Classic facial massage - all stages and secrets of the procedure

To ensure the normal condition of the muscles and skin of the face, massage is recommended. Today, a huge number of techniques have been developed that are used to perform this task.

If there is a need for a gentle impact, it is recommended to use a classic facial massage.

The benefits of classic massage

The principle of the technique is based on gentle pressure on the skin with your fingers. To achieve the sliding effect, special means are used. This can be massage oil (slightly warmed) or a rich cream. Sessions are conducted with the aim of activating biochemical processes and restoring water balance. A relaxing effect is also noted, helping to stabilize the psycho-emotional background after suffering stress.

Classic massage refers to cosmetic restorative procedures. Due to the ability to influence subcutaneous processes, manipulations provide a healing effect.

During the massage course, the following results can be achieved:

• smoothing out small wrinkles;
• removal of swelling;
• removal of excess fluid, along with which waste and toxins come out;
• improving blood flow to capillaries;
• enrichment of tissues with nutrients supplied with oxygen;
• smoothing folds and wrinkles;
• increased muscle tone;
• color alignment;
• elimination of double chin.

Thanks to increased blood flow to tissues, metabolic and regenerative functions are activated. Facial features acquire the correct shape, the contour is aligned. Massaging the nasolabial part and chin gives the lips an attractive swelling.

When using special products, an effect is achieved comparable to expensive cosmetic procedures for cleansing the skin and correcting problem areas. The skin becomes fresh, elastic with an even color.

Indications for use

Cosmetic massage helps solve aesthetic problems. It does not apply to medical procedures, which is why it does not lose popularity. It is relevant to use in the following cases:

• with a decrease in the tone of facial muscle tissue;
• identifying the first signs of wrinkles;
• increased skin dryness;
• severity of facial wrinkles;
• acne problems;
• frequent appearance of inflammatory elements;
• increased production of sebaceous secretion;
• facial effusions;
• bags in the eye area, discoloration of the skin in this area;
• tired appearance, skin deformities.

Classic facial massage is a topical remedy for eliminating minor blemishes. Its effect is comparable to some plastic surgeries or complex skin rejuvenation programs. Unlike them, massage does not cause serious complications, and the result does not have irreversible consequences. The general state of health also does not suffer from gentle manipulations on the face.

Classic massage is included in rehabilitation measures to eliminate scars. It is used in therapy for somatic pathologies, after severe emotional stress, to stabilize the psycho-emotional background.

Preparation for the procedure

The session begins with preparing the skin for manipulation. The process consists of the following steps:

• removing cosmetics, cleansing the skin of sebaceous secretions and other contaminants;
• light peeling (use cosmetic clay or scrub);
• applying massage oil or a special cream (high fat content) to the skin;
• rubbing the facial skin covering all areas.

You need to apply oil or cream not only to your face, but also to your hands. Thanks to this preparation, a sliding effect is achieved and the risk of skin injury is reduced.

How does it affect the face?

Long-term research and medical observations have proven that anti-wrinkle massage has healing and soothing properties.

. The impact not only on the coda, but also on the muscles increases the amount of nutrients and allows harmful deposits to be eliminated faster through the lymphatic system.

Without certain physical activities, the muscles receive a relatively small supply of blood. It is not enough to eliminate deposits and prevent the aging process. When muscles are inactive, blood does not enter them, but bypasses them. Once activity begins, the level of blood supply increases significantly.

If the body can be tightened with the help of physical activity, then only a massage will help the face. At the moment when you relax, the massage therapist tenses your muscles in every possible way. He rubs them and squeezes them. As a result, the skin becomes more toned and elastic.

Execution technique

To obtain the desired effect from the massage, you should adhere to the principles of the technique. There are many varieties of the classic version, but all provide a gentle effect on the skin. The essence of manipulation comes down to the use of 4 basic techniques.

Trituration

Pass with fingertips or several fingers at the same time with slight pressure on the skin of the face. The level of pain sensitivity is not noted.

