How to restore elasticity to your facial skin with a classic massage

A classic facial massage can transform the skin, improving its color, tone, moisture, and texture. Even if you don’t do it, you need to know its basics every day when you apply cream or wash your face.

We tell you all the most important things about classic facial massage to protect you from mistakes.

As a bonus, we give unique recommendations on how you can intensify the massage in order to also achieve an anti-aging effect: smooth out wrinkles and tighten your oval shape

What is a classic facial massage

Massage is the oldest way of influencing body tissues using hands. It appeared among primitive people as a reflex reaction to pain. If some part of the body was bothered, damaged, or injured, then there was an automatic urge to stroke it, knead it, or rub it.

For several thousand years, massage has been used to treat dislocations, spasms, and pain; return the body to physical shape; sharpen the figure.

A separate story is facial massage. Also known since ancient times, it is designed to solve cosmetic problems: improve appearance and fight signs of aging.

In its classic version, facial massage is based on a gentle effect on the skin. Movements are smooth and superficial. The calculation is made primarily to treat the skin; deeper tissues are minimally affected.

Combination of cosmetic facial massage techniques with other procedures

Cosmetical tools.

Any effect on the skin and muscle tissue stimulates blood circulation and cleanses the skin, helping to remove harmful substances from the deep layers of the epidermis. Consequently, various cosmetics are better absorbed through open pores. This is why you need to massage your face before using creams and lotions.

It is best if the massage technique coincides with the cosmetic product in terms of its effect on the skin. For example, you can use a deep facial massage technique before applying a serum with a lifting effect.

Hardware cosmetology.

To enhance the positive effect, you can combine, for example, honey massage and microcurrents.

Injection rejuvenation.

Before beauty injections, we recommend visiting a massage parlor. This will prepare your skin for the procedure, and healing will go much faster. But we do not recommend injecting Botox or hyaluronic acid before massaging. Since the metabolism will noticeably speed up and the effect of the drugs will end faster than expected.

The main advantages of the cosmetic facial massage technique:

• gentle stimulation of the skin;
• painlessness of the procedure;
• positive effect on the nervous system;
• improvement of the general condition of the whole organism;
• no complications.

In order for cosmetic procedures to give a positive result, they must be performed by a specialist with a medical education. A professional knows the anatomical structure of the face and all massage lines, and knows how to correctly influence acupuncture points.

Technique and features

Classic facial skin massage is performed using a gentle and enveloping technique, which is determined by the following features:

• The procedure is done only with the fingertips, which move across the face with smooth, sliding movements. No force is used.
• The basic technique is stroking with periodic pressure. Patting and vibration are also used.
• The face itself remains motionless; there is no need to use the facial muscles: frown, open your mouth, blow, wrinkle your nose, etc.
• To make it easier to glide and reduce friction, the skin is moisturized with cream or oil before the procedure.

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.

Massage lines for face and neck

The main rule that must be followed in order not to cause harm when performing a classic facial massage: “Move along the massage lines!”

Massage lines are vectors along which the skin resists stretching three times stronger than along others. If you massage your face and neck taking them into account, the skin will not stretch or sag.

It is not difficult to remember massage lines.

• Basically, they go from the center of the face to the periphery - this is how we move along the forehead, cheeks, lower jaw
• We massage the upper eyelid according to the same principle (from the inner corner of the eye to the outer), and the lower - vice versa (from the outer to the inner).
• We walk along the nose from bottom to top.
• The neck has its own directions. Along its front part we move from bottom to top, and along its side – from top to bottom.

Where to massage

Most cosmetologists recommend performing the manipulation in a salon setting. It employs highly qualified specialists who thoroughly know massage techniques, which ensures maximum effectiveness of the procedure.

If the desire arises, a person can perform a massage at home.

It is recommended that he first learn the technique. To master it, it is best to use someone else's back. You are allowed to start massage at home only after studying the technique and massage lines.

Effectiveness of the procedure

Most women feel the result after the first session. But, it is short-term. That is why manipulations should be carried out in courses. After several days, it is recommended to repeat the procedure.

