How to do a facial massage at home?

Facial massage is not only a pleasant and relaxing procedure, but also very useful. In a good salon, a course of such procedures will cost a lot of money, but you can do an effective massage at home, on your own. True, this type of massage requires separate preparation, since it has many nuances. In this article we will talk about how to carry out different types of facial and self-massage.

The skin of the face and neck is very complex, they are literally permeated with nerve receptors, which are responsible for a variety of temperature and tactile sensations. Massaging allows you to increase blood flow to the skin and stimulate receptors. The nerve endings will immediately respond with a series of impulses to the brain and nerve centers. As a result, one or another "action program" is launched in the body and it begins to function under somewhat different conditions.

It is well known that massage is an effective measure for the correction and treatment of many neurological ailments, diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Facial massage should not be underestimated either: if applied correctly, massage techniques will produce an effect that exceeds the effect of even the most expensive anti-aging cosmetics.

No anti-aging cream, facial wash or lifting, by definition, can replace massage. Therefore, the most reliable is the kind of care in which good products are combined with massage. It is simple, it is quite possible to do it for yourself.

It is quite easy to assess the benefits of such procedures. It is enough to understand that increased blood circulation in the skin leads to an improvement in local immunity, as a result of which pimples become rare "guests". The lymph flow improves, the metabolism becomes more intense, active blood flow allows the facial tissues to be better saturated with oxygen.

As a result, the complexion becomes healthier, fine wrinkles are smoothed out, deep ones become less pronounced, fat metabolism is normalized. Even the most oily skin is balanced and dry skin is naturally hydrated.

Some argue that good massage can be a perfectly acceptable alternative to plastic surgery. There is some truth in this, but only a fraction - massage techniques allow you to get rid of minor defects. It is clear that a triple chin and saggy bags under the eyes will not be overcome by massage. But even in this case, there will certainly be a certain corrective effect.

The skin of the face is aging because the synthesis of collagen and elastin in the deeper layers of the dermis slows down. Massage allows you to give a "push" to this process - the substances necessary for the elasticity and freshness of the skin begin to be produced more actively.

Facial massage, if done correctly, is really capable of working wonders, and the older the woman, the more pronounced the effect of this effect will be (so many local “problems” have not yet accumulated on the young skin of a 20-year-old girl). Several useful aspects can be highlighted:

• stimulation of receptors improves the state of the nervous system;
• a pronounced anti-aging effect is observed;
• the outlines of the oval of the face are tightened;
• the condition of the skin improves - it becomes smoother, softer and more elastic, the manifestations of acne diminish;
• vessels become stronger;
• puffiness is significantly reduced.

In addition to all of the above, facial massage is a relaxation procedure that will allow you to relax and restore strength and mood after a busy day.

Like any massage procedure, this type of massage has not only its advantages, but also contraindications. In a salon or a cosmetology clinic, where a woman applies for such a service, a dermatologist is able to assess the totality of prerequisites for possible complications. At home, especially if a woman is far from medicine in general, it is not easy to understand whether it is possible to do facial massage or whether it is better to refrain from it.

If safety requirements are neglected, the effect of the procedures will not be at all what a woman expects - her face will not only not improve, but negative changes may occur in the whole body as a whole.

Therefore, before starting a home facial massage course, it is very important to familiarize yourself with the list of contraindications for such manipulation.

• The facial nerve is damaged. If a woman has had or is having problems with the condition of the facial nerve due to an inflammatory disease or injury, she should not do a home massage. You need a neurologist's consultation, and, most likely, a therapeutic massage will be prescribed, which is done by professional massage therapists for completely different purposes.

• Herpetic infection. If at the current time there are herpes sores on the skin (manifestations of herpes simplex of the first type), then you should refrain from massage so as not to spread the infection. In a state of remission, massage can be performed if the therapist gives permission to do so.

• Eczema. Both dry and exudative eczema indicate the presence of an autoimmune pathological process in the female body. If rashes are observed on the face, massage is contraindicated until the underlying disease is cured.