Stroking

The elements are performed by slowly sliding the palm over the skin. Attention is paid to the force of hand pressure. Mechanical impact does not cause pain or discomfort.

Kneading

Rhythmic movements of the fingers and palms with varying force of impact: from light pressure to a sensation approaching slight pain.

Vibration

Oscillatory movements that are performed with different impact forces. The ribs of the palms or fingers are involved in the work.

Among all the elements, stroking takes the longest time in a 10-15 minute massage. When sliding slowly and purposefully, there is no pain. A minimum volume is allocated for vibration and kneading.

Manipulations are carried out in a certain order along massage lines. The classic version provides the following passes:

• the midpoint of the chin is the hearing organs;
• corners of the mouth - temporal zone;
• working out the cheeks (direction of the element: from the nasal cavities to the temples);
• outer corners of the eyes - inner corners (and repeat in the opposite direction);
• massaging the nose (from the nasal cavities to the bridge of the nose);
• treatment of the skin in the frontal part (from the center of the forehead to the borders of the hairline).

The technique of classic facial massage does not involve the use of rough pressure elements, patting and stretching.

The session takes about half an hour. The preparation takes about 10-15 minutes, and the same amount of manipulation. This is enough to achieve a relaxing effect and activate subcutaneous processes.

Facial massage for wrinkles at home - what is it?

Massage is a procedure that includes methods of mechanical and reflex effects on tissues in order to increase their tone and elasticity. In other words, this is passive gymnastics, which acts in two ways: it strengthens weakened muscles, and relaxes tense ones.

A properly performed massage is also effective in old age, after the appearance of signs of skin aging: even the deepest wrinkles become less noticeable, tissue turgor increases, and facial tone is evened out.

The right massage can smooth out wrinkles, tighten the shape of the cheekbones, and prevent the first signs of skin aging.

Indications

The main indications for facial massage include:

• acne and post-acne;
• uneven, dull complexion;
• oily and combination skin;
• the appearance of the first signs of aging;
• decreased skin tone, it became sagging;
• deep expression wrinkles;
• double chin;
• swelling;
• enlarged pores;
• problems with blood circulation and lymph outflow, etc.

The main indication for facial massages are age-related changes in the skin: swelling, sagging, the appearance of deep wrinkles, pigmentation

Contraindications

Like any other cosmetic procedure, this one has its own contraindications:

1. Oncological diseases. Most types of massage are aimed at dispersing lymph and improving blood circulation. For a healthy person, this will only be beneficial: swelling, bags and bruises under the eyes quickly disappear, and the tone of the face is evened out. For a cancer patient, lymphatic circulation can lead to feeding malignant tumors and stimulating their growth.
2. Herpes, eczema and other skin diseases, including acne, are at a serious stage. Mechanical impact on inflamed skin can lead to the spread of infection and aggravation of the disease.
3. Hematomas, bruises, fresh wounds. Wait until they are completely healed and only then begin a course of facial massage. Otherwise, mechanical impact will only worsen the situation.
4. Disruption of the cardiovascular system. In the absence of the risk of blood clots and minor damage to the capillaries, acupressure can increase their elasticity, improve blood circulation, in other words, be beneficial. And with varicose veins of degrees 3 and 4, acute thrombophlebitis, facial massage, especially as intense as Japanese, can damage the walls of already weakened capillaries.

Before self-massage, consultation with a cosmetologist is required. He will select the technique of “passive gymnastics” and protect you from common mistakes when performing it at home.

Video: contraindications for massage

The effect of “passive gymnastics” of the face

The result of self-massage varies and depends on a number of factors: technique, number of procedures and duration of each of them, care products used (oils, creams, serums), etc. It can be expressed in the following:

• improvement of skin tone;
• elimination of acne and post-acne;
• normalization of the sebaceous glands;
• smoothing facial wrinkles;
• slowing down the process of tissue aging and eliminating its first signs;
• modeling a clear oval face;
• strengthening neck muscles;
• stimulation of metabolic processes;
• improved blood circulation;
• removal of swelling;
• increasing skin firmness and elasticity, etc.

