Each of us has different associations when we hear the word “massage”. Some people imagine their back being kneaded in a spa, while others dreamily remember having their feet massaged by their spouse, but few people immediately think about their face. Many people have been able to appreciate the positive results of this procedure, but this mainly concerns the body. But not everyone is sure whether facial massage is useful to such an extent that you need to pay special attention to it. And some even doubt its benefits. There are even those who consider it harmful.
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Choosing the type of facial massage
There are a huge number of varieties of this procedure; it is quite difficult to make an exact classification, since all types are closely interrelated. For example, almost any method can be called therapeutic.
If we are talking about the face, then we will be interested in the following types of massage:
- hygienic (aka preventive);
- plastic;
- medicinal.
Massage relaxes muscles, but activates beneficial metabolic processes of the skin
All these types together are called cosmetic massage. Based on the type of execution, it is also divided into manual and hardware. You need to choose a variety depending on age, condition and skin type.
For dry skin with reduced muscle tone, a hygienic massage is suitable. It maintains skin elasticity, helps keep it fresh and firm, recommended for girls under 27 years old. For oily skin prone to swelling, blackheads and rosacea, plastic massage is recommended. It increases blood circulation, smoothes out fine wrinkles, activates the activity of the sebaceous glands, and affects not only the skin itself, but also the facial muscles and subcutaneous tissue. It is often recommended for women aged 27 years and older.
Therapeutic massage can be prescribed by a cosmetologist or dermatologist for serious skin problems, for example: acne, acne, circulatory problems. It is performed using special technologies. For example, there is the Pospelov method or the Jacquet method, they are designed to cleanse the sebaceous glands, based on a special stroking and pinching technique.
The manual and hardware methods have both their advantages and disadvantages. It is impossible to say unequivocally which of them is more effective, since everything depends on the specific tasks and problems that need to be solved. A specialist will best help you choose the appropriate type and method.
Young girls will be able to keep their facial skin fresher longer with the help of preventive massage
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Why do we look worse as we age?
Often, noticing wrinkles, folds or a swollen oval face in the mirror, women believe that the skin is to blame. And therefore, they begin to intensively care for the skin of the face and neck - they buy anti-wrinkle creams, anti-aging serums, make masks, peelings, mesotherapy and other home and salon skin care procedures.
Of course, our skin is subject to both chrono- and photoaging, so with age it really requires more and more care. But the signs of aging that we see on the skin of the face and neck are just the tip of the iceberg.
In fact, the appearance of wrinkles, folds or swelling is associated not only with skin aging, but also with age-related changes in the bones of the skull, our muscles and blood vessels. It’s just that these changes are hidden from our eyes, and therefore we often do not give them due importance.
But in order for anti-aging care to be adequate and as effective as possible, you need to know and remember about these changes.
First of all, it should be noted that throughout life our skull deforms and decreases in volume, and after this our face changes.
However, while our muscles are young and elastic, they tend to tightly grip the changing skull, and healthy elastic skin follows the muscles. Therefore, at 30 years old, our face no longer looks the same as it did at 20, but, as a rule, there are no obvious signs of aging yet.
But the older we get, the more our bones dry out and the skull decreases in volume, and the facial muscles weaken, lose volume, elasticity and can no longer grip our skull as tightly as before. And since the facial muscles are woven into the skin at one end, where the facial muscles sag, our skin sag.
But in addition to the fact that some muscles weaken with age and begin to sag, that is, they are in hypotonicity, other muscles are often in hypertonicity, for example, the muscles of the forehead or neck. Hypertonicity is excessive muscle tension.
Many people now lead a sedentary lifestyle - they work all day at the computer, or spend a lot of time driving, and in the evening they often relax again at the computer, for example, watching videos on YouTube.
All this contributes to hypertonicity of the neck muscles. And many of you probably know that when the neck muscles are overstrained, they compress the blood vessels, which disrupts the blood supply to the brain - headaches appear, attention decreases, memory deteriorates, sleep is disturbed, and in general our health and well-being suffers.
But perhaps not everyone knows that the beauty of our face largely depends on the condition of the neck muscles. When blood flow is disrupted, our skin cells receive less nutrients and oxygen, and as a result, the skin ages faster.
In addition, due to muscle hypertonicity, venous outflow and lymph outflow are disrupted, which contributes to the appearance of edema and other problems. The face becomes pasty (that is, puffy, as if wrinkled), the oval floats, and a double chin forms.
Hypertonicity of certain facial muscles, for example, the forehead muscles, contributes to the appearance of wrinkles and folds in this area.
Positive aspects of the procedure
The advantages can be listed endlessly, because it was invented many centuries ago, its traces can be traced in the history of different peoples over thousands of years. Many women think that this is just a pleasant relaxing procedure, but this is not all its advantages. What are the benefits of facial massage besides relaxation?
Here are a few problems that it can fix or eliminate altogether.
- Excessive muscle tension, including stress-related.
- Dead cells on the surface of the skin.
- Problems at a deeper level (subcutaneous layer): toxins, puffiness, pallor, fatigue, acne.
- Age-related changes: fine wrinkles, sagging skin, unclear facial contour. Provided that the set of procedures has been correctly selected, the effect can be compared with the result of Botox injections, although it takes longer to achieve.
But that’s not all, the procedure helps the body produce elastin and collagen faster, stimulates blood circulation (tactile influence on the facial muscles increases blood flow to it), thereby helping oxygen penetrate skin cells faster, as well as cosmetics that are often used in the process . Even if you came to the salon for another purpose, for example, to make a nourishing mask, you will definitely have a little face massage first, which is not only pleasant, but will also enhance the effect of the mask.
