What vascular condition can an esthetician help with?

Your skin relies on a steady supply of oxygenated blood and nutrients to function properly which is why your circulatory system is so important. An intricate network of blood vessels and capillaries, your cutaneous circulation system helps to provide your skin with oxygen-rich blood and nutrients. It also helps to transport carbon dioxide and other waste products away from your skin, preventing a build-up of toxins! 

Surprisingly though, your skin actually doesn’t require as much blood as other areas of your body – in fact it’s estimated that it needs only 1.7% of the blood flow from the heart1 and this is possible because your skin isn’t as metabolically active as other areas of your body. However, this 1.7% really does matter as not only do you need the nutrients, you also need a healthy blood supply to help regulate your core body temperature!

You see, your skin plays a big role when it comes to cooling your body down which makes sense when you think about it.  When the hypothalamus, the area of your brain responsible for regulating your temperature, detects that your body temperature is rising, it will cause the capillaries in your skin to relax. This then increases the flow of blood to your skin which subsequently affects how much heat is lost as sweat is evaporated. 

Having a healthy circulation system ensures that your skin can play its part in this mechanism, however, what if your circulation system isn’t operating at 100%? How can this affect your skin? 

How does poor circulation affect your skin?

Your circulation can be affected by a variety of factors; some of them may arise from common problems such as anaemia whereas others can be more serious, such as elevated cholesterol levels. No matter the underlying cause though, the integrity of your skin is bound to be affected which is why below I’ve highlighted a few recurring symptoms that may be problematic if you have poor circulation.

Your natural complexion may change – If your skin isn’t getting the oxygen and nutrients that it needs to thrive then you may notice a few changes start happening when it comes to your complexion. If your blood lacks oxygen it can cause skin discolouration which is why those that suffer from anaemia, often notice that their skin becomes paler and sallower. 

You may become more prone to spots – Spots often appear if your skin isn’t getting the nutrients it needs, however, poor circulation has another additional problem. If your body isn’t able to transport enough oxygen-rich blood to your skin then that means that, by the same token, it also won’t be taking the waste products away as efficiently, which can result in a build-up of toxins. 

You will experience more flare-ups – If you suffer from a skin condition such as eczema, then you may notice that your skin becomes more susceptible to flare-ups. This could be for a number of reasons for example, if all those waste products are building up, your skin may be more vulnerable to inflammation, a major eczema trigger. It also doesn’t help that if your skin’s not getting an adequate supply of blood, it may struggle to remain sufficiently hydrated, contributing to skin problems such as dry skin.

You won’t be able to ward off free-radical molecules – Free radical molecules are a huge cause of premature ageing which is why your skin needs a healthy amount of antioxidants, particularly as you age. If your skin isn’t getting this supply, then it won’t be able to effectively counter the free-radicals or the damage that they inflict. This can result in the increased appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, as well as impacting the overall integrity of your skin.

You may notice dark circles appearing under your eyes - The skin surrounding your eyes  is naturally thin and delicate so, if your capillaries are transporting blood that’s less oxygenated, it can appear as bluish shadows under your eyes.

What can you do to improve your circulation?

Poor blood circulation isn’t good news for your skin so how can you go about improving your circulation? Of course, the answer can depend on what the underlying cause of your circulation problem is, but in circumstances when the cause is minor, there is plenty you can do to boost your circulation.

1 – Don’t smoke

It’s safe to say that by now, most of you will be aware of the health risks involved with smoking. Not only can it cause serious respiratory problems, it can also cause the walls of your arteries to become narrower, hindering how blood is transported to your skin. It’s also worth noting that smoking will deplete your skin’s stores of crucial nutrients, such as vitamin C, and can cause premature ageing!

The good news is that, if you are looking to stop smoking, there is plenty of help out there to aid you along your journey. For more information, please check out NHS’s stop smoking services!

2 – Get your blood pumping

Physical activity is extremely important for getting your blood pumping, which can help to increase your circulation of oxygen-rich blood. It doesn’t need to be anything too intense – you don’t have to start marathon running or hitting the gym for hours at a time. A couple of aerobics classes each week or a gentle, low impact form of exercise such as tai chi can be just as beneficial.

3 – Drink plenty of fluids

Drinking plenty of fluids is essential for pretty much every area of your body, including your skin and circulatory system. If you’re not drinking enough water, it can affect how your blood is transported around your body, as well as its volume. However, not all drinks actively help to keep you hydrated – fizzy drinks, caffeine and alcohol can all work to dehydrate your body so it’s best to focus on good, old fashioned plain water!

4- Massage

Massages aren’t just a great way to relax and relieve tension, they can also be a useful way of improving your blood flow and helping your tissues to repair themselves, especially if your circulation problems are localised to a particular area of your body. It’s also a good opportunity to nourish your skin with some nutrient-rich oils, especially if your skin is naturally dry.

