If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. She specializes in Mohs surgery and cutaneous oncology. But this week, I wondered if face massages actually work. I had high hopes, but more than that, I genuinely looked forward to giving my skin the undivided attention of a facial massage every single day.
Read on for my transformative experience of incorporating facial massage into my daily routine for a week. Recent popularity in the Western world has many skincare enthusiasts seeking facial massage , an art that has existed for centuries in countries like China, Mexico, and Sweden. Shari Auth describes facial massage as a centuries-long practice in Asia, going on to explain that "these techniques were popularized by the aristocracy of China and heralded for their anti-aging benefits.
By definition, facial massage is a practice from ancient Chinese medicine meant to stimulate circulation in the skin by manipulating and rubbing skin on the face to drain the lymphatic system. David Peters , a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine, explains that "the points and techniques used represent the combined knowledge passed down to each generation.
While people did not know anything about the lymphatic system, the collagen matrix, or our other modern understandings of the faceβthey intuitively developed techniques as part of a ritual or meditative practice. Meet the Expert. Studies have suggested that facial massage has strong effects on stress alleviation, or psychological relaxation. For other potential benefits, like collagen production , I needed some help from an expert understanding.
After my week-long experiment, I planned to schedule my massages in my calendar. It felt good to make time in my routine to relax, set realistic expectations, and massage out tension from the day. The resultsβoverall luminance and a sharper jawlineβfelt like an added bonus. Starting with a clean, well-oiled canvas is key for facial massage. Pulling back your hair with a cloth headband is not mandatory, but does increase the spa-like feel instantly.
