Since I received my esthetician license in 2001, I’ve completed over 10,000 facials! So much has changed in the skincare industry since I began, in very exciting ways. The range of anti-aging formulations, scientific advances, and rejuvenating electronic devices is more effective than ever. I’m passionate about sharing what I’ve learned, which is why this blog is dedicated to expert skincare tips I don’t hear anywhere else.
PRO TIP #1: TARGETED MASSAGE
The number one thing I’ve learned is the importance of targeted massage. We all carry and express emotions in our face. As a result, our emotions are intricately tied to our facial muscles, and in turn, how our face ages. The repetitive motion of our fascial expression etches the stories of our lives into our faces. Our story is beautiful, but lines aren’t only aging, they occlude proper blood flow and lymphatic drainage.
How to complete anti-aging facial massage
I always start my treatments with the sternocleidomastoid muscle to release the neck. Releasing this muscle stacks the head back up on the body, restoring lymph flow and helping us move around the world better. Then I move on to fascia fault lines. Some fault lines are universal, such as brow lines, laugh lines, and crow’s feet, but some are unique to you.
Head to my YouTube channel to learn how to learn different DIY facial massage techniques, and to search for skincare tips that address your individual skin conditions.
PRO TIP #2: WE ALL HAVE “THE THING” THAT BOTHERS US MOST
Even if no one else notices, we all have a thing or two that bothers us most. I had a client with immaculate skin book a facial and was genuinely shocked to see on her consultation form that her pores were her biggest issue. We all have pores, so yes, I could see them, but her pores weren’t enlarged. Since they’re what she wanted to work on, that’s what I focused on. It’s all about making my client feel their best in their skin.
How to shrink pores
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Clear out the junk: Schedule a facial to deep cleanse your pores and identify and discuss the cause of your enlarged pores.
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Deep exfoliate: Upgrade from granular to chemical exfoliation. I suggest HOUSE OF PLLA® HOP+ PLLA Pro Micro Peel to deeply exfoliate.
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Hydrate: The plumping effect of proper hydration is pore refining. I suggest ampoules to instantly hydrate. Ampoules are multitasking super serums that I use for a range of reparative purposes, including hydration. Scroll down to Skincare Tip #4 for more on ampoules.
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LED: LED therapy improves many skin conditions, including making your pores look smaller. I prefer multimodality devices, such as the Time Master Pro, which combines ultrasound, EMS, and LED.
PRO TIP #3: EVERYONE’S SKIN IS DIFFERENT
There are common skin concerns we all face, such as how our skin responds to cold weather versus warmer weather. Or how our skin changes during different seasons of life, such as perimenopause. But everyone’s skin needs are different. So, your skincare routine must be tailored to you.
I know you know enough about your skin to know that chasing trending products isn’t the answer. This leaves many of my clients looking to skin influencers who test high-end products and treatments to resolve their skin conditions. Although they’ve done the trial and error, it’s ultimately an experiment of 1. What works for them may not work for your skin. What works for my other clients may not work for you.
How to identify what skincare tips work for you
A good esthetician knows skin. We’re hands-on and know what to feel for beneath your skin. We understand how your lifestyle and job duties impact your skin. While some facialists offer a pre-set range of treatments, my approach is to customize facials for each client. This allows me to address the anti-aging issues we all struggle with, as well as individual client concerns.
Anti-aging products and devices have come a long way since I began 25 years ago. I never stop learning, and continue to test new actives, products, and devices to better treat and serve you. This includes following other estheticians and skincare professionals who, like me, treat lots of different clients with lots of different skin issues.
As a member of my Beauty Club, you can ask me about your skin!
PRO TIP #4: RESTORING HYDRATION IS EASY
I can’t advise on what’s unique to you without seeing, feeling, or at least hearing about your skin, but I still see a lot of dehydration. Especially for women in perimenopause or menopause. Even if your skin is oily, it can be dehydrated. Thankfully, it’s easy to restore moisture to your top skin layer.
