Holistic Skin Training

A holistic facial is a technique centred facial. It uses ancient Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic skin care techniques and is often called Eastern Botox or Eastern Facelift. Essentially, a holistic facial is a workout for the face. It stimulates facial muscles, encouraging muscle memory and strength while draining stagnant fluid, reducing puffiness, increasing circulation and collagen production. 

Designed to be relaxing, meditational and highly effective, a holistic facial does not include extractions, steaming or exfoliation. Instead, the focus stays on ridding the skin of internal toxins and stressors that create congestion. Each service includes an in depth consultation and is customized to the individual needs of the client. 

Because a holistic facial uses only natural healing remedies, the treatment window between services is very short. Clients can book a facial as frequently as once a week for maximum results and switch to monthly maintenance after 4-6 weeks, depending on their skin care goals. Holistic facials provide the best results when completed routinely, whether weekly, biweekly or monthly. The frequency of the visit will in part determine the length of time to see lasting results.

Yes, you may get a holistic facial during pregnancy. Your skin care specialist will adjust the pressure and intensity of the techniques to ensure safety. Please be sure to advise your skin care specialist of your pregnancy and any specific concerns before your service.

Generally extractions are not included in a holistic facial. The facial is primarily meant to be technique based with the use of the facial tools (kansa wand, facial cups and gua sha). However, if you would like extractions to be a part of your service please contact your skin specialist and we would be happy to customize your facial. 

KEPT. also offers an express extraction facial, please see service menu.

The only skin product applied during a holistic facial is oil used as a deep cleanse and to help the facial tools glide along the skin. Your skin specialist may also use a micellar cleansing water to remove makeup but a holistic facial does not include any masks, scrubs or topical moisturizers.

Yes, we offer a 45 minute men’s facial that includes a hot towel wrap to soften the skin and open pores. Men benefit from the same skin care techniques as women and your skin care specialist will adjust the techniques to work around facial hair.

Gua sha (pronounced gwah-shah) is a healing technique of traditional East Asian medicine. A Gua Sha stone is a smooth-edged tool used in long or short strokes to increase blood flow and remove stagnation. Facial Gua Sha is used to break down tissue blockages and stagnation and release toxins. Gua Sha is used to reduce puffiness due to fluid retention, specifically lymphatic fluid, resulting in improved circulation, detoxification and rejuvenation of skin cells.

Gua Sha can be used to effectively treat the following skin concerns:

-Puffy eyes

-Dark circles

-Sagging skin

-Dull, devitalized skin

-Pigmentation (caused by damaged melanocytes, again, stagnation and/or inflammation)

-Congestion along the jawline and in front of the ear (not full blown acne)

-Congested sinuses

-Weak immune system

If you have any of the following contraindications Gua Sha may not be the best service for you. Please contact your skin specialist for more details.

-Allergic reaction is active/present 

-Broken capillaries 

-Lymphedema

-Botox and fillers 

-Hyperthyroidism 

-Pregnancy 

As a natural healing remedy, gua sha is completely safe. Clients may feel some active draining during or after the service (sinus, lymph) and may notice the need to urinate more frequently or unpleasant body odour following the service. This is normal as the body is releasing toxins drained off the face/body during the service.

Cupping is an alternative therapy that uses suction cups to stimulate the skin and muscles. The suction promotes increased blood circulation, which helps relieve muscle tension, promote cell repair, and aid in other regeneration. The techniques used during facial cupping help to reduce redness, move stagnant lymph, tighten slack skin and give wrinkles a softer appearance. Cupping may actually discourage the formation of new lines as well as regulate oil production, balancing both dry and oily skin types.

Cupping also improves the flow of your “qi” (pronounced “chee”). Qi is a Chinese word meaning life force.

Cupping can be used to effectively treat the following skin concerns:

- fine lines

- dehydration & lacklustre skin

- excessive oil secretion

- congestion

- puffiness

- dark circles

- dryness/dry patches

- breakouts and mild acne (not pustular) 

- redness and sensitivity

- weak immune system

- TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint)

- Bell’s Palsy

- migraines & headaches

- sinus problems

- suppressed immune system

If you have any of the following contraindications facial cupping may not be the best service for you. Please contact your skin specialist for more details.

- sunburn, ruptured skin, ulcerated, inflammation

- history of easily bleeding

- clients that present with extreme exhaustion

- clients who are angry or crying (emotional upset) 

-acute Psoriasis, eczema or rosacea 

-hives, herpes or shingles

Facial cupping should not leave bruises. These marks are generally a result of stationary cupping (generally on the body). Facial cupping involves continuous suction movement and should not leave visible bruising. In some cases, clients may have a small amount of discolouration depending on skin sensitivity and amount of stagnation. Your skin specialist will note those changes in the skin and can adjust the level of suction to avoid this.

As a natural healing remedy, cupping is completely safe. Clients may feel some active draining during or after the service (sinus, lymph) and may notice the need to urinate more frequently or unpleasant body odour following the service. This is normal as the body is releasing toxins drained off the face/body during the service.

‘Kansa’ (pronounced kahn-zah) means bronze - bronze is a combination of copper and tin and is known in India as the healing metal. The Kansa Wand, an Ayurvedic facial massage device, is made of wood and bronze and is designed to balance doshas, align Qi, chakras and the skin’s pH level. Because of the metal’s alkaline properties, the Kansa wand treats the skin on an electro-magnetic level. The result is the pulling and drawing of heat, acidity, inflammation and toxins out of the body.

Kansa works easily and effectively with the body’s subtle electric fields and the piezoelectricity that runs in the collagen layer and fascia. The micro particles of copper also support healthy collagen, resulting in plumper, firmer skin.

The Kansa Wand is used on the marma points, or energy points, of the face, similar to acupressure. This stimulation of blocked or closed marmas can help reduce dryness, congestion, extra oiliness, sensitivities, discolouration.

The Kansa Wand can be used to effectively treat the following skin concerns:

-Gently pulls toxins from the skin by balance the pH

-Helps tone, tighten and firm the skin

-Reduces puffiness, fine lines and redness around the eyes

-Plumps wrinkles

-Helps with congestion in the skin and/or deeper in the face (sinus)

-Gently mobilizes toxins, calms inflammation, redness and heat

-Helps move stagnant lymphatic fluid

-Improves circulation

-Calms the nervous system and the mind

If you have any of the following contraindications kansa may not be the best service for you. Please contact your skin specialist for more details.

-open wounds, sores or stitches

-skin cancer or lymphatic cancer (lymphedema)

As a natural healing remedy, kansa is completely safe. There should be little to no side effects from the kansa wand treatment.