Gloss Angeles Podcast Summary
Episode: Why Sought-After Esthetician Joomee Song Doesn’t Recommend Retinol and More of Her Skin Secrets
Release Date: February 14, 2025
Hosts: Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan
Guest: Jumi Song, LA-based Esthetician
Introduction: Welcoming Jumi Song
The episode kicks off with Kirbie and Sara warmly welcoming Jumi Song, an esteemed esthetician renowned for her holistic skincare approach that emphasizes internal health for external beauty. Kirbie expresses admiration for Jumi’s radiant complexion, highlighting her expertise and the zen-like atmosphere of her studio.
Kirbie Johnson [00:53]: "It's not because of sleep. Cause I'm not getting a ton of that. It's because of our guest today, Jumi Song, who is an LA based esthetician known for her holistic approach to skincare, emphasizing internal health for external beauty."
Jumi Song’s Signature Approach: The Kaika Facial
Jumi introduces her signature facial sculpting massage, Kaika, a harmonious blend of facial massage, chiropractic techniques, shiatsu, and Japanese microcurrent technology. This method is designed to lift, tone, and detoxify the skin, attracting a high-profile clientele including celebrities like Lady Gaga, Zendaya, and Greta Lee.
Jumi Song [02:58]: "Kaika. It is a blend of facial massage, chiropractic, shiatsu, and Japanese microcurrent technology to lift, tone, and detoxify the skin."
The hosts commend the effectiveness of Kaika, noting its immediate relaxing effects and the personalized assessments Jumi provides, such as identifying muscle overuse that affects facial symmetry.
Holistic Skincare Philosophy: Beyond Products
Jumi emphasizes that skincare transcends mere product application. Her philosophy centers on the belief that what you believe works for your skin, combined with mindful practices like facial massages, can significantly influence your skin’s health and appearance.
Jumi Song [08:16]: "Skin really changes because it is what you believe. If you think something really, truly works on you, if you enjoy doing it, if you enjoy receiving it, then that's how kind of skin changes."
She cautions against over-reliance on active ingredients and excessive cleansing, advocating for a balanced approach that respects the skin’s natural ability to heal and maintain itself.
Critical Insights on Retinol and Active Ingredients
A significant portion of the discussion revolves around Jumi’s skepticism towards retinol and similar active ingredients. She voices concerns about the high risk of irritation, inflammation, and long-term skin damage associated with these products.
Jumi Song [09:11]: "Bottom line is, I'm not a fan of retinol or actives in general, really."
Jumi explains that while retinol stimulates cell production for smoother skin, it simultaneously induces inflammation, which accelerates aging.
Jumi Song [10:03]: "If you are a dying fan of retinol, just do it moderately, like maybe once a week, right? Every other week."
She advises using vitamin C in oil-based forms to minimize acidity and potential irritation, recommending that even within active ingredient use, moderation is key.
Facial Massage Techniques: Enhancing Skin Health
Delving deeper into her expertise, Jumi shares practical facial massage techniques that listeners can perform at home to alleviate puffiness, particularly around the sinuses and masseter muscles. She details a step-by-step process:
- Sinus Area Massage: Press and release around the sinus region to reduce puffiness.
- Masseter Muscle Loosening: Gently press and release the masseter area to relax tight muscles and promote lymphatic drainage.
- Eye Area Treatment: Apply gentle pressure around the eyes to alleviate heaviness and tension.
Jumi Song [35:00]: "Press release, press release. Press and release, press release."
She emphasizes the importance of consistency over duration, recommending short, daily sessions rather than prolonged massages that could lead to nerve damage.
Jumi Song [39:15]: "I would say three minutes. But if you don't have three minutes, one minute is fine."
Injectables and Their Impact: A Cautious Stance
Jumi provides a candid critique of injectable treatments like Botox and fillers, highlighting their potential to disrupt facial muscle function and overall skin health. She argues that freezing facial muscles can impede natural processes like regeneration and detoxification.
Jumi Song [19:12]: "Freezing your facial muscles, which means it freezes the function around it... So tell me, what is that anti-aging?"
She shares her experiences with clients who have undergone excessive injectable treatments, noting issues like facial asymmetry and persistent puffiness due to uneven filler distribution.
Jumi Song [24:07]: "The filler moves around, so one day your doctor may put more on the left side or right side... But our actual inflammation move around. So you have to be aware of that too."
Jumi advises clients to seek skilled practitioners who understand facial dynamics and to maintain open communication with their doctors to ensure balanced results.
Client Management and Event Preparation: Crafting the Perfect Look
The conversation shifts to how Jumi prepares clients for significant events. Using the hypothetical example of preparing an Oscar-nominated actress, Jumi outlines a comprehensive timeline:
- Initial Consultation: Assessing the client’s skin condition and establishing trust.
