Local massage therapist receives trademark
Ellie Sandler of Well Kneaded Massage Therapy has trademarked and copyrighted her own style of massage and is retailing her own products. She has an office at 11595 Kelly Rd. (Suite 318) and another at Lexington Country Club.
The self-described relaxation queen has officially registered LuminEssence FaceLifting Massage, a combination of massage therapy, lymphatic drainage and acupressure points to assist in regenerating collagen and elastin tissue which helps to tighten tone and firm your skin while diminishing fine lines and wrinkles.
“I used to do a different facial massage, and now I’ve changed it,” she said. “The whole LuminEssence is promoted through lymphatic drainage, which is the waste disposal. It’s getting rid of extra toxins in the face and extra fluid in the face.
“It’s working on the muscles of the face which benefits the skin. I never thought there would be anything as relaxing as a full-body massage, but the LuminEssence FaceLifting Massage is definitely more pampering.”
Sandler, who is a licensed esthetician and massage therapist, became certified as a Lymphatic Drainage technician after taking the course. She now teaches other massage therapists on the process.
“I took my background as a licensed esthetician and combined it with massage therapy,” she said. “The reason why I started teaching is because every time I gave this massage to somebody, we’d look in the mirror and the results made me jealous. I thought I would like to get one of those, but nobody knew how to do it.”
Sandler said massage therapists need so many education courses (25 credits) every two years and have to be hands-on with the approach.
“Now, I’m a hands-on provider. As of right now, I have taught 11 people how to do it,” she said.
Her LuminEssence FaceLifting Massage also uses seven hot towels to help melt stress away and signature banana leaves to add to a treatment that will make one feel “grounded and glowing.”
She said the finishing process was visually created when she saw a chef’s use of banana leaves at her supplemental job. She is a server at Doc Ford’s Fort Myers Beach Rum Bar & Grille.
“Everything I use at LuminEssence is all natural products, so I was looking for something all natural to use as an ending mask,” said Sandler. “I was inspired by our banana leaf snapper at Doc Ford’s, when I saw our chef cutting up some of the leaves. I took one home and cut it up. Banana leaves are tightening and help work the product.”
The 60-minute pampering treatment includes massaging your head, neck, shoulders, arms, hands and feet for a full-body experience. The cost is $65. But, Ellie is willing to take $10 off the treatment for a first-time visit.
Like many other businesses, the recession has changed the massage therapy world. But, beauty enhancing is different.
“People don’t skimp on beauty products, even in a recession,” she said. “They may not go to a spa for five or six days, but they are still doing the beauty part.”
The retail end with beauty products
Sandler began selling her line of beauty products in November. The natural botanicals include a cleanser, an exfoliator, a volcanic ash mud mask, a vital hydrant toner, and 24 Karat Gold Serum and SPF 30 sunscreen with moisturizing vitamins. There is also a pumpkin papaya enzyme mask, which she uses with the banana leaves. She also uses a Manuka honey as a sticky mask.
“The main product is the 24 Karat Gold Serum. It’s an anti-aging serum,” said Sandler. “What’s so cool about it is there are gold specks in there, and gold is really good for your skin. Pure gold actually helps to reverse oxidation damage, making the skin more firm, resilient and youthful.”
The 24 Karat Gold Serum not only has anti-bacterial properties, but helps transport oxygen molecules directly into the skin, influencing cellular growth to revitalize and rejuvenate the skin.
“In the LuminEssence FaceLifting Massage, I promote a homecare routine where one really needs to massage their muscles in their face to keep their muscles tight so that he/she can help make lines and wrinkles disappear. The more you rub it in, the softer it gets,” she said.
“The products sell themselves, because when people get off the table their little fine lines and wrinkles are just gone,” she added. “So they get up and ask, ‘What can I do to keep it.’
Work out your face muscles
“There are actually 33 pairs of muscles that work together to do all the facial expressions,” said Sandler. “The muscles are connected to the skin on our face, unlike the rest of our bodies. As we get older, we start to lose the elasticity and our faces start to wrinkle. That’s why it’s really important to work the muscles. We all need to be kneaded.”
Face massage without pain
Well Kneaded Massage treatments find ways to relieve the muscles without causing pain.
Sandler, who lived on Fort Myers Beach for five years, is a practicing licensed esthetician and massage therapist who centers on therapeutic relaxation to regulate the muscles without pain. The queen of relaxation would never go for the king of pain.
“I don’t believe in pain,” she said. “Some therapists believe in the phrase ‘no pain, no gain’ but I personally don’t. My concept of thinking is that if I hurt you, your muscles will tense up and get tighter.”
Although people are not pampering themselves as much during these down economic times, they still are seeking massages to relieve pain and stress.
“My office is the most relaxing place you’ll experience,” said Sandler. “I’ll tell people that I’m a massage therapist, and they’ll say ‘I’ll never do that because that hurts.’ But, I’m the relaxation queen. I don’t believe in pain.
Call for an appointment
For the local resident, snowbird or vacationing tourist, Well Kneaded Massage Therapy is in the 300 building of the Kelly Carlos Plaza at 11595 Kelly Road. If you are coming from the Beach, drive along San Carlos Boulevard and take a right on Kelly Road. It’s the big complex on the left side, right across from the Target Mall. To reserve your spot of peace and tranquility, contact Ellie Sandler, LMT at 985-0262.