Face Mapping: A Look Inside
Whoever said beauty is only skin deep clearly hadn’t heard of face mapping. The truth is, our reflection can tell us more than just what’s on the surface. It can give us a glimpse of our inner beauty—the health of our internal organs.
Your skin can indicate major problems (if a butterfly shaped rash appears on the face,for example, it could be a warning sign of lupus) as well as minor ones. The fact that the skin is our largest and most external organ means that we see it regularly, so why not learn how to read it? Breakouts and blemishes can be attributed to trapped dirt and oils, cheap cosmetics and irritating skin care products, but what most people do not realize is that skin on different regions of the face correlate to specific internal body parts. The charting of this skin-body connection, with origins from time-tested Chinese medicine which has caught on in the Western world, is called face mapping.
With face mapping, the mirror becomes a convenient diagnostic tool. Learning which facial “zones” parallel which internal organs/functions can help us find underlying causes for our dermatic woes and indicate which parts of our bodies need special attention. As palm readers are to predicting fortune, face mappers are to predicting internal health problem, making face maps arguably the most useful guide for what to keep stashed in your beauty bag or, better yet,the ol’ noggin.
Check out our guide for reading the map of your own face below.
Zone 1 & 2: Bladder & Digestive System — Breakouts on your forehead signify toxic build-up in the body. Since acne in this area can mean poor digestion and a lack of water, you should take a closer look at your diet and daily fluid consumption. Are you sensitive or allergic to any foods? Is your stomach capable of absorbing certain nutrients? Are you drinking at least 3 liters (for men) or 2.2 liters (for women) of fluids a day*? A highly acidic diet may also cause blemishes on the forehead. If this is the case, you might want to try the “Alkaline Diet” to see if that will balance out your complexion.
Zone 3: Liver — Trouble in this area is linked to your liver. If you notice acne,redness or peeling in the space between your eyes and eyebrows, try cutting back on and heavy or rich foods (i.e. oil, cheese, butter, cream). This zone is the socialite’s nightmare as going out often spells more than an adequate dose of the hard stuff and greasy foods, resulting in the emergence of the ever ill-fated “third eye” (the cyclopic pimple of all pimples). People on new medication and people with estrogen dominance (an excess of estrogen and lack of progesterone) may similarly notice irritation in this zone as well.
Zone 4,5,11 & 12: Kidneys — Drink up! Lots of water, that is. Keep this zone cyst-free by staying hydrated. Increase water intake and decrease the amount of things that dehydrate, such as salt, coffee, soda, caffeinated tea, and alcohol.Flush with a glass of cranberry juice to keep your body’s natural filters in working order. Cranberries contain natural antibacterial compounds (tannins) that will prevent bacterial build-up from clinging to the walls of your kidneys and bladder.
Zone 6 & 7: Respiratory system — Smokers beware! This zone is linked to your lungs, so if you smoke (actively or passively), have allergies, or are surrounded by poor air quality, you will likely see blemishes or broken capillaries on your cheeks. Also, because this area comes in frequent contact with your cell phone and pillow, dirty pillowcases and cell phones wreak havoc on the skin. Pillowcases absorb oil from your hair night after night and cell phones have been found to have more bacteria on them than door handles and toilet seats—eek! If you are a side-sleeper, wash your pillowcase regularly and get in the habit of wiping down your phone screen with an antibacterial wipe.
Zone 8: Heart — If you have persistent acne here or notice your nose being more swollen or bulbous than normal, it is a good indication that you should check your heart health and blood pressure. To maintain a healthy heart and reduce your blood pressure, skip the cigarettes, skimp on salt, pass on the energy drinks, maintain your weight, stay active and limit your alcohol consumption to no more than 2 drinks per day.
Zone 9 & 10: Dental Hygiene — Blemishes on the lower cheek point to poor oral care. Stave off germs by brushing, flossing, gargling and not “forgetting” your semi-annual dental check-ups.
Zone 13 & 14: Hormones — Women often see more blemishes appear on the sides of their chin during “that time of the month”. With the temporary fluctuation in hormone levels, it’s only to be expected. Breakouts in this area indicate when you are ovulating, which solves the pre-teen riddle of angst: why so many pesky pimples appear right before a period. Stress, lack of sleep, birth control medication, and insulin imbalance can all knock hormonal harmony out of whack; but if irritation in this area is persistent, there might be more chronic implications and you should make an appointment with your physician to have a hormone test.
Zone 15: Stomach — Skin on your chin is linked to your stomach and small intestine. If you find this zone to be your problem area consider your diet. It’s more than just keeping the calorie count down; it’s about chewing well,minding food allergies, and eating fresh and nutrient-rich produce, natural fiber, and clean meats, all of which will aid in digestion. Consider a detox or adding more fiber to your diet. Still not enough to zap those zits? Try a cleanse or be bold in asking for that extra serving of Korea’s favorite condiment… kimchi! Yes, kimchi is extremely rich in probiotics (good-for-your-gut bacteria), but if the ruby of South Korea is not your thing, then yogurt, kefir, pickles, and miso are great alternatives.
Zone 16: Illness — Acne on your neck and chest can be a sign that your body is warding off sickness. Your immune system may be in overdrive fighting bacterial or viral infection so give it a helping hand by getting rest,drinking plenty of fluids and taking your vitamins or medication.
* Recommended adequate intake (AI) by The Institute of Medicine of the U.S.