Lymphatic Massage Update // Weight Loss & Other Benefits

Yesterday was the second installment in a series of lymphatic massages that booked after seeing the transformational power of these wellness treatments.  I actually didn't intend on booking a series, but after my first experience, I had to go back for more.

Now that I've multiple experiences, I'd like to share some updates on the benefits I've received thus far.
As you might recall, I learned about the power of lymphatic massages after stumbling on Justine Skye's IG stories.  In the videos, she kept raving about her masseuse so I followed the tagged link where I discovered my latest obsession.

I thought I would have to book a trip to LA to experience a lymphatic massage for my self.  Luckily, a quick Yelp search revealed a location just minutes away.   Based on the reviews, the local masseuse seemed to utilize the same Brazillian technique as Justine's fave so I immediately booked a session.

One reason why I wanted to try this massage so badly was because of the before/after transformations.  People seemed to experience an immediate change in tone and muscle definition. Bloating in the midsection seemed to magically disappear.   If I'm being completely honest, I didn't experience similar results in the reduction of my midsection.  But I did benefit in a different way.

I weigh myself every morning.  I do it to keep myself aware of my weight fluctuations as a result of my eating.  Whenever I reach the top of my weight limit, I immediately execute an action plan so things don't get out of hand.  On the morning before my first massage, I weighed around 132.4 lbs.  I'm only about 5 feet tall so technically, I am 132 lbs is considered overweight.

The next stay, I stepped on the scale (per usual) and registered a weight of 131.4 lbs.  I was shocked to say the least.   Somehow, I seemed to magically lose a pound of weight. But how?

Obviously, it wasn't an instant fat loss. So what happened?

Based on what I read online, it appears that the lymphatic system has a direct connection to our weight.  The primary function of the lymphatic system to carry and dispose of fluid waste.  But if we have sluggishness in our lymph, things slow down which makes it easier for us to carry excess water weight.  Advocates for lymphatic massage swear by its ability to stimulate the metabolism.  I didn't have any particular issues with swelling, congestion or other signs that suggested a slow-moving lymph.  But, at my age, I figured that all of my bodily systems could use a little boost.

Based on the instant weight loss, I was probably right.  I'm guessing that much of the weight loss was water weight as my body worked on overdrive to eliminate toxins.  Today is the morning after my second massage.  Upon stepping on the scale, I registered at 128.0 lbs.  Did two lymphatic massages cause me to magically lose 3 lbs?  Not exactly.  I have implemented some dietary/lifestyle changes that affect my weight.  But, I do think the first massage helped to give me a jump start.

This time I also requested a facial massage.  I'm familiar with doing lymphatic massages on my face but I knew it wouldn't compare to having one done professionally.  The minute her skilled hands touched my face I knew I was in for a treat.  Her strokes were firm and deliberate.  She focused on sculpting my face by working aggressively on my jawline.  This morning I saw the evidence of her work.  Instead of waking up with slightly a slightly puffy face, I looked toned and lifted....and my skin was glowing!

Before leaving, I already set my next appointment for yet another lymphatic massage + full facial. I would love this experience to become a fixture in my self-care routine.  Sure, it's a bit pricey but I think it's worth the investment considering that the benefits are aligned with my current desired outcomes.

If you to incorporate more lymphatic enhancing activities into your routine, you can do things like dry brushing, rebounding on a trampoline, or check out the countless lymph massage videos on YouTube.



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Stylist Feature – Jamila Carrington

Introduce yourself and which salon if any you work at… My name is Jamila Carrington an Island girl from Barbados who moved to New York and pursued my dream job as a certified hairstylist in Brooklyn I love what I do, it has always been my passion How long have you worked as a licensed cosmetologist […]

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6 Ways To Prevent Tangles In Kinky Natural Hair

Natural hair is beautiful, it’s trendy, it’s popular and it’s here to stay. It’s also time-consuming, quirky and requires real knowledge, time and patience to keep your tresses healthy and looking amazing. One of those quirks is tangles, they can drive a woman crazy and I cant help but remember those relaxed hair days when […]

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A Summer Hair Regimen For Relaxed Hair

It is really hard to talk about summer when its snowing in the spring seriously? I mean did ya’ll catch that mini snow thing in Maryland last week, in the middle of April? I really hope it doesn’t snow in the summertime because I know a few people who just bought bikinis that are going to […]

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Feature// An Aesthetician Explains How Chemical Peels Are the Key to Perfect Skin.