• Fungal skin lesions. We are talking about any fungal infections caused by a wide variety of pathogenic fungi. Massage in this case is fraught with the spread and increase of the affected area.You need to contact a dermatologist or infectious disease specialist, undergo a course of treatment with antifungal drugs, and only then talk with a doctor about the possibility of self-massage of the face for cosmetic purposes.

• Violations of hemostasis. If a woman has impaired blood clotting, even minor wounds cause rather severe bleeding, and at the slightest touch of the skin with pressure, hematomas are formed, massage and self-massage of the facial area is not recommended. You need to go to a hematologist and get treatment. Also, do not massage while taking anticoagulant drugs.

• Cardiovascular ailments, thrombosis. In women with acute pathologies of the heart and with most types of heart and vascular defects, massage can cause malfunction of the cardiovascular system. Facial massage is contraindicated in women with a history of thrombosis and strokes.

• Tumor processes in the body. The presence of a malignant tumor is an absolute contraindication to facial massage. If the neoplasm is benign, then a preliminary consultation with the attending physician is needed, since there are tumors that are prone to degeneration into malignant ones, and it is better to refrain from manipulations with them.

• Hypertension. The degree and stage of the disease does not matter. All types of the disease are a reason for refusing facial massage due to the increased risks of a hypertensive crisis.

• Any viral infections, bacterial diseases in the acute stage. These are relative contraindications to massage, since a woman may well begin to undergo a massage course after the disease has been cured.

• Pyoderma, purulent eruptions or individual elements on the skin of the face. This group of contraindications includes not only purulent pimples, but also boils, carbuncles and other ailments. Massage is possible only after skin treatment and restoration.

A large number of moles on the face, papillomas.

Postoperative period.

Recently performed cosmetic procedures: chemical peeling, thread lifting, hardware cleaning.

If it is difficult to assess your health on your own, do not be too lazy to visit your local therapist. Any qualified doctor will easily answer your question.

It is imperative to properly prepare for the main massage. In this case, it does not matter what kind of massage is planned to be carried out. The preparatory steps are always the same. Let's consider their algorithm.

Remove decorative cosmetics from your face, wash your skin thoroughly with warm water, dry with a soft napkin or towel. Ignoring this stage will most likely lead to clogging of the pores of the skin with particles of decorative cosmetics and dirt, which will be the beginning of the appearance of unpleasant and ugly blackheads, which are also prone to infection and subsequent inflammation.

Do a neat hairstyle, remove your hair so that it does not fall on your face, does not interfere with you, and does not get tangled. It is best to collect them in a ponytail or a bun at the back of the head. If the haircut is short, use a special medical cap, you can buy it at any pharmacy.

In cases where the type of massage involves the use of oil or cream, be sure to enlarge the pores - make a simple steam bath, steam your face, you can use a scrub to clean the pores if the skin is oily or combination.

Apply a soft towel dampened with warm water to your face for five minutes. This will help improve blood circulation and gently prepare the skin for massage treatments.

Check if your hands are clean. It is best to wash them with antibacterial soap. They should be dry and warm at the beginning of the massage. If your fingers are cold from birth, rub your palms and fingers intensively to warm them up.

Remove chains from your neck, earrings from your ears, rings and bracelets from your hands.

On this, the initial training can be considered completed. It's time to move on to the second stage, preceding this or that massage technique.

Apply to the skin of the face a product that will facilitate sliding and nourish the dermis with vitamins. You can use fortified milk, but better - a special massage oil for the face and décolleté. It is better to refuse a fatty cream, for example, a baby cream. Remember that aloe gel, mousses are more suitable for women with combination and oily skin type. For those with normal skin types, both oils and moisturizing creams are suitable. For women with dry skin, oils and greasy creams can be used for massage. If the skin is especially sensitive, prone to allergies, massage is done with natural vegetable oils (peach, for example, or olive) or petroleum jelly.

Apply a suitable product with gentle, light strokes, stroking each part of the face along the lines directed from the center of the face to the edge (from the center of the forehead to the temples, from the nose to the ears, from the center of the chin to the auricles). Massage lightly to nourish and prepare skin for 5-10 minutes. You can listen to pleasant music and relax. The more relaxed at this moment all the facial muscles are, the better the effect after the session will be.

