Women who are skilled in self-massage or regularly visit a cosmetologist and masseuse always look younger. While we can't completely stop skin aging, there are ways to slow it down. Wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots become more noticeable due to stress, poor diet, and lack of sleep.
Don't despair if you start noticing the first wrinkles in your 30s or 40s. You can learn to do the massage yourself or find a skilled specialist who can improve your skin with just ten sessions.
When to Consider Facial Massage
Facial massage is beneficial at any age. You can start at 20-25 years old when the skin is still young, firm, and elastic. Early facial skin care helps prolong youth, reduce the number of wrinkles, and maintain a beautiful contour.
Signs that it’s time to start massaging include:
- Wrinkles, including fine expression lines around the eyes and on the forehead
- Uneven skin tone or age spots
- Double chin
- Skin sagging
- Decreased skin elasticity
- Sagging jowls
Facial skin care is also recommended for those with sebaceous gland disorders, which manifest as acne or dry epidermis.
Contraindications
While facial massage can be a versatile and safe procedure, it's important to consider the following conditions before starting:
- Diseases of the lymph nodes and blood
- Tumors in the areas where massage is performed
- Any inflammatory diseases
- Increased fragility of skin vessels
- A large number of moles
- Allergies and other skin rashes
- Cuts or insect bites
- Acute sinusitis
- Facial nerve neuritis
Many women have increased facial skin sensitivity, so massage can cause discomfort. In this case, don’t abandon the procedure completely; you can reduce the pressure or use special "soft" techniques.
If skin problems are caused by internal diseases, treat those first. Cosmetic flaws should be corrected only after eliminating the underlying causes. For example, excessive skin dryness may be due to a poor diet or lack of fluids and essential nutrients. If changes are gradual and related to age or work conditions, you can start massaging right away.
Preparing for the Procedure
First, decide on the frequency of the procedure. It’s advisable to do corrective facial massage 2-3 times a week, with a minimum break of one day. If there are few wrinkles and the skin is still young, 6-7 days may be enough. Older skin requires more sessions, about 10-12.
To maintain optimal results, consider repeating the massage course every 3 to 6 months. Between courses, you can perform self-massage daily while applying cream after morning and evening cleansing.
Creating the Right Environment
The first and most important rule of any massage is relaxation. Muscles should not be tense, so create a comfortable environment by playing relaxing music and considering aromatherapy. Avoid massaging when you're in a bad mood, as the movements will be rough and ineffective.
Prepare a cream or lotion suitable for your skin type. Before use, ensure you are not allergic to it. Many people use baby cream or baby lotion; these products are indeed suitable for facial skin, but they can be too heavy for delicate skin and may clog pores.
Prepare your face for the procedure by removing makeup, cleansing your skin, and using a toner. Thermal baths help open pores and improve blood circulation. Steam your face over a hot herbal bath or place a hot towel on your face, ensuring it is not too hot for comfort.
Classic Massage Technique
Classic massage is suitable for women of all ages and can be done for wrinkle prevention and smoothing. Perform the classic massage in front of a mirror with clean hands after preparing your facial skin.
- Start with the upper eyelid. Slightly stretch the skin in different directions with two fingers to smooth out folds.
- Raise your eyebrows as if in surprise and stretch your lips into a smile without showing your teeth.
- Slightly smile, press the corners of your lips with your fingertips, and make circular movements first in one direction, then in the other. The pressure should not be strong.
- Pucker your lips and blow slightly.
- With your fingertips, stretch the folds near your nose to the corners of your eyes. Pucker your lips.
- Stretch the corners of your mouth in different directions with your index fingers, exposing your teeth.
- Slide your fingertips under your eyes, massaging the lower eyelid.
- Place 3-4 fingers of each hand on both sides of your forehead. Slightly move the skin toward your temples, smoothing expression lines.
You can perform the classic massage regularly, for example, after a bath. If done in the morning, it can reduce puffiness, diminish dark circles, and erase traces of lack of sleep.
Japanese Massage Technique
The beauty and youthfulness of Japanese women are not only due to proper nutrition but also to a special facial massage technique called Asahi. It is widely used in many countries. You can order such a massage in expensive beauty salons, but you can also learn to do it yourself.
Basic Movements
- Glide your fingertips from the middle of the forehead to the neck near the ear zone, and then down to the collarbone.
- For puffiness and wrinkles around the eyes, place the pads of your middle fingers on the upper eyelid at the inner corners of the eyes. With slight pressure, glide your fingers along the upper eyelid to the outer corners of the eyes. Hold for 3 seconds, then make a semicircle back to the inner corner, holding for another 3 seconds before returning to the outer corner along the lower eyelid. Repeat for about 1 minute.