I'm a sucker for amazing before and after skin transformation pics.  So when I stumbled on an Instagram story featuring a woman's skin that seemed to win the battle of hyperpigmentation, I stopped in my tracks.  The pictures were shared by a someone I followed and interacted with in the past so I immediately sent a DM.  

Turns out, the images belonged to a client. My curiosity peeked.  After a few follow up questions, I realized that she was very knowledgeable of the skin care questions I was throwing her way.   Eventually, I asked the obvious...."are you an esthetician?"  Once she confirmed that skin care was her job, I immediately got excited and mustered up the courage to ask she would answer some skin care related questions....specifically on the topic of hyperpigmentation and how to address it.

If you're curious about the most effective method to even-toned skin.  Keep reading.

Today, we're interviewing Ak.  She's an expert in using chemical exfoliation to help create amazing skin.  I'm very interested in getting a chemical peel again so I asked her a bunch of questions.  I hope you enjoy the interview.

Q: First, tell me about your experience in the skincare industry and what go you interested.

AK. My name is Akpevwe, but everyone calls me AK. I currently live in Lagos, Nigeria. I love working on the skin.  I enjoy helping clients create their skin goals.  I've worked in the beauty industry for over 10 years now, both as a professionally trained makeup artist and an aesthetician.

I initially trained as a holistic aesthetician and currently in training to be a certified medical aesthetician. 

 Asides having experienced problems with my own skin, I got fully interested in the skincare industry based off, my observation as a makeup artist, of the influence social media, continues to have on the demand for perfect skin. From a makeup artist perspective, I knew this was beyond what makeup alone can achieve. For me, makeup and skincare go hand in hand, so I got into skincare to elevate makeup artistry career.

Q: I ask every esthetician I meet to share their favorite skin treatment.  You answered that you love chemical peels, why is that your go to?

AK. I love chemical peels and microneedling primarily because I specialize in corrective skincare. The right chemical peels act as an eraser, addressing post-inflammatory scarring, puke and box scars. Also Microneedling for its rejuvenating benefits and collagen stimulation.

Are there different types of chemical peels? Which one(s) are your favorite for eliminating acne scars versus reducing wrinkles/signs of aging?

AK.  Before delving into chemical peels. If you are already have existing acne, please have that addressed before moving on to work on the scarring.

For Acne Scars: I love working with cocktail peels as suppose to single ingredient peels. Because of the different molecular sizes

Azelaic and Salicylic cocktails work well for oily and combination skin types and also Cosmelan by Mesoestetic.

Q: The last time I had a peel, I had to stay in the house for a week. Is there an alternative peel with less/no downtime? Or are the most effective peels the ones that physically remove the top layer of skin?

AK: The only chemical peel with minimal downtime would be a glycolic acid peel and that depends on the percentage administered. This is because exfoliation happens on a microscopic level with glycolic acid and, in some cases, not visible to the eyes. it is also not as aggressive as other peels. It is usually used to pave the way for more aggressive chemical peels.

 In my opinion, all chemical peels are effective, what is equally as important is feeding the right ingredients and taking care of the newly exfoliated skin. This is where I see a lot of people having issues. An effective regimen with the right product and ingredients ensures results that last.

Q: As women of color, should we be particular about the type of peel that we use on our skin?

AK: Yes from my experience and study, peels containing resorcinol can fry our skin, more especially for people who fall under the type 5-6 of the Fitzpatrick skin classification scale.

