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Facial massages are simply a series of hand movements such as tapping, stroking, and kneading that are made to the face. There are many benefits to facial massages, such as relaxation, invigoration, draining toxins, and promoting youthful skin. You can certainly enjoy the enhanced benefits of a professional facial, but a simple three-to-five-minute DIY facial massage can be extremely helpful to your skin.
Relaxation
A natural result of any form of massage is relaxation. When we massage the muscles and tendons in the face, they naturally relax, relieving tension and stress that we normally hold inside. As the muscles in our faces relax, we also tend to relax the rest of our bodies, enjoying the sensation. As stress and tension is relieved, facials can also help to reduce headaches or migraines. If you’re trying an at home massage, you can look at guides that help target pressure points.
Flushes Out Toxins
Facial massages are also stimulating to the skin and help improve blood circulation. Stimulating the lymph nodes underneath your skin can help distribute oxygen to your skin and flush out toxins that congest your skin. These toxins can come from our environment, makeup, lack of sleep and more.
Speaking of toxins, acne is another form of toxic sludge building up on your skin. By improving your blood circulation, you release these toxins and help to reveal softer, smoother skin. Many facials use facial oils that can help the natural healing process and soothe the skin.
Another positive benefit of facial massage is that it helps to drain congestion in the nose and skin. The warmth from your hands helps to break down mucus. The movement of the massage helps to stimulate natural drainage.
Anti-Aging
Because facial massages relax the muscles and fight tension, they help to fight fine lines and wrinkles that form from facial tension and repetitive strain. Many massages use moisturizing lotions and oils that help promote the skin’s elasticity and hydration, further helping to minimize fine lines and wrinkles that occur as we age.
One benefit of skin stimulation is collagen production. Collagen promotes the skin’s elasticity that smooths the skin, reduces wrinkles, and helps prevent skin sagging. With increased skin elasticity, your skin is able to fight free radicals that cause premature aging.
Another sign of aging is under eye bags and sagging. Dark circles are often caused by fluid in the skin around the eyes. Facial massages can help to release that fluid and minimize the appearance of dark circles and tighten the skin around your eyes.
DIY Facial Massage
Massage the chin, jawline, and cheeks using upward circular motions. Use your pointer and middle fingers to move firmly from the chin to the ear. Next, smooth the forehead with a firm movement, starting at the eyebrows and moving up towards the hairline. Make small, circular movements starting in the center of the eyebrows and moving out towards the temples. Finish by delicately tapping the skin under the eyes, moving out towards the temples.
Tools & Products
Jade rollers and jade gua sha stones have continued to rise in popularity as more Westerners try these ancient Chinese massage tools. Gua sha uses a smooth jade or crystal stone to scrape the skin in a firm movement to boost circulation. Whether you prefer a quick and easy jade roller or more intensive gua sha stone is entirely up to you.
The goal of gua sha is to relax and soothe the skin, which means any movement using the tool should be soft and smooth. Use the smooth, flat side of the gua sha tool with light to medium pressure. Your movements should be slow and mindful. You can move the gua sha tool in long, smooth strokes on the muscle and to wiggle it to massage the joint and tendons. (Tip: prep the skin with the Rosewater Toner to hydrate and soothe.)
Facials are often used to help the skin absorb serums and creams. For example, you could apply a drop or two of Rosehip Oil to the skin and use the roller or gua sha overtop to help the skin absorb the oil. Creams and lotions can be applied at the end of your massage when the skin has opened up and relaxed.
