If you’ve ever stumbled across the latest Instagram influencer account dedicated solely to facial massage techniques (things like lymphatic drainage massage) and been shocked at the number of loyal followers, you’re not alone. In fact, facial massage enthusiasts have amassed a staggering tribe.
As we spent so many hours staring back at (and criticizing) ourselves during virtual meetings, we’ve started paying more attention than ever to our skin and face. The Harvard business review states that “Zoom fatigue’ stems from how we process information over video [and the fact that] most of us are also staring at a small window of ourselves, making us hyper-aware of every wrinkle, expression, and how we might be interpreted”. So we had to ask our experts, does facial massage really work?
“It is true that facial massage can bring many positive benefits to the skin,” confirms Oriflame’s Scientist Michelle Mangan. “Aside from lymphatic drainage benefits (which is often the cause of skin sagging and puffiness), facial massage can help to increase circulation to help stimulate skin cell turnover. This is key to help keep your skin look smooth and healthy.”
So which technique is right for you, and how do you do it? Read on.
Why do it?
A stimulating face massage is easy to incorporate into your daily skin care routine. And when done right (and regularly!) the results can be plentiful: improved skin tone, better muscle contouring and a glowing complexion.
How do you do it?
Here, technology is your best friend. Wet your face and apply a pea sized amount of cleansing gel to each side of the face. Spread into a thin layer over the skin. Using your cleansing device, massage the brush head in circular motions around your face, stimulating blood flow to these areas. Spend approximately 20 seconds on the forehead and the remaining 40 seconds on the rest of the face (chin, cheeks, nose etc.). It only takes a minute and has been clinically proven to give users more radiant skin in only a few weeks!
Pro tip: If you don’t have the SkinPro Sonic 3-in-1 System, use your fingers. “Apply your regular serum or oil to your face and neck using gentle, circular motions with your fingers. You can also try a ‘tapping’ gesture if preferred. This will be enough to increase circulation, encourage lymphatic drainage and bring a healthy glow to your skin,” says Mangan.
LYMPH DRAINAGE MASSAGEE
Who’s it for?
People with tired-looking eyes.
Why do it?
When we stare at a computer all day, or squint regularly, our eye muscles tighten and tire. This can lead to fine lines forming at the outer-corners of our eyes. Acupressure (an ancient Chinese healing method) involves applying pressure to relieve strain, and in this case, relaxing the eye muscles to prevent wrinkle formation.
How do you do it?
Use your fingertips to gently apply pressure to the following areas:
1. Begin under your jaw bone, applying a light pressure to the tubes that run on either side of your neck. Unlike stimulating facial massage, you direct pressure downwards to drain, not upwards to tone.
2. Use a downward motion to run your fingers down either side of your nose and along the front and back of your ears.
3. Use your ring fingers to trace a C-shape around your orbital bone, patting from the inner corner or your eyebrow all the way around. This will help de-puff swollen eyes.
Pro tip: “(For more pressure) use your knuckles to gently massage the face and neck, always building up and adapting the pressure and length of the massage to your personal liking / skin feeling,” says Mangan.
ACUPRESSURE MASSAGEE
Who’s it for?
People with tired-looking eyes.
Why do it?
When we stare at a computer all day, or squint regularly, our eye muscles tighten and tire. This can lead to fine lines forming at the outer-corners of our eyes. Acupressure (an ancient Chinese healing method) involves applying pressure to relieve strain, and in this case, relaxing the eye muscles to prevent wrinkle formation.
How do you do it?
Use your fingertips to gently apply pressure to the following areas:
1. The inner corner of your eyes
2. The inner corner of your eyebrows
3. The supraorbital bone, found above your eyebrows, on your forehead
4. The outer corner of your eyes
5. Below the centre of your eyes
6. The inner corner of your eyes, on either side of your nose
Pro tip: “Facial massage should be performed daily, as a pleasant add-on to your current skin care routine. As with any good skin care routine, it will take time to see the best results; however, a decrease in puffiness, a healthy-looking glow and the feel-good factor should be felt instantly!” says Mangan
What’s more, facial massage can have positive effects on skin elasticity and firmness, if performed in combination with the right skin care routine.
“On its own, facial massage can help to encourage lymphatic drainage, as mentioned above, which is often the cause of skin sagging and puffiness. This biological process tends to decline as we age, so facial massage can play a helpful role here. However, more powerful is the evidence that suggests facial massage can help active ingredients penetrate faster and deeper into the skin. In this sense, it is important that you have a skin care routine designed to deliver the intended benefits to your skin, to which facial massage can act as a beneficial add-on.”