Also, I don't advice the Cosmelan peel to be self-administered, it is classified as a deep peel.  Persons who fall under the above skin typing have a high risk of contradictions, due to high melanin levels.

Q: Any tips to get the most out of a professional peel?
AK: A professional facial before a peel is highly advised, not only does it ensure that pores are clear of any sebum build-up, it also eliminates any chances of breakout episode while skin is peeling. Also being on a regimen of AHA's and retinol, is highly beneficial and advised prior to a professional peel.

Q: You shared an amazing skin transformation that occurred over a series of peel sessions. Do you recommend that everyone with severe scarring do a series of peels?
AK: Yes, as long as they aren't pregnant.

Q: If your skin is relatively normal, do you still recommend peels or should that person stick with conventional facials?
AK: For person's with normal skin, I recommend, quarterly sessions, even though you don't suffer from acne and scarring, there is always the issue of surface dehydration, lackluster skin, and wrinkles. Also the health and integrity of the skin important.

Q: Are there any effective at home peels that you recommend? 
AK: Sadly no, chemical peels are to be administered by a trained aesthetician but having an at-home regimen that includes AHA's, retinol and Vitamin C works. 

Q: What's your suggestion for reducing acne scars at home?
AK: Reduce inflammation in your body and skin as much as possible, avoid refined sugar, white bread and soda. Inflammation in the body puts it at risk of developing breakouts, which leads to hyperpigmentation especially for people of color. Also, look out for products that are anti-inflammatory. Anti-inflammatory skincare is the key.

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Two Foxy Afro Tutorials For Natural Hair

I don’t care what senior management tells you at work, there is nothing like an amazing fro. These women have perfected the art of the fro as many of us have and every time we are impressed. Both girls have similar techniques with some differences here and there, resulting in big luscious gorgeous hair. The […]

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All The Beauty Essentials You Need for Your Vacation

 I received an email from a reader asking about tips on what beauty items to pack while traveling.  Honestly, I thought it was such a great question that warranted dedicating an entire article on the topic.

 I traveled a bunch for work and basically had to live out of my travel bag.  I've also renewed my passport and have been traveling overseas a bit more.

I still have a couple more trips to knock out this year.  Here's a list of the must-have beauty products I always have in my travel bag.
In the past I made the mistake of traveling with mini-sized products that I didn't necessarily use in my daily regimen.  Some of those items were obtained as a result of my Sephora beauty points or from gifted by brands.  That's a mistake.  Just because the products were small enough to fit in my toiletry bag doesn't mean that they should be granted the special position of travel essential.

Thankfully, now it's easy to find many of your faves in trial size. The first place to start is by assembling your favorite daily cleanser, toner, and moisturizer.  Basically, if your current regimen is working, take it with you on your travels.

Once you have your foundational items packed, you may want to focus on adding a few essentials for use the plane ride.  Airplane cabins have ultra-dry air.  The longer your plane ride, the more you should consider adding extra moisture to keep hydrated.  This means drinking adequate water and protecting your skin.

Once you're in the air and the fasten seatbelt sign is turned off, it's time to execute a mini-moisture routine.  When I traveled for work, I would actually moisturize my hair and tie in a scarf before arrival.  I know this seems a bit extreme but I promise you that my hair was perfectly intact and ready for morning meetings.

Skin hydration during a flight is a MUST.  Some go as far as to break out a sheet mask during the flight but unless you're heading straight to an event, I don't think it's necessary.  Just make sure you have a heavy hitting moisturizer.  If you have a really long flight, don't hesitate to moisturize more than once during the trip.  I hear that Summer Friday's Jet Lag Mask is really good but I haven't yet tried it.  I have a sample waiting for my cross-country plane ride in July and I can't wait to see what the hype is about.

Next on your list should be those emergency products that can save your skin when things go awry.  Keep in mind that a new environment can make your skin go haywire.  The hotel room has dry air, you're out in the sun sweating all day. Some locations have a lot of sand, dirt, and dust.  That's a risky situation for your skin.