Don’t overdo it: you can’t get everything at once in a couple of procedures. How long it takes for the first results from self-massage to appear depends on the type of problem. For example, if you are not satisfied with a dull complexion and slight skin laxity, a noticeable improvement can be observed after 2-3 procedures. To get rid of swelling and improve lymph outflow, you will need at least 5-6 massage sessions. To get visible results in the fight against wrinkles, post-acne, and sagging skin, you need to take a massage course consisting of 10–13 sessions.

Possible negative consequences

It would seem what negative consequences massage can have. This is a non-invasive procedure that, at first glance, does not injure the skin in any way. But it's not that simple.

Intense massages, the presence of contraindications, improper preparation for the procedure and its implementation - all this can lead to the following negative consequences:

1. Pain during and after the procedure. A little discomfort, for example, during a “hard” Japanese massage is normal. Anything that is more painful is your or your cosmetologist’s mistake.
2. The appearance of vascular networks and hematomas. This is typical for sensitive skin and is due to the fragility of the capillary walls. Avoiding the formation of hematomas and vascular networks is simple: do not rub the skin or press on it too hard, do not use heating oils and face creams, and massage no more often than every 2-3 days.
3. Skin stretching. The effect is exactly the opposite of what is expected from a massage. Move strictly along the massage lines from the center to the periphery and only in one direction.

The appearance of vascular networks or hematomas after the procedure indicates that it was carried out in the right direction.

Technique according to Akhabadze

This method is popular worldwide. It is successfully used in cosmetology and medicine. Akhabadze A.F., an authoritative expert in massage, offered her own version of the classic technique. She made changes to the general concept of effects on the skin, which increased the effectiveness of the procedure. The program includes the following actions:

1. Cleansing the face of dirt and cosmetics.
2. Apply cream/oil to the skin.
3. Fixing the thumbs of both hands on the bridge of the nose.
4. The location of the remaining fingers is on the corners of the lower jaw.
5. Pass five times along the sides of the neck with the arch of the fingers in the center of the chin.
6. Stroking movements of the middle part of the face so that the line of the lips is outlined by the index and middle finger.
7. Place one hand on your ear, and with the other make circular movements (direction from left to right), outlining the contour of your lips.
8. Do similar elements after changing the position of the hands.
9. Using 2 to 4 fingers, walk from the nasal recesses to the temporal areas (at least 3 times).
10. massaging the eyebrow line and eyes (direction - outer corner of the organ of vision - inner corner), the middle and index fingers are involved.
11. Stroking the forehead from the center of the eyebrow space to the boundaries of the scalp.
12. Using vibrating movements, the palm is passed from the middle of the forehead to the nasal cavities and chin.

Reference! Before you master the technique, you need to carefully study the principles of massage movements. It will also be useful to familiarize yourself with thematic videos.

For whom is the technique intended?

It is believed that the massage technique according to Akhabadze is useful for everyone. The main indications are as follows:

1. Early age-related changes, mainly wrinkles;
2. Swelling as a result of fluid retention;
3. Rashes caused by improper functioning of the sebaceous glands;
4. Sagging skin, uneven jaw lines;
5. Excessive general tension - nervous and physical.

A separate indication for massage according to Akhabadze is the prevention of all these problems. The technique is advised to be mastered not only by older ladies, but also by women over 25 years of age. It is the prevention of unwanted age-related changes that is the main effect of this massage technique.

How many procedures do you need to undergo?

To obtain the desired effect from a classic massage, you need to conduct sessions in a course. Visual and physiological changes will become noticeable after 20 procedures. This duration is associated with a mild effect on the skin.