5- Get the right balance of nutrients from your diet

Just like your skin, your circulation system relies on a balance of nutrients to function properly. Your diet can provide you with a great chance to support your circulatory system naturally, with nutrients such as vitamin C, being particularly valuable when it comes to maintaining healthy capillaries and blood vessels. If you want to learn more about the types of foods you should be eating, I’d highly recommend checking out our Circulation Advisor Helen’s blog, ’10 superfoods to promote good circulation.’

Are there any herbal remedies that can help?

Diet and lifestyle advice are great ways to support your circulation but are there any herbal remedies that can help? Fortunately, the answer is a resounding ‘yes’ as we have quite a few remedies here at A.Vogel that may help to support your circulatory system.

Let’s start with Ginkgo biloba. This herb is one of the oldest traditional healthcare botanicals

If you’re looking for something a bit more tailored for a specific problem like varicose veins, you might want to try our Venaforce remedy, which contains extracts of freshly harvested horse chestnut seeds. This product may help to relieve the symptoms of varicose veins and can be used in combination with our topical gel, Venagel. 

If you want to learn more about the circulation system, I’d definitely suggest visiting our A.Vogel Talks Circulation section of the site. Not only does our Circulation Advisor Helen go into plenty of detail about different circulatory problems, such as varicose veins, tinnitus and high blood pressure, she also provides an abundance of information and tips to help reduce your symptoms and get your circulation issue under control.

Soothing Rosehip Facial (75 min./$135) at Allyu Spa in Chicago
Treats: Acne, Rosaca

Steps: After gentle cleansing, therapists administer a sulphur-based gommage exfoliant— and, if needed, a mild enzyme peel. They then apply Ilike Organic Skin Care’s Rosehip Serum and Gel Mask for a cooling, firming effect. “This treatment allows extra time for targeted facial massage and/or extractions,” explains spa manager Elizabeth Renard. The service ends with Ilike’s Rosehip Whipped Moisturizer, a top seller in Allyu’s retail area.

Standout Soothers: Renard notes that rosehip is a nutritional powerhouse that’s rich in vitamin C, betacarotene and lycopene. “The Rosehip Gel Mask packs a concentrated dose of antioxidants and a touch of peppermint essential oil to deliver antiaging benefits and instant relief for sensitized skin,” she adds. “For rosacea clients, the rosehip oil’s high levels of vitamin C combined with its vascular benefits lead to a more balanced, fortified complexion within a single treatment.”

Spa-cific Strategy: All of the spa’s 75-minute specialty facials are equally priced, and in-room assessments help therapists determine what’s best for clients at the time of service. This inflammation-calming treatment is immensely popular. “Our estheticians upsell the facial by explaining the aforementioned benefits when clients mention sensitive or irritated skin, but it also books like crazy of its own accord,” says the spa manager.

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Redness Treatment (60 min./$ ) Hydralessence(60min./$ 5) and Fragile Skin Treatment Facial (60 min./$50)  at Vital Touch Spa Salon in La Habra, California
Treats: Psoriasis

Steps: For tough-to-treat psoriasis, owner and esthetician Pilar Kantounias often combines protocols from three treatments depending on the skin’s condition. First, a gentle cleansing is followed by light exfoliation with skin-calming Yon-Ka Paris Gommage 305, after which compresses are applied. The service also employs the reparative, hydrating Masque No. 1, and LED light therapy with ultrasound to assist with deep penetration. Massage is performed with a blend of the brand’s Serum Vital, Creme 83 and Creme 11, followed by a final application of a serum, Creme 83 or Hydra No. 1 Creme for a moisture boost.

Standout Soothers: Kantounias raves that Masque No. 1, utilized for both retail and backbar, relieves dryness overnight. Creme 11 calms skin thanks to arnica, chamomile and horse chestnut, while Serum Vital boasts lactic acids, calendula and vitamins A, C and E. Each product contains Quintessence, proprietary to Yon-Ka Paris, which combines lavender, thyme, geranium, rosemary and cypress oils to fight bacteria and reduce redness.

Spa-cific Strategy: Kantounias encourages clients with psoriasis—or simply sensitive or reactive skin—to try this “amazing treatment,” she says. “Psoriasis can’t be cured, only controlled; but I have a 95 percent success rate and many happy clients who keep coming back—and refer us to their friends.” She also recommends that they see a physician to help them quell their symptoms.

Steps: Utilizing the Repêchage Hydra Medic Line, this service consists of seven steps to treat acne and acneic rosacea. After cleansing with a foaming wash, a serum is applied to affected areas. A series of three masks—the Desincrustation Mask, Sea Mud Perfecting Mask and 3 Part Calming Mask—helps remove impurities and calm the skin; following a mattifying moisturizer, the therapist performs a high frequency treatment for three minutes. “We often see clients who have used aggressive cosmeceuticals and continue to suffer from acne,” says owner Julie Mahoney. “This healing facial and the recommended home care (which includes a face wash, astringent, serum and moisturizer) help reduce the inflammation and dramatically promote healing.”