The course of sessions should be from 15 to 20 times. The frequency of manipulations is 1-3 times a week. After completing the course of treatment, a long-term result will appear.

Indications for the procedure

Classic facial massage is suitable for those who want to improve the quality of their skin.

Not everyone talks about it, but this procedure has limited functionality. It is more aimed at young rather than mature skin, since it does not provide a full anti-aging effect.

Rejuvenating massage is a different story; it is based on different techniques. We'll tell you more about it, but later.

For now it's classic. What problems can he cope with:

• dull color,
• decreased skin turgor,
• excess oiliness, rashes,
• dryness, flaking
• scars, scars.

Classic massage can also be prescribed for therapeutic purposes. With its help, problems of pinched nerves and loss of facial symmetry due to neurological diseases are solved.

Author's massage techniques on video

There are different original methods of classical massage. The most popular ones were developed by Soviet cosmetologist Antonina Akhabadze and professor Alexei Pospelov.

According to Akhabadze

The technique helps to heal the skin and get a boost of relaxation. Facial muscles relax, blood vessels and skin tissue are strengthened. It is used mainly for women with existing age-related changes, and is of a therapeutic and prophylactic nature.

According to Pospelov

The main feature of the technique is the main therapeutic effect. In the process, the sebaceous glands are freed from excess contents by squeezing. Indicated if you have oily skin and acne.

Benefits of the procedure

A well-executed classic massage improves the appearance of the skin.

How it works?

The procedure activates blood flow and lymph outflow in the dermis and subcutaneous fat. And this means that:

• nutrition of skin cells will improve from the inside, their regeneration will accelerate, the main “building material” of the dermis, collagen, will be renewed,
• sebum secretion and water balance are normalized,
• due to the accelerated flow of lymph, swelling and looseness of the skin will be reduced (but to specifically combat fluid stagnation and swelling, special, stronger techniques are needed - lymphatic drainage).

Schedule of procedures

Classic massage has an extremely delicate effect on the facial skin, affecting only the upper layers of the dermis. The procedure has a relaxing effect and activates the body's internal reserves. The movement of lymph improves, blood circulation normalizes, swelling and muscle spasms disappear. Naturally, it will not be possible to obtain a quick and noticeable effect with a light, stroking effect; a whole series of sessions is required. But the effect after a classic massage is stable and lasts for a long time.

In order to significantly reduce wrinkles and improve facial contours, you need about 20 massage sessions. Young and fresh skin will need about 10 procedures to combat post-acne. One session will take no more than 20 minutes; an interval of one to two days is required between procedures. After a course of 10 or 20 sessions, you need to take a break. During the pause between massage courses, you can do a maintenance massage approximately once every two weeks.

Please note that there is an interesting article on our website about how to relax your facial muscles without Botox.

Effect of the procedure

• fresh, healthy, radiant color,
• increasing skin tone and turgor,
• smoother texture: acne marks, scars will be reduced,
• reduction of oily shine,
• solution to the problem of peeling,
• slight reduction in expression lines and less pronounced crease lines,
• Puffiness will subside, swelling and bags under the eyes will decrease.

In addition to the aesthetic effect, a good mood and relief from fatigue are attached. Although the work is not on the body, but on the face, the procedure still has a relaxing and calming effect.

Cosmetologists can still promise a lifting effect, but you shouldn’t count on noticeable changes. Classic facial massage CANNOT:

• tighten the cheeks and oval,
• remove jowls and double chin,
• raise the upper eyelids and corners of the lips,
• smooth out wrinkles, creases, nasolabial folds.

In order to fight all these age-related changes, it is not enough to work only with the skin. It is also necessary to influence the muscles, fascia, and deep-lying vessels through which lymph and blood flow. And this requires more powerful massage techniques that get to the root of the aging problem.

Read about how to do anti-aging massage after one chapter.

What effect should you expect?