How to instantly hydrate your skin
Ampoules are my top pick for winter, year-round, and 45+ dehydrated skin. Ampoules are super-serums that nourish and hydrate. You can layer moisturizer on top, but you don’t have to. I personally alternate between different ampoules every few months to maximize their reparative benefits.
One of my top picks is from the Korean cosmeceutical line, Dr. esthé. I stock and sell several Ampoules by this line. If your skin is moisture starved, I suggest Hyal Moisture Solution Ampoule. This intense formulation contains goat milk and Dr. esthé’s signature 6-Matrix formula with variations of hyaluronate and hyaluronic acid to instantly restore hydration.
PRO TIP #5: WE’RE AMID A TECH NECK AND TEXT NECK EPIDEMIC
This anti-aging skin tip is for everyone, because I see the aging impact of tech neck and text neck on everyone. This includes teenagers and young adults. We spend hours a day hunched over our computers and while texting, gaming, streaming, and reading on mobile devices. So, the pain, strain, and premature neck wrinkles are a side effect of modern life, but there is so much you can do proactively and reactively.
Most of my clients hold so much tension in their chest, neck, and shoulders that it shortens the muscles in their neck and lower face. It also occludes lymphatic flow, leaving your jawline puffy.
How to address tech neck
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Neck massage: Watch this video to ease the tension in your sternocleidomastoid muscle. Apply a hydrating gel for comfortable slip and glide.
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Posture and ergonomics: Be mindful of your posture throughout the day and keep your mobile devices at eye level. Invest in an ergonomic mouse, keyboard, screen riser, and convertible desk.
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Daily stretches: They may not look like much, but completing a few minutes of chest-opening stretches, head rolls, back stretches, and leg, glute, and hip stretches can counterbalance some of the negative impact of tech neck and poor posture. Also, incorporate stretch-based fitness such as yoga and Essentrics into your fitness routine.
PRO TIP #6: OUR LIPS HOLD TENSION TOO
As someone who purses her lips, this expert skin tip is one I know well! The more you purse your lips, the more lines etch into and above your lips. Lip lines are hard to get rid of, so you’ll need to be consistent. Especially if you also have “pain face”. This is the term I use to refer to the jaw tension I see in 90% of my clients, caused by clenching their jaws. The jaw muscle is long and strong, so if it’s tight, your whole face can’t release or relax. You may clench at night when you sleep or only when stress is high.
How to smooth lip lines
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Buccal massage: An intraoral massage is key to smoothing lip lines, releasing the jaw, draining the puffiness that intensifies marionette lines, and releasing the entire face.
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Eye and Lip Pro+: The Eye and Lip Pro+ is from my signature line. It combines LED, EMS, RF, and Vibration to address the most common issues of aging lips and eyes. I designed it to be professional-grade, but gentle and easy to use at home.
PRO TIP #7: BAGS UNDER THE EYES HAVE MULTIPLE CAUSES
Most of the under the eye conversation is centered around lymphatic fluid buildup, particularly while we sleep. This is a top concern, but many of my clients don’t realize they have malar bags. If you have an all-day wrinkle or line under your eye where your fat pad ends, you have malar bags. These are most common for those with allergies and sinus issues, and they don’t respond to techniques that drain lymphatic fluid.
How to erase malar bags
A weekly intraoral massage is required for draining your sinuses. Apply grapeseed oil or conductive gel to the outside of your skin and focus on stripping the area as high up underneath your eyes as you can get from the inside of your mouth. Malar bags create so much sinus blockage that this area can feel like a brick. You may see some results after 1 buccal massage, but it may take a few weeks before your skin begins to lie flat under your eye.
LET’S DISCUSS YOUR UNIQUE SKIN CONCERNS
It’s an honor to do what I love every day, serving clients in-person and clients from around the world through my website, YouTube channel, and Beauty Club. You can join the Christine Byer Beauty Club to learn exclusive anti-aging tips for your local climate, lifestyle, skin type, and skin conditions.
I offer a 14-Day FREE preview with full access to everything in the Club. This includes answers to your personal skincare questions and access to exclusive content and discounts. If you don’t find value in your membership, cancel within 14 days at no charge.