- For wrinkles in the corners of the mouth and chin, place your index and middle fingers on the hollow of the chin, slightly pressing this area. Slowly move upward, bypassing the lips to the hollow under the nose. Press this area again. Repeat three times.
- For a beautiful facial contour, place the largest part of your palms on the chin and glide your hand to the tragus of the ear. Start the movement again from the chin, moving to the cheekbone, holding for a few seconds, then gliding to the ears.
- For a double chin, place open palms on the chin with fingers directed toward the ears. Pressing on the neck muscles, lift your palms upwards to the tragus of the ears.
- End each exercise with the basic movement.
After the massage, it is recommended to drink warm water and rest in a calm environment.
Chinese Massage Technique
The Chinese also care for their health and beauty by performing facial lifting massages to prevent and eliminate wrinkles.
- Start with the temples by pressing on them with your fingertips for 10 seconds. After each exercise, return to this point.
- Place fingers above your eyebrows so they join in the middle of the forehead. Press and glide your fingers to the temples, hold for a couple of seconds, and return to the starting position. This exercise helps with forehead wrinkles.
- To remove wrinkles around the nasolabial triangle, place your fingers at the edges of the nostrils and press for 10 seconds.
- Place fingers of one hand parallel to the floor above your head and the finger of the other hand under your lower lip. Press for 15 seconds. This exercise has a general strengthening effect on the body, rejuvenates, and prevents wrinkles.
Chinese massage takes about 3 minutes and can be done every day, for example, during breaks at work.
Spoon Massage Technique
An interesting massage technique involves using a regular tablespoon along with a herbal decoction, such as chamomile or calendula, and olive oil.
- Dip the spoon in cold decoction. First, apply it to the lower, then the upper eyelid.
- Puff your cheeks and lightly tap them with a heated spoon. Repeat 10 times. Ensure the spoon is not too hot to avoid burns.
- Slightly heat the spoon and grease it with olive oil. Apply it to the base of the eyebrows and, with circular motions, work the forehead area to the temples.
- Apply the heated spoon to the tip of the nose wings and tap the cheek area. Then dip the spoon in the decoction and go over this area again.
The special effect is achieved by alternating the temperature of the spoons. First, massage the face with heated tools, then cool them in the decoction and massage the problem areas again. This opens pores, reduces them, smooths wrinkles, and improves facial contour.
Italian Massage Technique
Italian facial contour massage can be performed no more than once a week. It effectively reduces skin firmness, wrinkles of any depth, helps to even out the facial contour, and eliminates jowls. This technique, developed by plastic surgeons, aims to preserve youth and is so effective that many doctors recommend it as an alternative to cosmetic surgeries.
However, this technique is difficult to perform independently and should be done by a specialist well-versed in its nuances. Incorrect application may not yield the desired results.
Facial Massage with Cupping Jars
Many women use cupping jars to rejuvenate and lift the face. This technique is similar to regular body massage. The vacuum created by the jar allows the skin to "breathe," improves blood circulation, lymph flow, and removes dead skin cells, evening out skin tone and smoothing wrinkles.
Use jars made from natural materials such as glass or rubber; avoid plastic, as it can react negatively with the skin.
Steps for Cupping Massage
- Always start with a warm-up. Apply a moisturizer to the skin and leave it on for 10 minutes. Lightly pat the skin with your fingertips to prepare it for the procedure and reduce the risk of damage.
- Perform the facial cupping massage in a specific direction. For the forehead, glide from the center to the temples. For the cheeks, move from the corners of the mouth to the ears. On the chin, use upward movements toward the earlobe.
- Keep the jar on the skin for no longer than 5 seconds. Repeat the movements 5-10 times for each area.
After the procedure, apply a nourishing cream to restore moisture and avoid exposure to sunlight for at least 1 hour.
Conclusion
Facial massage is a wonderful way to enhance your skincare routine and combat wrinkles effectively. It can be an enjoyable ritual that not only improves the condition of your skin but also offers a moment of relaxation and self-care. Ready to revitalize your skincare routine? Choose a technique that resonates with you and embrace the journey to youthful skin!
For an exceptional facial massage experience, consider visiting the iLuvMe massage salon in Dubai or booking a massage home service for added convenience. The skilled hands of a trained masseur can make all the difference in achieving the desired results, as their expertise ensures not only effective techniques but also a deep understanding of facial anatomy and skin types. Whether you're seeking relaxation, rejuvenation, or targeted treatment for specific concerns, a professional massage tailored to your needs can significantly enhance your skincare routine and promote overall well-being. Don't miss the chance to indulge in this transformative experience!