Warm up your face. Tap lightly with your fingertips on your forehead, chin, and cheeks. Bring the lower jaw a little forward and let it "hang down", relax it, tap the skin under the chin with your fingers. Massage your cheeks with light circular movements with open palms. With the back of your hands, stroke the skin along the line of the lower part of the face from the chin to the ears from bottom to top.

The preparatory "warm-up" lasts about 5 minutes. After that, you are ready to start the main session. It's time to choose the type and technique.

There are quite a few different types and techniques of facial massage. The choice of methodology depends on what goals you set. A rejuvenating, anti-aging or firming massage is not like a deep, healing one. Today there are several of the most popular techniques, but it should be borne in mind that new techniques appear regularly.

Let's dwell on some types of especially popular and effective massages.

• Classical. This complex of techniques allows you to suspend trophic processes in the skin, as well as soften it and make it cleaner and more elastic. The complex is based on stroking, rubbing, kneading and vibration action, like any classic massage.

• Plastic. This is a modeling massage, or as professional cosmetologists like to call it, “sculptural”. It allows you to remove unnecessary things, tighten the oval of the face, form new contours and outlines, correct an insignificant or beginning double chin. Based on intense rubbing and pressing, translational pressure. It is recommended for women over 50-55 years old, as well as for all whose forms need correction.

• Japanese (shiatsu). This massage belongs to the category of acupressure. It is carried out with your fingertips according to the scheme of biologically active points of the facial zone. Each point is acted upon in circles, by pressing and holding, tapping for 5-10 seconds. Movements are allowed only along the lymph flow.

• Vacuum. For such a massage, you will additionally need a vacuum facial massager. It is installed on a specific area of ​​the face and each of them is worked on for 5 minutes: forehead, cheeks, chin. You should not install the vacuum massager on the space under the chin, and you should also not massage your mouth and neck area. All movements are done exclusively in the direction of the massage lines.

• Manual lymphatic drainage. This massage has a pronounced rejuvenating effect. Techniques can be any: rubbing, stroking, circular and arcuate, as long as they all follow the direction of the lymph flow. These treasured lines are shown in the diagram.

• Hardware or ultrasonic massage is not possible at home. Such procedures require expensive equipment and a specialist who knows how to work with it. But you can also achieve the effect at home by doing the right massage, in addition to fingers, with other auxiliary devices, for example, sticks or a roller, as well as using natural remedies. Massage with honey is very popular. If there is no allergy, you can try it.

Whatever massage you perform, it should be strictly adhere to general rules that will help make procedures safe and beneficial.

• You shouldn't do facial massage every day. That is unnecessary. The optimal frequency is considered to be the frequency of sessions every other day or two days later. Women after 25 years can be limited to one or two sessions per week, after 30 years - you need to do 2-3 sessions per week, after 40 - at least three, after 45 - 3-4 sessions.
• Massage is done not when you want or when the time comes, but in courses. Usually 10-15 sessions, with the repetition rate indicated above. After your last session, take a break for 3-4 weeks. For women after 45-50 years, the duration of the break can be reduced to 3 weeks.
• The duration of one session, together with the preparatory stages, should not exceed 20 minutes. After finishing the procedure, give yourself a few minutes to rest. Lie down, relax the muscles of your face, and only then you can go to wash.
• In the cold season, massage before bed. In summer, you can carry out the procedure at any time, because after half an hour you can go outside without the risk of spasm of heated and dilated blood vessels.
• Change techniques, alternate courses. If 10 sessions of Japanese massage are left behind, devote the next course to Chinese techniques, Tibetan massage or pinch massage (if you have problems with acne). The third course is a new technique. Gradually, you will understand which of the techniques is more suitable for your face.

Many people note that the classic and Japanese techniques are the easiest and most effective, good reviews about the lymphatic drainage technique. The result is usually noticeable after 2-3 sessions.

Allergic reactions, clogging of skin pores do not occur as often as cosmetologists warn when talking about home massage. This is understandable - cosmetologists have to make money on something, and therefore it is beneficial for them to support myths about the dangers and consequences of self-massage of the face.

How to do facial massage at home, see the next video.