23 Oct 2009 ... Chinese face reading. By Nicola Roberts. Beauty. As iridology suggests the eyes
are the window to the soul, but the whole face can be a map ...
ISLAND CONNECTIONS :: EDITION 602 :: 23/10/2009 - 06/11/2009
Beauty
Chinese face reading By Nicola Roberts
A
s iridology suggests the eyes are the window to the soul, but the whole face can be a map to a person’s general state of health and mental and emotional well being. Through physical study of its appearance and condition, standard beauty salons in the Western world can provide intricate analysis of a client’s skin type and treatment. Ancient Chinese philosophy provides clues to the entire health of the body through the examination of other features, such as skin colour, facial lines and even the shape and design of physical features. In today’s increasingly stressful world, holistic therapies are becoming more and more popular, never has it been so important to receive extra-special care. People are constantly wanting to find out more about themselves and how they function. Chinese face reading is an ancient diagnostic art which is starting to gain an appreciation in the West. It is now becoming more and more popular for beauty therapists who spend a lot of time dealing with facial treatments, and clients who have particular problems regarding their facial skin. These days ever ybody has heard of acupuncture, but traditional Chinese medicine takes much more into account. They say that Western medicine dictates that each organ of the human body stands alone, with medical specialists practising in each different field, while the Chinese see the body as a whole, where each organ is related and connected to another. For example, the lungs and skin, liver and eyes, kidneys and ears, stomach and muscles are all sister organs, and it is the whole being that is treated, not just the symptoms. Normally a trainee beauty therapist is taken through the classical forms of skin diagnosis, involving analysis of lifestyle,
medical history, nutrition and current product usage. This information is usually recorded and then a treatment plan is decided upon. When therapists venture into the holistic therapy world it would then follow that the individual would study Oriental skin diagnosis, and how skin condition is viewed as a reflection of the whole body and its well being. This takes in skin temperature and overall colour, and facial lines and how they might relate to specific body organs. Types of breakouts (spots and/or acne) and their location are also considered important, as changes in skin condition and appearance are viewed as indicators of general body health. A basic understanding of yin and yang is required (yin embodies the female aspect and the moon, yang the male aspect and the sun). This ancient symbol represents the quest for harmony and each represent specific qualities. According also to Chinese medicine everything is linked by meridians or channels which all eventually lead to the head. So the face reflects the state of all the body’s energies. As mentioned in Chinese medicine it is believed a lot can be seen about a person’s general health by looking at the face: If the skin is shiny or dull – if it is dull, the immune system is more likely to be depressed. With acne, one needs to look at where it occurs on the face. For example, spots on the forehead are linked to the heart and lungs, the cheeks relate to the liver and kidneys and the mouth to the stomach and intestines. Breakouts (phases of spots) either side of the mouth can indicate problems with the ovaries and are very common around the time of menstruation. Breakouts usually suggest a more temporary condition. Dark rings under the eyes can suggest problems with the kidneys. Facial lines are also an obvious giveaway: Vertical lines between the eyes can indicate stress or trauma. Generally, deep facial lines suggest a long-term imbalance. Four ways to understanding The Chinese diagnostic process has four aspects to it: looking, listening, asking and touching. Looking This takes in general appearance including the physical shape – which can be likened to animal types in personality readings. Also the person’s manner and their general attitude. Facial colour is noted, along with how fluid and abundant skin secretions (blackheads, open pores and spots) are and where eruptions or lines appear and how these might relate to their corresponding body organs.
Listening Hear how a person sounds! This is beyond the actual words they speak. Coarse, strong breathing or loud, excessive talking indicates excess yang energy which needs cooling. Weak, short breathing, or low voice with little talking, suggests excess yin, which needs heating. Asking This is essential for gathering information and covers such topics as sensations to heat and cold, thirst and appetite, sleep and waking patterns, pain threshold and medical background. Touching Check if skin is cold, hot, dry or moist. Is pain diminished or worsened by massage? By determining the person’s energy type, then the therapist can offer the right kind of treatment.
Facing the evidence A brief insight into Chinese face reading Forehead – linked to digestion. Upper forehead is linked to the bladder, lower forehead to the intestines. Eyebrows – coarse hair of the eyebrows indicates adrenal stress. Over-active adrenal glands are commonly linked with stress. Between the eyes and eyes – linked with liver Eyelid allergies are linked with allergies and lung stress. Under the eyes – linked with the kidneys. May be puffy or darker. It may only be due to a need to increase water intake. Nose – naturally large and open nostrils indicate strong lungs, smaller or flaring nostrils can suggest lung stress, allergies and asthma types. Numerous blackheads and oiliness over the nose can indicate proneness to colds and bronchitis. Redness, broken capillaries and puffiness could indicate allergies, respiratory and sinus problems. Cheeks link to the lung area. Broken capillaries across upper cheeks indicate a tendency to allergies and sinus congestion. A breakout of spots in line with the teeth may indicate sinus or gum inflammation and infection. Mouth – cracking and dr y lips link with stomach/gastric stress. The upper lip links with the stomach, the lower lip with the large intestine. Chin – links with the reproductive organs. Breakouts in this area are often associated with the menstrual cycle.
Nicola Roberts is the owner of Bellissima Hair and Beauty in Los Gigantes, Playa San Juan and San Eugenio Alto. For information or appointments please call 922 867 343, 697 902 361 or 922 719 355. Ever y Saturday, half price massage at Bellissima in Playa San Juan.
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