In a world brimming with wellness trends and massage therapies, and with seemingly countless options available, it’s essential to understand what truly sets Curated Skin and Wellness Face Sculpting Massage apart. My innovative approach, developed after many years of industry experience and many, many training courses (including intra-oral (Buccal) massage training by an osteopath in the early 1990s – well before it was a trending massage) not only focuses on relaxation but also emphasises the crucial role of fascia, muscle pliability, tissue elasticity, hydration, vagal tone and supportive supplements. Here’s why this method is unlike anything you will experience anywhere else.

What is Curated Skin and Wellness Sculpting Massage?

CS&W face sculpting massage is a specialised technique that integrates deep tissue work with a focus on the body’s fascia—the connective tissue that surrounds muscles, organs, and nerves while enhancing overall wellness, improving muscle function, and promoting skin health with a truly holistic approach.

Fascia plays a vital role in our body’s movement and structural integrity. It connects and supports all tissues, influencing how muscles function together. When fascia becomes tight or restricted, it can lead to a range of issues, including pain, decreased mobility, and reduced flexibility. This tension creates pressure on muscles, nerves, and joints, leading to discomfort and impaired movement. Tight fascia may also restrict blood flow and lymphatic drainage, resulting in inflammation and further complications. Over time, this can contribute to chronic pain conditions, hinder athletic performance, and negatively impact overall well-being as well as minimising “flow” in the systems that nourish and support facial tissue. The specific way I address fascia restrictions with targeted techniques efficiently releases tension in the fascia. By using specific strokes and pressure, I help restore proper alignment and function to the fascia, leading to less restrictions in the tissue of the face and postural muscles, this not only enhances the appearance of face and skin but also leads to improved movement and reduced pain in supporting musculature and minimising of fibrotic tissue.

Fibrotic tissue occurs when the body’s normal healing process goes awry, leading to the formation of excess, tightened fibrous connective tissue. This often results from chronic inflammation, injury, or repetitive stress. The tissue becomes thickened and less flexible, which can lead to pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion which then means tissues not being nourished, leading to more inflammation and fibrosis resulting from lack of nutrition… and a vicious cycle begins..

As mentioned, several factors can contribute to the development of fibrotic tissue, including:

Chronic Inflammation: Long-term inflammation can trigger the body to produce excess collagen, leading to fibrosis.

Injury: Trauma to an area can result in scar tissue formation, which is often fibrotic.

Repetitive Strain: Continuous stress on muscles and connective tissues can cause them to harden and become fibrotic.

Poor Hydration and Nutrition: Lack of adequate hydration and essential nutrients can impair the healing process, contributing to tissue fibrosis.

While working on fascia, I am also enhancing muscle pliability. Muscle pliability refers to the ability of muscles to stretch and contract effectively. Tight or rigid muscles can contribute to facial structure changes and common expression lines such as “elevenses” between brows and “marionette lines” at the corners of the mouth or the dreaded “tech neck” showing as horizontal banded lines on neck. My  totally personalised massage method focuses on restoring pliability through deep tissue manipulation. By breaking down tight knots and encouraging blood flow, muscles can regain their flexibility, enhancing structural harmony and minimising lines.

By releasing fascia and restoring muscle pliability, I help replenish elasticity in the skin.

Elasticity is crucial for maintaining the health and functionality of skin and muscles. As we age or experience stress, the elasticity of our tissues can decline, leading to stiffness and sagging. CS&W sculpting massage incorporates techniques that stimulate collagen production and improve circulation. This not only helps replenish the skin’s elasticity but also contributes to a more youthful appearance and healthier muscles.

It’s important to remember hydration is essential for maintaining the health of all bodily tissues, as adequate hydration can reduce fibrotic stiffness and promote healing.

Proper hydration helps keep tissues supple and enhances their ability to recover. This doesn’t just mean downing 8 glasses of water by rote each day, I will discuss with you electrolyte and mineral balance as well as your daily movement to ensure hydration is optimised. My massage strongly targets lymphatic drainage and improving blood circulation, which will also improve the body’s hydration status.

In addition, I am looking to improve Vagal tone. The vagus nerve is one of the longest cranial nerves in the body, extending from the brainstem to various organs, including the heart and digestive tract. It plays a crucial role in the autonomic nervous system, influencing the parasympathetic response, which promotes relaxation and recovery.

Vagal tone refers to the activity of the vagus nerve and is an indicator of how well the body can manage stress and promote relaxation. Higher vagal tone is associated with better emotional regulation, reduced stress levels, and improved overall health.

Techniques I employ during CS&W sculpting massage can enhance vagal tone, thereby promoting relaxation, reducing stress and activating the parasympathetic nervous system. The improved Circulation achieved also enhances blood flow which can positively affect heart rate variability, a key indicator of vagal tone.

All of these factors contribute to what I call the concept of  “Fit and Sit” of the muscle and tissue. “Fit and Sit” refers to how well our tissues fit together and how comfortably they rest within our body’s framework. When fascia and muscles are pliable and elastic, they can better perform our facial movements and expressions.

Through a combination of techniques, this massage promotes a harmonious alignment of the body’s structures. As a result, clients often experience improved posture, reduced discomfort, and a greater sense of ease in their everyday movements.

In my opinion – of equal importance is the Mind-Body Connection attained. The focused, intentional nature of the massage fosters mindfulness, which in turn contributes to a more balanced nervous system.

To further enhance benefits of massage, I will invariably task you with (optional!) homework, including what you apply to your skin and some facial exercises you can perform at home to ensure cumulative, long term results. As well as looking at hydration, we may have a conversation around supportive supplements for body well-being such as Quercetin, a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound found in many fruits and vegetables. It has been shown to support the health of connective tissues, including fascia. By reducing inflammation and promoting blood flow, quercetin can aid in the recovery of fibrotic tissue and enhance overall fascia function. Glutathione, another potent antioxidant plays a crucial role in cellular health and detoxification, it helps protect tissues from oxidative stress and supports the healing process. By improving the body’s ability to combat inflammation and regenerate cells, glutathione can contribute to healthier fascia and improved muscle pliability, further Omega 3 fatty acid supplementation and the use of specific probiotics have been described as vagus nerve stimulators.

Curated skin and wellness sculpting massage is not just another face sculpting massage; it’s a transformative approach that addresses the underlying issues of fascia, muscle pliability, tissue elasticity, hydration, and the use of supportive supplements. By focusing on these critical elements, alongside powerful skincare, this massage technique offers unique benefits that go beyond relaxation, promoting overall well-being and vitality.

If you’re seeking a holistic approach to health and wellness, consider trying this innovative massage. Your body—and mind—will thank you!

Bookings are available on www.skinandwellness.co.nz