Even one session significantly refreshes the face, improves muscle tone, and provides physical pleasure. However, to achieve a noticeable lasting effect, serious work is needed. Regular facial massage using the classical method will allow you to:

• Prevent the appearance of puffiness, remove dark circles around the eyes;
• Improve the appearance of the skin, increase elasticity, smoothness;
• Eliminate existing facial wrinkles and prevent the appearance of new ones;
• Significantly improve the structure of the skin, get rid of acne and other defects.

Regular sessions affect blood circulation, enhance lymphatic drainage, and saturate the dermis with oxygen more effectively. The skin becomes radiant and elastic, a gentle blush lights up on the cheeks.

As a result, the oval of the face improves, the lines become clearer, and the appearance is healthier. The jowls, drooping eyelids, and double chin go away. Numerous reviews say that the method also allows you to make your lips fuller, “open” your eyes, and reduce the nasolabial fold. Due to intense blood flow, cosmetic products are absorbed better and bring more benefits.

You can start massage courses after 25 years, before the first age-related changes appear.

In addition to combating age-related changes, classic massage will help cope with stress, relieve fatigue after a hard day at work, and help fight depression. Sessions can be used as part of a recovery program after serious illnesses.

Benefits of classical massage

Although classical massage is not very effective in the fight against age, its basics are useful for every woman to know, no matter how old she is. It is especially important to learn massage lines.

We need this knowledge several times a day when we perform daily beauty rituals. But many do not understand basic things, so they make mistakes, for which they have to pay with youth and beauty.

• How do you apply cream (gel, emulsion, serum, oil, squalane) to your face? It is correct to do this, taking into account the massage lines: move from the middle of the forehead to the temples, from the nose → to the ears, from the chin → along the contour of the lower jaw → to the earlobes.
• Do you treat the area around your eyes correctly? Do you remember that the rule “from center to periphery” only works for the upper eyelid? And along the lower one we move in the opposite direction. We use patting movements.
• The neck – we also often take care of it incorrectly. Follow the massage lines when applying cosmetics to it: from the front from bottom to top, from the sides from top to bottom.
• When applying cream to your face and neck, use classic techniques: stroking, rubbing, patting, circular movements. This will warm up the skin and help the cosmetic product penetrate into its deeper layers. Did you feel the warmth? Massage and cosmetics work.
• How do you cleanse your face? Do you wash your face with gel/cream/foam or wipe it with hydrolate/micellar water/milk? In both cases, do not forget about the massage lines.
• When you rub your neck with a washcloth while showering or taking a bath, do you remember the directions of movements?
• Have you already become acquainted with the trendy method of exfoliating dead cells and lymphatic drainage - drybrushing (massage with a dry brush)? Here, in general, massage lines should be followed very strictly: the effect on the face is powerful, and violation of the technique can stretch the skin.

Moreover, the basic principles of classical massage are also taken into account when creating original techniques.

For example, MelAnnett's rejuvenating techniques are based on deep treatment of facial tissues, muscles and fascia are affected, so the movements are strong and intense: we squeeze, knead, pull, grind, press, pinch. But at the same time, the classics also come in handy: massage lines are followed, and at certain stages classical techniques are used (stroking, kneading, patting, vibrations).

Types of facial massage

In addition to classic massage, beauty salon specialists offer other types of manual treatment of the skin. Technicians alternate or perform one procedure. It depends on the person’s wishes and expected results. When choosing the optimal type of massage, the massage therapist takes into account skin type, its sensitivity, and the severity of age-related changes.

1.Classic facial massage

Classic facial massage is a set of different techniques with which the hands work on the skin and facial muscles. Massage has the following effects:

• Improves microcirculation and outflow of lymphatic fluid;
• Relieves swelling and bags under the eyes;
• Increases the elasticity of fabrics.

The skin acquires a healthy color, tightens, and the depth of wrinkles decreases. The cheekbone line becomes pronounced. During the session, the person relaxes, forgets about problems, and calms down. His mood improves.

Before the procedure, the massage therapist washes his hands and thoroughly cleanses the client’s facial skin. Then he gets to work. The classic massage technique consists of four movements:

• Rubbing;
• Stroking;
• Kneading;
• Vibrations.

