to look in the mirror. Surprise! There was a marked effect – the treated side looking plumped and healthy.”

How was it for you?  ‘I’m a terrible sceptic’, says Liz,  ‘but I loved it. I looked less tense, lines seemed softer and skin definitely lifted, especially around the jawline. It works and it’s so relaxing. Plus, I’ve discovered that a friend with great skin has been having a course on the quiet.’

Liz had her massage with Caroline Josling, an Advanced Rejuvanessence® Practitioner.”

“Hands-on Experience.

Rejuvanessence® Fingertip Facelift.
(now called Facial Energy Release)
A unique massage technique stimulates facial acupuncture points and meridian energy lines, releases blocked energy and frees up tense facial tissues.

Skin is less softened, relaxed and radiant.”