Ayurveda takes a natural approach to beauty. In Ayurveda, maintaining the luster and health of our skin, hair and nails doesn’t involve toxic or invasive treatments. Rather, the primary goals of Ayurvedic beauty therapy is to use natural herbs and products that exfoliate, increase circulation, and infuse nutrients into the skin and body, as well as promoting self-confidence through self-care.
Beauty Therapy is More Than Skin
Above all else, Ayurveda recommends making sure the body and mind are sound and healthy, which will often show through the skin, hair, and nails. The most important step to maintaining a clear and beautiful appearance is to enjoy a diet, exercise and lifestyle regimen that balances your doshas. Also incorporating health promoting herbal blends, like Chyawanprash, assist in a more glowing complexion, and strong lustrous hair.
At-Home DIY Beauty Treatments
Ayurvedic beauty care can begin at home within your day to day life. Incorporating some of these simple and luxurious Ayurvedic beauty therapy treatments into your daily rituals to achieve a vibrant appearance:
- Start your day with stretching and yoga. Yoga therapy ensures that the blood and lymph circulate out toxins, which are eliminated out of the skin through sweat. However, when you sweat, you also secrete sebum and natural oils, which are beneficial for skin, and help keep your skin supple and smooth.
- Exfoliate the skin 1 – 4 times a week. Exfoliation helps circulation and removes dead skin cells, ensuring cellular regeneration and healthier skin. You can also include the scalp when exfoliating. Depending on the dosha, exfoliation should be done less frequently with Vata types (1-2 times a week), most frequently with Kapha types (4 times a week), and moderately with Pitta types (2-3 times a week). Exfoliation can be carried out using a dry brush, as well as an herbal scrub, infused with fresh or dried herbs and essential oils specific for your dosha.
- Practice self-massage (abhyanga) using doshic-specific oils. The skin is the largest organ of the body, and also contains marma points, which, when activated through pressure, can help promote health and healing in the body. After yoga, be sure to massage your doshic-specific oils all over the body before showering.
- Massage your scalp once per week with doshic-specific oils. Scalp massage is a wonderful way to reduce stress, promote hair growth, alleviate conditions of dandruff or dryness, balance the skin of the scalp, and ensure a better night’s sleep. Scalp massage can be done alongside your daily abhyanga, which is a wonderful and relaxing treatment that ensures strong hair and a healthy scalp.
Professional Beauty Treatments
Beauty therapy in Ayurveda can also be experienced through professional treatments. One of the most impactful treatments is panchakarma. Panchakarma is Ayurveda’s most thorough detoxification protocol and includes svedhana, abhyanga, poultice massage, as well as powdered herbal massage. Panchakarma ultimately results in a healthier complexion and more beautiful, luminous skin and nails.
Some of the most effective treatments in Ayurvedic beauty therapy can be delivered by a professional to ensure the most useful effects and offer you a more relaxing and therapeutic experience. Ayurveda offers beauty therapy as treatments in the form of:
- Facials
- Scalp treatments
- Massage
- Nail care
- Body scrubs
- Body wraps
- Steams
- Hair treatments
- Hand and foot treatments
Beauty begins within, and Ayurvedic beauty therapy is the incorporation of inner and outer care. Try truly treating yourself by visiting an Ayurvedic Therapy Center to fully experience the Ayurvedic beauty care treatments that are offered, as well as carrying out your daily Ayurvedic beauty therapy routine at home for the ultimate rejuvenating experience. Self-love begins with self-care.
Ceanna Saatsaz is a Licensed Master Esthetician, Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, and Certified Professional Herbalist, located in Seattle, WA.