All of them are carried out without excessive effort in a certain sequence.

Classic facial massage scheme:

• The chin is massaged from the lowest point located in the middle to the earlobe;
• Then the area around the mouth is treated;
• Then they move to the cheeks, the outer corners of the eyes;
• Make massage movements from the nose to the temporal region;
• They work on the forehead.

Experienced massage therapists spend more time on stroking movements and less time on patting and vibration. The duration of one procedure is half an hour. In order to achieve a sustainable result, eight to ten sessions are performed.

2.Plastic facial massage

Fading skin is treated with a deeper type of massage - plastic. It restores facial contours and removes pronounced age-related changes. It should be performed in specialized beauty salons. The technique is the same as with classic massage, only during the procedure professionals use special means.

Benefit:

• The skin of the face becomes fresh and elastic;
• Complexion improves;
• Pores become narrower;
• The oily sheen disappears;
• The oval of the face becomes clear;
• Wrinkles and nasolabial folds are smoothed out;
• The tone of facial muscles increases.

If you have oily skin, the specialist lubricates it with talcum powder and applies moisturizer to dry skin. Before a plastic massage session, the skin is steamed and deep cleansed. The duration of one procedure should not exceed twenty minutes. The full course consists of fifteen sessions. They are carried out every other day. The rehabilitation period after completing the course of plastic massage is 2 months. At this time, masks are applied to the face and supportive procedures are performed.

Plastic procedures are not performed on pregnant and breastfeeding women, with high or low blood pressure, or diseases of the blood, kidneys, or heart. They should be avoided by people who have excess hair on their skin or have formed hemangiomas, as well as those suffering from epilepsy, rosacea, and those prone to capillary fragility. The procedure is not performed immediately after peeling, Botox injection, or surgical interventions on the face and neck.

First, the specialist uses the same techniques as with classic massage. Then he does a deep kneading. All manipulations are carried out along
massage lines.
The plastic massage technique also includes effleurage and vibration movements.
After it, the skin is treated with an alcoholic tincture of herbs or an antiseptic. The face is covered with a cold cloth. After the session, redness and swelling persist for two or three hours
. If the procedure is done correctly, these changes will go away on their own.

3.Pinch massage

It targets pronounced problem areas: age spots, scars, deep folds.

4.Lymphatic drainage massage

Eliminates swelling and bags under the eyes. After the procedure, the oval of the face and the skin on the neck are tightened.

5.Tibetan massage

Known since ancient times. During the session, in addition to the face, the head, neck, and décolleté area are massaged. Since during the session the specialist acts on biologically active points, the procedure has a healing effect on the entire body.

6. Buccal massage

When is a buccal massage performed?,

the cheeks are treated both from the outside and from the side of the oral cavity. The massage therapist carries out the procedure wearing sterile latex gloves. Due to deep muscle development, the cheeks are tightened.

7.Asahi

It is a Japanese type of cosmetic procedure. When they are carried out, they affect the skin and facial muscles. This type of cosmetic procedure is called a non-surgical facelift. Pressure is applied with the palms.

8.Spanish chiromassage

Effective for dry skin affected by rosacea. During the session, the specialist replaces deep movements with soft, relaxing ones. In addition to his fingers, he can use his elbows in the procedure.

9. Honey facial massage

To eliminate inflammation and improve skin tone, do a honey
massage .
Honey contains active substances. It removes toxins and excess moisture from the body. During the procedure, massage therapists use only natural honey.

Self-massage at home: which one to choose

Do you want to help your face transform with a massage, but don’t know where to start?

First, choose self-massage, that is, knead your face yourself at home.

On your own, you take care of your face systematically and systematically, day after day. You understand him, you know what he needs, and you see the results in the mirror. In addition, self-massage is convenient (it is always at hand) and free.

Which techniques should you choose?

Classic self-massage of the face is a good option, but you need to remember that its capabilities are limited. As we have already said, it is designed to improve the condition of the skin, and not for rejuvenation, so it is more suitable for young girls.

