Your Complete Guide to Self Facial Massage

If you’ve ever had a facial at a beauty parlor, your favorite part is bound to be when the beautician massages your face all over with something that smells great. The combined effect of the aromatherapy from the product and the massage strokes can even put you to sleep! That is the magic of facial massage. Here is your complete guide to self facial massage that you can do at home with face tools available in the market.

Facial massage is just like regular body massage, except that it’s done on the face, and that it’s a little more gentle. Facial massage can be done by trained professionals or by yourself, and it can be done with your hands or tools like facial rollers. If you’d like to know more about self facial massage, read on, because we’ve got a complete guide for you!

Your Complete Guide to Self Facial Massage

Before starting any new beauty routine, the first thing you need to know is to gather information about it, especially about the various ways it’ll benefit you. Here are a few reasons you should opt for a self facial massage in your beauty routine.

Benefits of a Facial Massage

1. Boosts Circulation

One of the biggest benefits of a facial massage is improved flow of blood and oxygen to the skin. This increased blood flow keeps the skin looking healthy and youthful. The increased oxygen flow removes puffiness and promotes more collagen production.

2. Releases Toxins

The lymphatic system removes toxins naturally, and facial massage can hasten the process and give the natural system a boost. This helps drain out all the toxins from the face, which helps in getting rid of puffiness and under eye bags. It also reduces breakouts and increases skin renewal.

3. Slows down Ageing

Facial massage increases oxygen flow to all parts of the face, firming up the muscles and giving it a more contoured look. It also promotes the production of collagen which is responsible for younger-looking skin.

4. Improves Product Absorption 

When you massage your face with a product instead of simply applying it, it gets absorbed better. The natural heat from the hands along with the massage ensures the product gets in all the nooks and crannies.

5. Relieves Sinus Pressure

An accumulation of fluid in the sinuses can cause pain and discomfort, and massage can relieve this to some extent. It encourages the drainage of mucus and eases congestion and related headaches.

6. Reduces Scars

Facial massage can even reduce the appearance of scars due to burns or wounds. The increased blood flow evens out the skin tone and hastens the healing process, while also soothing the area.

7. Relieves Tension

Most of us hold on to tension in our faces, particularly in our eyebrows and forehead. This tension can lead to wrinkles, which is why facial massage can help. Massage soothes the sympathetic nervous system and helps relieve mental tension as well as muscle tension.

There are many types of facial massage, including the classical facial massage that most beauticians perform in parlors across the world. There are other specific massages like lymphatic drainage massage, Shiatsu, Gua Sha, Swedish massage, reflexology and acupressure. You can get any of these services at centers that offer them through trained professionals. However, you can very well give yourself a facial massage in the comfort of your own home. Here is a step by step tutorial for a self facial massage.

How to do a Self Facial Massage

Before starting a self facial massage, you need to follow a few preparatory steps:

• Tie back your hair and make sure you’re wearing loose clothes with an open neck.
• Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them well.
• Remove any makeup, wash your face a mild cleanser and pat dry.
• Get any tools, if using, like a jade roller.
• Choose the products to apply during the massage, like moisturizer, serum or oil.
• If you can, steam your face to open up the pores and make the massage more effective.

Now that you’re all set, it’s time to head straight into the massage!

Step 1

Choose the face oil/serum or a moisturizing cream according to your skin type. Apply the oil or serum all over the face, tapping gently to spread it around.

Step 2

Press your ring fingers on the brow bone. Move from the inner to the outer corner of the eyebrows. Then anchor your thumbs on the outer edge of the eyebrows and reverse the movement, moving towards the inner corner. Gently pinch your eyebrows as you reach the inner corner. 

Step 3

Press down firmly on the space between your eyebrows for a few seconds with the ring fingers. Then, using the middle three fingers, slide up and down the forehead several times, covering the area between the brow bone and the hairline.

Step 4

Use the index finger and middle finger to move in a circular motion from your forehead to the temples. Use circular motions to rub the finger tips into the temples.

Step 5

With the fingertips, massage the sides of your face, moving from the chin towards the forehead. Do this a few times. Then do the same motion starting from the chin and moving along the jaw lines. 

Step 6

Lightly pinch the center of your chin with the thumbs and forefingers. Then massage lightly in an upward motion towards the cheekbones.

Step 7

Press under the cheekbones using the index finger and middle finger. From there, massage using the fingertips towards the ears. For a more intense massage, press the knuckles into the face near the nose and move it across the cheeks towards the ears. 

Step 8

Next is the eye area which needs the utmost gentle care since this area is very delicate. Use only the ring finger and massage using soft, rolling motions from the inner corners of the eye to the outer corners. Then move from the outer eye towards the eyebrows.

Step 9

Massage the neck starting from the collarbone and moving upwards towards the face. For lymphatic drainage, go the opposite direction, starting from the area behind the ear lobes and moving down towards the collarbone.

Step 10

Gently tap all over the face using the finger tips and gently pinch the fleshy parts of the face.

MUST READ: HOW TO DO A SELF ABHYANGA AT HOME

How many times in a week can you do a self face massage?

It is recommended to do this massage for 3-5 minutes, about three times a week. While this completes a full self face massage, you can add on steps as per your requirement. Massaging specific acupressure points can give added benefits like better sleep, more relaxation and better sinus relief. Just tap on these areas on the face with acupressure points, about five to ten times:

• Between the eyebrows
• Under the eyes
• Temples
• In front of the ear opening
• Under the ear lobes
• Outside the nostrils
• Between the nose and upper lip

Tips for doing a Self Facial Massage

1. Always use lifting movements in an upward direction, against gravity
2. Be very gentle with the area around the eyes
3. Before bed is the best time for a self facial massage since night is when the body repairs itself.
4. Use light pressure if you have sensitive, oily or acne-prone skin
5. You can use jade rollers or rollers made with rose quartz that’s got many skin benefits.

Please note that aggressive or wrong massage techniques can cause sagging, muscle soreness or even nerve damage. Never massage over pimples as it can spread the bacteria all over your face. Apply a spot treatment to the breakout and massage around it carefully. Avoid facial massage if you’re ill, have a rash, wound or burn, including sunburn. If you suffer from hypertension, consult with your doctor before opting for a self facial massage. These were some tips on a complete guide to self facial massage that you can do at home with face tools available in the market.

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