Facial massage: benefits, contraindications, tips

Facial massage is an excellent complement to basic skin care. With regular massage sessions, the result is not long in coming. Lift a second chin, reduce the number and depth of wrinkles, remove “crows feet,” rejuvenate the overall appearance of the face – this is all about massage.

17 useful properties of facial massage

  1. It improves blood microcirculation. It stimulates the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the epidermis.
  2. Gives the skin a healthy even tone.
  3. Reduces acne and inflammation.
  4. Makes pigmentation less pronounced.
  5. Calms swelling.
  6. Relaxes the muscles. This is not only good for the overall appearance of the face, but also reduces headaches and gets rid of hypertonicity in the masticatory muscles.
  7. Increases the elasticity of the skin.
  8. Makes scars and scars smaller.
  9. Smoothes wrinkles and skin breakouts.
  10. Uplifts and relaxes.
  11. Strengthens the vasculature of the face, neck and décolleté area.
  12. Relieves tired eyes.
  13. “Lifts up the face oval.
  14. Helps to remove dead cells from the top layer.
  15. Controls the production of sebum.
  16. Allows useful ingredients of cosmetics to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin and increase the effectiveness of care.
  17. Improves sleep and gets rid of insomnia.

The beauty of facial massage is that it can be done at home with the help of improvised means, as well as by a cosmetologist.

The most popular types of facial massage at home

Hand massage allows you to quickly reduce puffiness and even out the complexion. It should be performed with patting movements with the fingertips. All movements are directed away from the middle of the face and made strictly along the massage lines. Along the closed eyelids move from the outer corner of the eye to the inner corner of the lower eyelid, and vice versa on the upper eyelid.

Massage with ice. This type of massage requires only an ice cube made of ordinary water or decoction of chamomile. The cube should be led along the massage lines. This type of massage is very popular, but it often makes mistakes. Ice cube massage is strictly contraindicated in couperose!

Massage with a massager is considered the best alternative to the previous methods, because it gives a more pronounced effect. Massager has an excellent lymphatic drainage effect, quickly tightens the skin and relaxes. It is desirable to start doing such a massage with 2-3 times a week, gradually bringing it to the daily routine. It is necessary to move along the massage lines, starting from the neck and ending with the forehead. Along each line 10-15 times in one direction.

How to get ready for the massage?

  • Clean the face, neck and decollete with foam or other cleanser.
  • Apply toner, essence, serum and other products.
  • Spread your moisturizer over your face, neck and décolleté and gently smooth it over the massage lines.
  • Feel free to proceed to the massage – a moisturized skin massage is easy and pleasant. If you use a cosmetic massager, the cream won’t “cling” to your skin and stretch it.

Three tips for giving a facial massage

  • A facial massage can be done at any time of the day. But the morning session is preferable: it helps to remove puffiness after sleep, wake up and tune in to an active day.
  • Before any massage one should drink a glass of warm water 10-20 minutes before the session.
  • Relaxing music during the massage not only calms and improves the emotional background, but also removes tension from the facial muscles.

Contraindications to facial massage

  • Allergies or dermatitis with compromised skin integrity.
  • Numerous moles, papillomas.
  • Scratches, abrasions, cuts on the face.
  • Large painful pimples on the face, pustules.
  • Active stage of couperose.
  • Acute neuritis of the facial nerves.
  • Hypertensive diseases.
  • Cancer diseases of the nearby organs.
  • Gonorrhoea and sinusitis.
  • Acne exacerbation.

If you do not have the above contraindications, facial massage will be a great addition to your skin care. The main thing is to devote time to this procedure regularly every day or at least every other day. Then you will see results in a couple of weeks.