That's why I like to carry a clay mask to deep clean my pores out every night (especially if it's an exotic location).  Other essentials like acne patches, sheet masks, acidic toners, body scrubs, might come in really handy on your next trip.  After a day of sweating and riding bikes on dirt roads in Tulum, my dermatitis flared up really badly.  Thankfully, I brought my ACV toner along for situations just like this.  When you return to your hotel room at night, your goal should be clean the skin thoroughly then moisturize like crazy,

When it comes to makeup, one mistake that I've made was only packing makeup that I wear on a daily basis.  Looking back, I feel like my everyday makeup can be a bit too toned down for dinners and events one attends while vacationing. Plus you always gotta be photo-ready whenever you're on vacay.  If you typically wear a toned down look, I urge you to consider also bringing along additional eye shadows or lip colors that flatter and enhance your look. I also pack things like extra primer to help control oil while helping your makeup stay on longer (even in high humidity). Try searching for some inspiration from Youtube and experiment those looks before heading out to perfect the technique.

 Other random beauty stuff I take along with me include:
-My favorite fragrance(s) in a roll-on bottle.
-SPF lip balms.  I adore this one from Neutrogena.
-An oil based body moisturizer like shea butter or Palmer's Cocoa Butter Gel with spf.
-Chlorophyll capsules to avoid any unpleasant body odor from being active outdoors all day.
-Supplements that aid in digestion and minimizes bloating for those days when I overeat.

Obviously, sun protection is a must.  Even while on the flight, you're closer to the sun and exposed to concentrated UV rays.  I always bring an SPF 50 every time I travel.  It's important to reapply sunscreen if you're spending the entire day in the sun.  Right now I'm loving Neutrogena's Healthy Defense. It has no white cast at all and feels like  a light moisturizer.  If you're traveling to a dryer climate, check out their Hydraboost that protects against UVs while providing a boost of moisture.

Lastly, I find it helpful to get professional beauty treatments done beforehand that lessen your load while you're away.  A gel or dip powder manicure means that you won't have to worry about chipped nail polish or other nail related nuisances.  Next time I travel, I may get lash extensions so I can look a bit more pulled together even with light makeup.  For tedious grooming related like shaving or styling your hair, pay to get it done beforehand so you can focus mainly on the wonderful experiences of your new environment.

Did I miss anything?

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Protective Twist N Bun Style Hairstyle Tutorial

Every time I see a style on YouTube that looks amazing, I always end up asking myself, why in the world didn’t I think of that? Is it that I am not creative enough, or am I just content with a boring bun? It might be all of the above but don’t get me wrong […]

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Ways To Combat Natural Hair Shrinkage That Actually Work

Let’s Talk About Shrinkage Shrinkage can be seen as one of the most frustrating natural hair issues on the planet. One might call it the natural hair devil because it conceals our true length making things a little tricky with styling. At about this point we could get into a lecture session wagging our fingers […]

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Stylist Feature – Stephanie D Thompson

Introduce yourself and which salon if any you work at… My name is Stephanie and I have been a licensed hair stylist for over 23 years. I am currently the owner and operator of Xclusive Changez Hair Studio located in Levittown, Pennsylvania. How long have you worked as a licensed cosmetologist (or equivalent in your […]

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The Flaxseed Gel Recipe – Home Made And All Natural

Flaxseed gel affectionately known as FSG is probably the best alternative to commercial gels out there. In this day and age when everyone is very focused on health, going organic and moving away from products that have harmful chemicals, we think it is important to highlight some alternative natural options that you can use in […]

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Stylist Feature – Guvia Edukore

Introduce yourself and which salon if any you work at… Hi! My name is Guvia Edukore and I’m a mobile hairstylist based in Tallahassee, Florida. I specialize in braids and twists and have over 10 years experience. Braiding hair started out as just a past time for me and I never in a millions years […]

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