One of the most sensitive parts of your skin is your facial skin, always exposed to damages, weariness, toxins, and pollution. There are various causes that can make your face skin look saggy and puffy during the day and also accelerate wrinkle formation in the long term.
In addition, the human face has 43 muscles, each of which is responsible to perform a special duty so that you can talk, smile, frown, breathe, and so on. Similar to any other body muscles, these muscles should be stimulated from time to time in order to be free of tension and be capable of having their best performance.
The combination of softer and smoother skin and also stronger facial muscles can make you look younger, brighter and more beautiful. Both qualities can be attained through an efficient facial massage.
What is Facial Massage
Facial massage is performed almost similar to any other deep tissue massage for body, and in some cases is included in the full body massage. Facial massage therapists use firm, upward, and stimulating strokes usually in gliding movements performed mostly by the surface of their palms and fingertips. Facial massage is considered an anti-aging treatment which has short-term and long-term benefits for the skin and muscles of one’s face, including fighting wrinkle formation and slowing down the aging process.
A facial massage can be performed at a professional massage clinic, a spa, or even at home using any proper lotion, oil, or cream from special aromatic massage oils to your own moisturizer cream. There are also facial massage techniques, such as acupressure or shiatsu, which do not require any massage oils or lotions.
Depending on what the massage client asks for, the massaged area can be extended to the neck and upper chest areas, with similar advantages. A number of these advantages are listed in the following section.
What Does Facial Massage Do
Facial massage has numerous benefits for the facial skin and muscles. Here are a few:
- More efficient oxygen and nutrients delivery: Massaging your face can stimulate blood circulation which can give you a brighter and softer skin. In fact, massage manipulation on your face skin can facilitate the transition of oxygen and required nutrients by your facial blood vessels. Oxygen helps your skin produce more collagen, the most abundant and structural protein in the human body which can make your skin brighter and healthier. In addition, receiving a higher level of oxygen can also perform a natural facelift.
- Eradicate harmful toxins: Enhanced blood circulation not only improves oxygen and nutrient delivery but also betters the elimination of toxic materials built up in your facial cells. All is done through your lymphatic vessels which can significantly be stimulated by a facial massage.
- Removing muscle tension: During our stressful and busy days, we usually squint, squinch, and frown more and longer than our facial muscles can normally handle. These pressures on facial muscles can lead to muscle tension and stress which can cause lines and wrinkles on the skin in the long run. Facial massage can remove the tension and stress away from your face, and decrease the wrinkle formation speed. Needless to say, less stress and anxiety in your face muscles can give you a better mood.
- Drain away extra fluid and congestion: Another beneficial effect of facial massage is the removal of the fluid accumulated in your facial muscles, help to lift them up, and therefore eliminate your skin puffiness. Moreover, it can reduce your allergy and sinus symptoms by promoting facial drainage and diminishing sinus congestion, which itself can greatly help to reduce your sinus-related headache and discomfort.
The aforementioned advantages are the most prominent benefits of facial massage. However, a relaxing facial massage has also other positive effects, including lower levels of stress and anxiety, mental relaxation, reduced premenstrual syndrome (PMS) including PMS water retention, relaxation of eye muscles and reducing eye strain, as well as relief from migraine headaches and facial pains.
Who Can Give You a Facial Massage And Where
Almost everyone, anywhere! From a highly skilled massage therapist to a cosmetologist or an esthetician can carry out facial massages. It can also be performed in various places, from the public to private, in beauty salons or spas and clinics. Even you can perform it on your own face at home. However, make sure that you are properly trained by a spa massage therapist or skin care expert before you embark on conducting it on your own skin.
What Else to Know About a Facial Massage Session
- You can enjoy an absolutely comfortable massage treatment: Good news for rather shy people: as the therapy is performed on your skin, neck, and upper chest, there is no need to take your clothes off! Also, you can enjoy a relaxing massage in any position you like. You can sit on special massage chairs or lie down on massage tables or even a clean and comfortably cushioned floor while you are receiving the therapy.
- Discussion any complication with your therapist: Facial massage is a safe and harmless treatment; however, in case of any special complications such as any recent facial surgery, inflammation, and bruises, or any kind of skin problems such as acne, eczema, or psoriasis, you should definitely discuss it with your therapist before the massage session is started. If you have open sores, cuts, or boils on your face, you should definitely avoid having a facial massage.
- Be very cautious and hygienic: Your face and head are one of the most sensitive parts of your body. You have to exercise great caution when you want them to be massaged. There are a few points you need to consider:
- In case of wearing any contact lenses, cautiously remove them before receiving massage.
- Make sure that the therapist’s hands are washed with soap and clean water.
- Make sure that the therapist gently applies cleanser on your skin and removes it before applying the massage. They usually do it with facial sponges or wet cotton pads.
- Be open with your massage therapist about any pain or soreness: Talk to your therapist about any extra pain or uncomfortable feeling you experience during the massage as soon as you feel them. Moreover, you can talk to them if, for any reason, you do not feel comfortable with the massage lotions or oils applied on your face.
