Major skin-relevant contributors to oxidative stress: 1. UV - sun exposure - sunburn - tanning beds 2. Environmental - pollution - cigarette smoke - some chemicals 3. Inflammation - inflammatory skin disease - injury - wound healing - illness 4. Internal metabolism - mitochondria naturally produce ROS - ageing alters oxidative balance 5. Lifestyle/systemic factors - smoking - excessive alcohol - significant chronic stress - poor sleep - some medications/drugs Oxygen isn't bad and exercise isn't inherently oxidative damage. Exercise can transiently increase ROS but regular exercise also up-regulates antioxidant defence systems.

Facial Lymphatics is, without question, one of the modalities that has elevated almost everything else I do in clinic. When I first introduced lymphatic drainage into my treatments, I expected to see improvements in puffiness and fluid movement. What surprised me was how much it changed the overall result of so many other treatments. Add it to a basic facial, and the client can quite literally get up from the bed looking different — less puffy, less congested, softer through the face and often with noticeably more definition. Combine it with skin needling, and I find the post-treatment skin settles beautifully. Supporting healthy fluid movement around the tissues can be a wonderful part of the recovery phase, particularly when transient swelling is present. Before LED or other electrical facial modalities, lymphatic drainage can also be used as part of your preparation — helping to settle puffiness, gently mobilise stagnant fluid and create a calmer-looking canvas before moving into the next stage of treatment. And it doesn't have to be complicated. Facial lymphatics can be integrated using manual techniques, gua sha, silicone cups or an appropriate vacuum device, depending on the client and the treatment you are performing. Since incorporating lymphatic work more consistently, some of the changes I regularly notice in my clients include: • Reduced facial puffiness and fluid congestion • More visible facial definition and contour • A fresher, less “heavy” appearance to the skin • Calmer-looking skin following treatment • Improved appearance of temporary post-treatment swelling • Softer-looking tissue around the jaw, cheeks and eye area • A more refined finish to even a very simple facial • Better continuity between treatment stages when combining modalities • And, perhaps most importantly, clients can actually SEE and FEEL the difference That is why I don't really think of Facial Lymphatics as simply another treatment anymore. It is a skill that can be woven through your existing treatments to make what you already do even better.