Give your face a workout - Bangalore Mirror

[massage]

By Kanak Khanna
Besides making you feel as light as a feather, a face massage has many other benefits


A facial gives you that healthy glow but the best part of it is the face massage. A face massage not only includes techniques to stimulate the pressure points on your face and neck but it also relaxes you and drains the stress away. It’s like a workout for your face, say experts, increasing blood flow and reducing puffiness.
Techniques used in face massages
Vibration: This massage technique is used to restore soft tissues. It helps in relaxing the muscles.
Cupping: In this technique, special cups are put on the skin to create suction. It is done to increase blood flow, decrease pain and relax your muscles.

Hot and Cold Stone: This technique involves placing heated or cold stones on the body to decrease pain and relax stiff muscles.
Tapping: Tapping massage technique is used to relax stressed muscles by triggering nerves to energise the nervous system.
Knuckle Kneading: In this technique, intense pressure is applied to reach the tissues under the deeper layers of the skin. This is a common technique to open up tight muscles, increase flexibility and reduce pain.
Types of face massages
Swedish: This is the most common type of massage. It includes soft and folding strokes on the uppermost layers of the muscles. This massage is relaxing and energising.

Shiatsu: Shiatsu means ‘finger pressure’; in this, the therapist uses a different level of pressure on certain points of the body. This massage helps in opening blockages in the muscles.

Remedial: Remedial massage works as a healing treatment to provide relief to sore muscles that are damaged, knotted or impaired. It improves overall health by relaxing the tensed muscles of the body.

Acupressure: It is a specific massage technique that aims to relax muscles, decrease pain and increase blood circulation in the body.

Gua sha: This massage technique involves using a quartz stone or a jade roller on the skin in an upward motion to relax the stiff muscles and promote tissue drainage.

Benefits of a face massage

1. Reduces signs of ageing
A face massage not only tones facial muscles but also helps reduce the signs of ageing. Regular face massages can also help in reducing fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and pigmentation. It improves blood circulation leading to an increase in the production of collagen that helps build the skin structure. Face massages help improve skin elasticity making you look younger.

2. Smooth skin
Did you know that a face massage can give you soft and smooth skin while keeping it moisturised and nourished? It helps eliminate toxins, prevents skin from sagging and gives your skin a smooth texture within a few weeks.

3. Reduces acne and scars
Massaging the face helps in cleansing the skin by flushing out toxins. When pores get clean, it keeps acne at bay. With regular massaging of skin, the skin texture and complexion gets better thereby, reducing acne scars too.

4. Better absorption
A face massage will increase the effectiveness of products. Apply a serum or moisturiser and massage the face so that the skin absorbs the product better.

5. Cleanses the face
A face massage can help clear dirt, oil, whiteheads, blackheads and dead cells from the skin and unclog the pores by getting rid of the product build-up. Gently massaging the skin will help in removing the impurities from the face, and keeping it healthy and clean.

6. Relieves tension
When you feel stressed or tired, creases appear in your forehead. A face massage will help in releasing the tension and keep your face tight and energised.

7. Relieves pain
A face massage not only reduces stress and gives you soft and smooth skin but it relieves pain caused by stress and anxiety. A massage on the pressure points of your forehead can make you feel as light as a feather.

8. Brightens complexion
As you know, face massages increase blood circulation to your face and help your skin appear brighter. It’s the best workout for your skin.