- Regular Sessions: Conducting weekly massages to retrain facial muscles and address unevenness.
- Pre-Event Intensives: Increasing session frequency leading up to the event to ensure optimal skin appearance.
Jumi Song [27:02]: "It's really like prepping for the Olympics... the day before a huge event, because your face is already in impeccable position."
She underscores the importance of consistency and the mindful approach to treatments, ensuring that the skin remains healthy and radiant without relying on disruptive practices.
Daily Skincare Routine: Emphasizing Simplicity and Mindfulness
Jumi advocates for a straightforward daily skincare regimen, focusing on gentle cleansing and targeted massages. She recommends products like Shiseido Benefiance Eye Cream and oak essentials milk cleanser, emphasizing affordability and accessibility.
Jumi Song [04:25]: "Right now, Shiseido beneficence eye cream is the bomb. I massage with that."
For sunscreen, she prefers Badger Baby Sunscreen, praising its effectiveness and reasonable price point.
Jumi Song [04:53]: "I love that sunscreen. And you can find them anywhere, actually."
Jumi’s personal routine includes nightly facial massages lasting three to five minutes, leveraging sesame oil and high-quality creams to maintain skin health.
Jumi Song [30:25]: "Once a day... I like to do at night because that's when I have time after my kids go to bed."
Mind-Body Connection: Addressing Muscle Overuse and Facial Asymmetry
A fascinating segment explores how habitual behaviors, such as favoring one side of the body, can lead to facial asymmetry and muscle tension. Jumi explains the physiological connections between muscle usage and facial appearance.
Jumi Song [15:54]: "So, overuse or just we all have one side that is more dominant... that side of face is puffier than the other."
She advises listeners to become mindful of their daily gestures, like chewing and holding objects, to promote balanced muscle use and prevent uneven tension.
Jumi Song [16:54]: "You have to be like mindful again, why don't I try to chew more on the left."
This awareness, coupled with regular facial massages, can harmonize facial muscles and enhance overall symmetry and relaxation.
Recommendations: Trusted Practitioners in LA
Jumi shares her trusted network of female practitioners in Los Angeles, highlighting their skilled and sensitive approaches to facial treatments. She specifically mentions Dr. Jessica Wu, Dr. Catherine Chang, and Dr. Quinn Sebastian, commending their precise techniques and impeccable results.
Jumi Song [26:32]: "Dr. Wu... she's incredible. She has the most steady touch."
She prefers female practitioners for their nuanced and feminine touch, aligning with her holistic and sensitive approach to skincare.
Practical Takeaways for Listeners
Towards the episode’s end, Jumi provides actionable advice for listeners to incorporate into their daily routines:
- Daily Facial Massage: Dedicate a few minutes each day to press and release techniques around key facial areas.
- Mindful Practices: Be aware of habitual muscle use and strive for balance to prevent asymmetry.
- Product Selection: Choose gentle, hydrating products and prioritize simplicity over complex active regimens.
- Consistency: Maintain a regular skincare routine to foster lasting skin health and radiance.
Jumi Song [41:09]: "So that connecting to yourself, like you said, is so important because skin as you know, it's connected to our eyes and brains and mouth and all the sensory memories."
She concludes by sharing her social media handles and contact information, encouraging listeners to reach out for professional consultations.
Jumi Song [41:20]: "My social media is jumiesong. And yeah, you can just take us in this email, info@jumiessong.com and it will be here."
Closing Remarks: Embracing Holistic Beauty
Kirbie and Sara express their gratitude to Jumi for sharing her profound insights and techniques. They emphasize the episode’s theme of mindful self-care, inspiring listeners to adopt a balanced and thoughtful approach to skincare that nurtures both the skin and the soul.
Kirbie Johnson [41:55]: "Thanks for coming on. Thanks, Jumi."
Final Thoughts
This episode of Gloss Angeles offers a deep dive into holistic skincare practices, challenging conventional beauty standards and advocating for mindful, internal-focused approaches. Jumi Song’s expertise provides listeners with valuable knowledge on maintaining youthful, healthy skin without over-reliance on aggressive treatments or products. Her emphasis on consistency, balance, and the mind-body connection serves as a refreshing perspective in the beauty industry.
Listeners eager to enhance their skincare routines with personalized, gentle techniques will find Jumi’s advice both practical and transformative. By embracing the principles discussed, one can achieve radiant skin that truly reflects inner well-being.
Follow Jumi Song:
- Instagram: @jumiessong
- Email: info@jumiessong.com