Who's the Fairest of All?

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Mirror Mirror...

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Why I don't do botox, fillers (and other intriguing injectables), eyebrow threading, eyelash grafting and other 'eternal youth' goodies?

(spoiler: it's not what you think)

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We live in times where literally anyone over the age 40 with a little bit of cash can look half their age if they choose to - without even going 'under the knife'(ouch, a rather scary idea for most of us). Why, no surprise at all here: it's not easy for women (and even some men) to navigate in culture keeps shouting loud that youth=beauty=attractiveness=success=happiness. True, giving respect & admiration to the elders does not exactly feed the economy, while chasing eternal youth keeps the billion dollar industry going strong (I chuckle thinking about certain earth-based cultures where people tried to look older in order to be revered...) Please do not take me wrong: I LOVE beauty. Beauty is an inherent quality of a woman, any woman. Women since times immemorial have tried to enhance their beauty in various ways and probably will always do, that's what makes us women (I myself have a healthy dose of vanity). So, absolutely no judgment to the address of those who've decided to get help 'modern esthetics', simply adding what appears to be missing. In fact, in some walks of life it seems to have become an assumption of appearing well groomed, just like an elegant haircut, tasteful make-up or well maintained nails. I perhaps may be lucky, as my rather feral lifestyle does not require such high maintenance. But I do care. I'm passionate about beauty as an expression of internal health and happiness, and want to feel beautiful from inside out (not just look it). I admit it may be hard sometimes to stand next to an Aesthetically 'improved' sister and having all my imperfections stand out like a sore thumb. I may temporarily shrink under an 'ugly duckling' insecurity, wanting to be swallowed by earth. But then, after the wave of 'not good enough' ebbs I proudly return; emerge tall and confident!

And no, it's not just about my lack of funds, squeamishness about needles, 'white coat' syndrome, or desire to remain 'au naturel' for its own sake because it sounds trendy.

There's something deeper and even practical in supporting my natural beauty passion: a concern about losing perhaps my most reliable diagnostic tool. A tool that may affect about the quality and even q u a n t i t y of my future life. A tool that I like to use to help others and that's slowly becoming 'endangered species'.

Ancient medicines like Ayurveda (my background) and TCM, or even some modern holistic systems see the face as a mirror of an internal health. The quality of blood, the function of vital organs, nutritional deficiencies and hormonal imbalances, toxic load and even unresolved emotional material...all can be read from the face. What's considered as simple 'aging' can be actually energetic stagnation or overload of our internal organs, an imbalance that can be reversed long before turning into pathology. Dark circles under eyes may be a warning sign of anemia, lines on forehead warn about heavy mental presence, under eye bags may speak of liver deficiency or spleen/kidney sluggishness, strong nasolabial folds and heavy jawline show stagnant lymph, marionette lines may indicate weakness in your ovaries (testes), hanging cheeks may tell stories about your stomach, large intestine or gallbladder. Rosacea signifies internal state of inflammation that no laser treatment can take away. Thinning eyebrows reveal low thyroid (thread or glue them you may, but your thyroid won't budge, no way!) alongside thin, cracked lips (lip filler won't make your metabolism go faster). Spikey eyelashes pointing upwards point on certain trace mineral being dangerously low. Hanging eyelids, crows feet, thin lips, hollow temples, 11s between eyebrows...they all speak of particular mineral deficiencies that can be camouflaged or 'eliminated' by botox or dermal fillers from the outside but not replenished within. Some of those minerals are crucial for the health of lymphatic system that is essential for keeping cancer at bay. And let's not forget about the quality of your skin (color, texture) that reflects the microbial quality of your small and large intestines, toxic load or sleep quality. Your 'original' face will tell you even about suppressed emotions you carry. Yup! Anger, fear, grief, sadness...no one can fool me with their happy facade on top (not even myself!).

And oh, let's not forget about hormones, the pesky little creatures: when my estrogen drops rapidly, I age 20 years (for real!) overnight, when it's as its highest, I jump back in time. Yeah, finally after tenuous years of Tantric practice I've mastered the art of shape shifting! Deflated upper cheeks - here low Dhea speaks. Sagging jawline = my testosterone is at decline. When my progesterone is low, I look like a pufferfish, when in balance, I have a calm & friendly 'babyface' I'd always wish (woo-hoo, perhaps I should change my career to become a poet, what ya think?). And, when my overloaded liver finally clears or those well overdue hormones out of my system my face: ta-daa, my face suddenly looks slimmer and more defined even without kybella, and wow, even my compromised under eye area smooths out, no filler or biostimulator needed.

So, knowing all this, am I the picture of perfection? Surely not. My health is always a works-in-progress project, with an occasional sunny plateau. But I remain in close communication and communion with my body, listening to her shouts & whispers, striving to follow the prompts the best I can (sometimes it's a long haul) and that brings a deep sense of satisfaction and empowerment. Truly, I wish I could give myself the treatments I provide for others! But, just as the body is one unified being where all the particles commune and depend one another. We too - as the particles of one greater being - are interdependent to help one another to be healthier and happier (anyone in similar line of work open to trade?) Consider Ayurvedic marma 'face-lifting' massage where through energy points I address majority of your organs and systems (either as a standalone in Ayur-facial or in addition to working with points on your body alongside massage strokes. I see people's beaming faces looking literally 10+ years younger upon leaving my office, with a peaceful sense quiet joyous beauty radiating from within.

So, there you have it. The choice is yours. Live and love fully!)

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Pink Lotus

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