Targeted actions are concentrated only on the upper layers of the epidermis. The result is achieved by restoring blood flow to the capillaries, working out the muscle tissue, after which it becomes toned. A systematic approach eliminates stagnation (swelling, stagnation of fluid in tissues, etc.).

Cosmetologists offer to go through the entire program of the classic version of facial massage, including 15-20 sessions. The treatment regimen is determined individually (1-3 rubles per week). The durability of the result is up to six months, provided that high-quality care products are used.

After a course of massage using the classical technique, it is recommended to repeat the procedures twice a month in order to maintain the achieved result.

The average cost of a classic massage is 1200-1400 rubles (for one session). In salons the price is higher than private offers from masters. A visit to a cosmetologist at home will cost about 800-900 rubles.

Features of home performance

Mastering the technique of manipulation in the classical version is considered an accessible and exciting activity. First you need to clarify where the lines on the face are located along which the passage is made. We also need information about the direction of movement of the hands when performing manipulations.

Lines and directions:

• corners of the mouth - upper part of the ears;
• the central point on the forehead is the temporal part;
• lower part of the nose - earlobes;
• inner corners of the eyes - outer corners with a passage along the upper eyelid (repeat the element along the lower eyelid in the opposite direction);
• The central point of the chin is the temples.

You can supplement your home treatments by working on your décolleté area. To do this, strokes are made from the sternum to the contour of the face and vice versa.

The process of self-performing a massage is built according to the following scheme:

• removing cosmetics from the face;
• steam bath using warm water or herbal decoction (helps open pores, which improves the quality of skin cleansing);
• drying the face by blotting with a clean towel;
• distribution of oil or anti-aging cream over the work area;
• successive passes along the main lines used in massage;
• remove product residues with a dry cloth;
• rubbing with ice (preparations based on medicinal herbs).

It is better to do a massage in the evening before bed. At night, the skin will have time to rest from mechanical stress and process valuable microelements that enter through the pores. If you follow the principles of the technique, you can see the first results after 3-4 procedures.

Contraindications

A gentle effect on the skin is not a reason to ignore precautions during the procedure. The classic version of massage is not suitable for those who have the following health problems:

• viral infections (at the development stage and immediately after recovery);
• allergic diseases, dermatitis (if the skin is damaged);
• intolerance to the procedure due to the individual characteristics of the body;
• purulent formations on the face;
• oncology;
• any inflammation occurring in the acute phase;
• increased blood pressure (potential risk of a sharp increase in blood pressure);
• rosacea (red spider veins are visible on the face and body);
• the presence of large growths on the treated area.

Before going to the salon, you need to consult your doctor about contraindications. Then the massage will definitely not provoke health problems. You can also check with your cosmetologist which oils or creams are appropriate to use for a particular skin type. Properly selected products will enhance the rejuvenating effect.

Reviews, before and after photos

Most reviews about massage according to Akhabadze are positive. The most common effect that is talked about after the entire course is the straightening of the oval of the face. There is a reduction in the number of fine wrinkles and a reduction in deep folds.

Other reviews often mention relaxing properties that reduce tension, especially when massaged after a hard day or at the end of the work week. Many women who follow Akhabadze’s method note that after several procedures, the face becomes more beautiful, blush and a healthy color appear.

Negative aspects include the inability of the technique to cope with deep wrinkles.

Unfortunately, age-related changes are inevitable; the technique can only delay their appearance as much as possible or remove small formations.

There are opinions that massage is beneficial only after contacting a professional. At the same time, many argue that it is not worth spending money on salons; it is better to do the procedure yourself at home. However, there have been cases when self-massage was done incorrectly. As a result, the effect was the opposite. In order for the procedure to be beneficial, you need to carefully study the technique, it is better if it is shown by a specialist with experience. It will be useful to study tutorials with a description of the methodology or watch detailed video tutorials with explanations.

You can see the results in the before and after photos. Some women experience modest effects, while others see fairly noticeable improvements.