Facial Massage Preserves Youthful Skin

A massage soothes tense muscles and can do wonders for our skin's overall appearance especially on our face where stress and the aging process can cause wrinkles, puffy eyes, dry or sagging skin, and dark spots.

A facial massage, which helps to preserve our youthful appearance, provides nourishment to the skin and facial muscles in five ways. It enhances blood circulation to the face, optimizes epidermal cell turnover, tightens facial muscles, delivers nutrients to the skin cells and rids the skin of impurities and toxins.

Getting the right amount of blood flowing to the face produces a radiant, healthy complexion. Improper or inadequate circulation leaves the skin looking dull whereas optimum blood flow causes the skin to appear flushed resulting in a healthier looking complexion. An established facial massage regimen regulates the blood flow at an optimum level.

Face massages are an essential element to maintaining healthy skin, which is soft and supple, as we age. Enhancing the blood flowing to the face not only enables a more efficient delivery of nutrients to the skin and tightens facial muscles but also decreases the amount of toxins present. Providing the skin with optimum nutrients and removing impurities allows for better retention of moisture, which is a key factor for delaying the signs of aging and minimizing environmental damage to the face from UV rays. Simply put, an "exercised" face is better equipped to deal with the aging process and environment damages it endures daily.

Massage Tips

A good face massage should begin with a thorough cleansing of the face and hands to remove surface dirt. You may want to scrub your fingertips with a soft brush, as you don't want to be massaging dirt and grime into your pores.

Contrary to the adage "no pain, no gain", a proper face massage shouldn't hurt. Apply gentle pressure throughout the massage, moving your fingers in a firm and swift manner.

Massaging Problematic Facial Spots

Boosting Circulation

Fill small bowl with warm water and a few drops of an essential oil such as thyme oil, which boosts circulation. Dip fingers into water and oil bath; apply a few drops of moisturizer at the pressure points under the eyes, brow bones, temples, sides of the mouth and nose and along jawbones and forehead. Using small circular motions gently massage moisturizer into the skin.

Soothing Tired Eyes

While resting your elbows on a flat, hard surface, close your eyes and cup your palms over them. Take slow, deep breaths for several minutes.

Sculpting Cheeks

Using your index and middle fingers, work along the underside of the cheekbones, pressing with your fingers for five seconds, then release. Repeat five times.

Smoothing Out Frown Lines

Place thumbs on the pressure points above your brows outer edge and index fingers above the inner edge. Pinch rhythmically. Repeat five times.

De-Puffing the Eyes

To disperse the toxins causing bags and circles under the eyes, massage the skin gently with your ring finger. Start at the bridge of your nose and work clockwise around the sockets five times.

Preventing Double Chins

Place the thumbs under your chin and your fingertips above it. Pinch along the jawbone to the earlobe. Then press and hold for five seconds. Repeat 5 times.