Standout Soothers: The Hydra Medic line relieves irritated skin with anti-inflammatory ingredients such as an antioxidant tea blend, spirulina, zinc, salicylic acid and the brand’s proprietary Porphyridium Complex, which regulates sebaceous retention and increases hydration.

Spa-cific Strategy: To maximize treatment results, Mahoney addresses her clients’ overall health. “Diet, stress, medications and hormones can cause intrinsic inflammation of the gut, which affects the organs,” she explains. “We educate guests about the role that inflammation plays in acne, and we’ve partnered with a nutritional kinesiologist in order to properly advise them about changes they can make to reduce that response.”

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Depigmentation Treatment (65 min./$165) at KUR Skin Lab in New York City
Treats: Melasma

Steps: This customized service aims to control some of the underlying causes of hyperpigmentation and even out the complexion based on skin type and ethnicity. It typically involves therapeutic masks, treatment serum infusions, retinols and chemical peels. “We tailor peeling solutions to address a wide variety of concerns,” says spa director Kevin Oh. “Alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, trichloroacetic acid and retinoids are strategically formulated to treat conditions such as melasma by exfoliating and lifting pigmentation.”

Standout Soothers: Clients with melasma are advised to use retail products from PCA Skin, including the brand’s Pigment Bar, Pigment Gel and Intensive Brightening Treatment: 0.5% Pure Retinol Night. Actives that prevent melanin production include hydroquinone, kojic acid, licorice extract and arbutin.

Spa-cific Strategy: In addition to encouraging client referrals, KUR markets these services through its website, Google, Yelp and Facebook. The spa uses low-dose, progressive approaches, and clients appreciate the effective, predictable outcomes—without the downtime typically associated with chemical peels. “A common misconception is that more is better, especially when it comes to skincare solutions,” says Oh. “But overly aggressive treatments and products can cause irritation and inflammation, which worsen rather than improve skin disorders.”

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Water Lily Treatment (40 min./$150) at The Salon at Warren in Warren, New Jersey
Treats: Eczema, Psoriasis

Steps: This body wrap service starts with cold compresses followed by an application of the Pevonia Water Lily Mask, which is left on the skin as the client is loosely wrapped in foil. After 20 minutes, the mask is removed with cool cloths and an anti-inflammatory mist is sprayed onto the skin, helping to calm and hydrate. “We treated a bride-to-be once a week, and her skin looked flawless within a month,” says Suzelia Viana, lead esthetician. “We’ve also had clients with issues around the hairline and have successfully targeted just those spots.”

Standout Soothers: The mask contains an anti-inflammatory blend of water lily, green tea and chamomile. The mist boasts rose extract, hyaluronic acid and aloe vera extract to remove heat from the skin while hydrating—ideal for both psoriasis and eczema. And Pevonia After-Sun Soothing Gel (which is sent home with the client as part of the treatment price) offers a lower concentration of hyaluronic acid, water lily, aloe and chamomile for daily at-home care, applied to affected areas on damp post-shower skin.

Spa-cific Strategy: When the Water Lily Treatment was unveiled, the spa highlighted it as a post-sunburn remedy in mass mailers during the summer. But some sunburned clients also showed signs of psoriasis, or knew someone who had the condition, so word of mouth about the calming wrap quickly spread. “We’ve performed the service for other inflammatory conditions and even on pregnant clients to prevent stretch marks,” adds Viana. “This is only one part of a complete treatment plan, however, so we also recommend that clients follow their doctors’ advice, as well as track flare-up triggers, from sun exposure to alcohol consumption. It empowers them, as they’re facing a chronic condition with no known cure.”

VitaSkin Clear Skin Facial (60 min./$ ) at Natural Body International in Atlanta
Treats: Acne

Steps: This treatment incorporates a probiotic cleanser and probiotic mask from Éminence to help remove surface impurities and calm inflamed skin. After the cleanser and mask, the esthetician applies Éminence’s Willow Bark Booster-Serum to subdue irritation, followed by a skin-protecting moisturizer.

Standout Soothers: Director of communications Peter Plishka’s go-tos for blemish-prone clients include the Éminence Clear Skin Probiotic Masque and Clear Skin Targeted Treatment, both for professional use and retail. Ingredients such as calming willow bark and salicylic acid are additional key defenders in the fight against acne.

Spa-cific Strategy: A discounted package of four facials entices guests, but the cold hard facts drive popularity. “We report typical results to clients considering the service: a reduction in number of acne scars, fewer blemishes and less oil production,” details Plishka. “This is what matters to our guests.”

–by Tracy Morin