Whilst massage has been used for centuries we tend to think of face massage as something new. Yet a look back through the archives at beauty salon advertising shows it was popular many decades ago.
The principle behind the treatment is the same as any massage; it's a therapy that soothes the muscles, promotes blood flow, dispels toxins and improves our overall wellbeing.
As beauty salons became more popular, many started offering face massage, advertising it as a way of firming and lifting the skin. They said it increased nutrition to the skin and, through the friction of the skin, 'caused an improvement in colouring and general appearance'.
All of this is true; face massage also stimulates the lymphatic system to carry away waste, boosts the nervous system, and helps eradicates fine lines.
There are 43 muscles in the face and we use them all every day. When we use or overuse the muscles in our bodies we immediately think of booking a massage yet we don't do the same for our face.
A regular face massage will help relax those muscles which, in turn, can prevent painful conditions like sinus or toothache. It also gives the face the ability to heal itself. By boosting blood flow and oxygen the skin will regenerate much quicker.
Many people complain of puffiness in their face, especially after overindulging on rich food or eating too much salt. The firm circular strokes of a face massage will help drain the face and reduce that puffy look.
By strengthening our underlying muscle tissue and firming the skin we can improve facial contours whilst diminishing fine lines. In fact, a regular face massage could be an alternative to Botox or other cosmetic injectables.
Experts say you can get more out of your face massage by adopting a healthy diet, drinking lots of water and exercising. Doesn't that sound more appealing than undergoing painful and expensive plastic surgery later in life?
A facial massage treatment usually uses beneficial oils which contain important vitamins, minerals and nutrients. These nourish and moisturise the skin whilst some, like coconut and sweet almond, also tone and tighten the skin to give it a youthful glow.
In conclusion, it's clear a face massage is highly restorative and gets results by stimulating the body to do what comes naturally. This will help cut down on expensive lotions and potions in the future. A face massage is relaxing, nurturing and extremely beneficial, boosting your physical and emotional wellbeing with no side effects.
In recent years there's been an addition to the range of face massage therapies and that's facial gymnastics. You've probably seen this advertised and had a bit of a giggle at the concept. What this does is take the concept of massage a step further by incorporating facial exercises to reduce and prevent wrinkles.
Facial gymnastics can improve sagging cheeks and jowls and wrinkles around the nose. When you book a face massage you may well be given a set of facial exercises to do at home as a follow-up.
You may also be offered a Japanese or Tanaka face massage. Created by famous beautician Yukuko Tanaka, this massage stimulates the lymph glands in the face to quickly dispel toxins and excess fluid.
Tanaka face massage is also a great treatment for pigmentation. This common problem is caused by decreased collagen and too many impurities in the skin. Face massage helps remove the impurities and stimulate collagen production.
It can also help reduce the appearance of broken capillaries, especially if you use almond oil for the massage.
Whether you're looking for a clearer complexion or you want to fight the signs of ageing a face massage is the way to go.