An elegant woman can tighten her skin and reduce the number of fine wrinkles with massage
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Types of massage techniques
To benefit from facial massage, regardless of the chosen technique, massage movements are carried out along the following lines:
- from the center of the forehead and wings of the nose to the temples;
- from the bridge of the nose along the upper eyelid to the outer corners of the eyes and further along the lower eyelid to the inner corner of the eye;
- from the middle of the upper lip and corners of the mouth to the earlobe;
- from the central point of the chin to the behind-the-ear area.
The neck is massaged from top to bottom, and the décolleté area is massaged from the center to the periphery.
Classical
Classic facial massage is used to eliminate facial wrinkles, prevent premature aging, increase muscle tone and improve the movement of biological fluids. The main massage techniques are stroking and rubbing, performed with light pressure. They have a direct and reflex effect on the muscles, which leads to an improvement in the condition and color of the skin.
Medical
Therapeutic massage is prescribed for neuralgia, oily seborrhea, acne and acne. The massage is based on pinch techniques and intense effects on the skin. The effectiveness of the procedure is due to the capture of subcutaneous tissue, which improves the movement of lymph and blood, stimulates muscle activity and cleanses the upper layers of the skin.
Therapeutic facial massage
Lymphatic drainage
The goal of lymphatic drainage technique is to normalize lymph flow. After the course, muscle tone improves, cells are renewed, puffiness decreases and dark circles under the eyes disappear. During the massage, the techniques of stroking, kneading, pressing, and light vibration are used. The minimum course with a specialist consists of 10 procedures, which are carried out every other day.
Plastic
It is better to choose the plastic massage technique for those who have severe swelling, withering and sagging skin, and a large number of facial wrinkles. Instead of oils or creams, talc is used, and the techniques are carried out with tangible pressure. A course of sessions with a cosmetologist is as effective as a surgical facelift.
Buccal facial massage
Jacquet
Jacquet's massage includes only pinch techniques, and deep facial cleansing is required before the session. Pinching is done with the thumb and index finger for 10 minutes. The procedures are useful for oily skin and at the first signs of aging.
Myofascial
Myofascial technique differs from others in that the techniques affect the muscle fascia and neurovascular bundles of the face. The method is used to prevent and get rid of age-related skin changes, during the recovery period after plastic surgery and to eliminate deep wrinkles.
Asahi
The Japanese Asahi massage technique is used as an effective daily self-massage. All techniques are carried out only along the lines of lymph movement, and light pressure is applied at the end points. For ease of movement, a nourishing cream or massage oil is applied to the skin before treatment. The first results are noticeable after 5-6 sessions, and the procedure can be carried out both in the morning and in the evening.
Kobido
Using the Kobido rejuvenating method allows you to slow down the aging process, accelerate tissue regeneration, relax muscles and improve the production of collagen and elastin by cells. During the treatment, stroking and deep rubbing techniques, impact on the fascia and acupressure techniques are used.
Massage rejuvenates the face
At home, if you have the opportunity to carry out daily procedures and if you perform the techniques correctly, you can get a quick and pronounced rejuvenating result. The choice of massage technique depends on skin type, age and expected result, and sessions can be performed daily if you feel well. Regardless of the chosen self-massage technique, you must adhere to the rules: all movements coincide with the massage lines, do not cause pain or discomfort, and a massage agent is first applied to the skin. Usually they use oil or cream, but some techniques involve the use of talcum powder or a special lotion (for oily or problem skin).
Arguments against facial massage
Sometimes you can hear opinions that it can be not only ineffective, but even harmful. Hardware facial massage especially raises doubts and concerns, the benefits and harms of which are actively discussed every time one or another innovative method appears. Here are some arguments people make based on rumors or even their own bad experiences.
- The skin stretches and becomes flabby.
- The skin gets used to the procedures. To keep it in good shape, they need to be repeated constantly, otherwise it can again stretch.
- The consequences may be swelling, allergic reactions, and the skin may be damaged.
You should trust your face only in the hands of a true professional.
Yes, negative consequences are possible, but this can only happen if the cosmetologist is unprofessional, and also because the presence of contraindications that each type of procedure has was not taken into account. It is also necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of the skin. For example, if she is very sensitive to any physical influences, you should not perform a hardware massage. A reaction may occur to cosmetics used during the procedure, so any unfamiliar cosmetics should always be tested on a small area of skin in advance.
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How to avoid mistakes when performing massage at home
Due to many circumstances - lack of time, money or simply plain laziness, many women in their 30s decide to carry out cosmetic facial massage at home. However, it is very important not to harm the skin with such a procedure. Be very careful when doing a massage at home, strictly follow all the rules of the procedure.
To avoid mistakes when massaging your face at home, familiarize yourself with the technique of performing the procedure by a specialist by watching the video:
General contraindications to massages
- Diseases of the skin, hair and nails of various types. For example: allergic dermatitis, infection, fungus and others.
- Acute inflammation of lymphatic and blood vessels, varicose veins, thrombosis.
- Flu, acute respiratory viral infections, acute respiratory infections.
These are not all contraindications; the list may be different for each type. This point must be taken into account before the procedure, and it does not matter whether you do it yourself or in the salon.
If you have skin problems, you should be examined by a dermatologist before attending a massage session.
Rumors about negative consequences can also be spread for commercial purposes, for example, on the initiative of those who provide cosmetic services using more radical and expensive rejuvenation methods. But the thousand-year history of massage, which was mentioned by Hippocrates, speaks for itself.