We recommend that women of any age opt for deep self-massage. Its functionality is much wider. It solves the same problems as classic massage, only it also fights age-related changes: wrinkles, creases, nasolabial folds, jowls, extra chins, swollen ovals, ptosis of the upper eyelids, drooping corners of the lips, swelling, bags under the eyes.

Effective rejuvenating self-massage gets to the causes of aging, works not only at the skin level, but also:

• at the level of muscles and fascia (myofascial techniques): eliminates muscle spasticity, restores their healthy tone, returns them to their natural length and elasticity,
• relieves long-term stagnation of lymph, improves lymph drainage (lymphatic drainage techniques).

At the same time, you can start doing anti-aging self-massage as early as you like, even at 18-20 years old (the main thing is that the body is already formed by this moment). After all, deep tissue treatment not only eliminates age-related changes, but also prevents them. The sooner you start, the longer you will remain young and beautiful.

MelAnnett is considered the guru of anti-aging facial massage (and natural rejuvenation in general) in our country. Her online beauty marathons have already attracted millions of participants, and everyone has results.

If you’re not yet in the know, then it’s better to start working on yourself with the basic “SmeloNET” marathon. Here you will master the best self-massage techniques, including myofascial and lymphatic drainage. By completing a marathon, you will acquire a lot of useful habits that will prolong your youth for many years.

How to do a sculpture massage?

Thanks to deep treatment of muscles and fascia, it makes the oval of the face clearer. In order to avoid slipping of fingers, use special wax or talc. First, the skin of the neck and chin is tightened, and then the remaining areas are massaged. When performing a sculptural massage, three techniques are used sequentially:

• Tingling;
• Vibration;
• Intense pressure.

The entire face is treated for half an hour.

The deep layers of the skin are affected using a pinch massage. It cleanses pores, fights acne, normalizes the production of sebaceous glands, and improves lymph flow. The duration of one procedure should not exceed thirty minutes.

Students of the School of Masters study facial massage techniques for two main reasons: they want to start performing the procedure for their clients or they want to become younger and more beautiful themselves: without cosmetologists, injections and plastic surgeries. Do you also have such desires? We are waiting for you at online or offline training courses!

Author of the article:

Practicing: 27 years, Teaching: 20 years

Preparing for a massage

Preparing for manual self-massage is very simple. It can be done anywhere, no special conditions or equipment are required.

Are your hands still there? This is the main thing. Clean facial skin and clean hands.

At first, while you are still getting to know your face, it is better to practice in front of a mirror. Once you get used to it, you won’t need it anymore. You can do self-massage in front of the TV, in a bathhouse, on the beach, in public transport, even at work (if you are willing to sacrifice makeup).

The only thing you need to take care of before self-massage is cleansing. There should be no makeup, dust, sweat, or sebum on your face. The most convenient and gentle option is to wipe the skin with a cotton pad soaked in hydrolate (plant distillate). For this, you can choose one of the Beauty365 hydrolates: mint, sage or lavender (look for them at www.beauty365.ru). If you are not doing the procedure at home, use wet wipes.

For deep self-massage, nothing else is required. We perform it on dry skin for better contact with the hands.

After the procedure, we saturate the face with a cosmetic product. Warm skin will be ready to absorb everything it needs. Natural remedies will be especially useful: oils, squalane, balms. Look for them in the line of the brand www.beauty365.ru

If you still do a simple classic massage, then before it you need to moisturize the skin with cream or light oil. This is required for hand glide and smooth movements.

Stages of facial massage using different techniques in a beauty salon

• Before the session, it is necessary to find out whether the patient has contraindications to massage.
• Select a stimulation method, taking into account the properties of the client’s skin:

• vacuum - for aging skin;
• Russian - for nutrition and cleansing of pores;
• massaging with spoons - to tighten the contour of the face;
• other techniques.

• Cleansing the facial skin before starting manipulations.
• Use of high-quality cosmetics.

Professional oils and lotions that are used during the facial massage procedure do not cause allergic reactions, as they consist of natural ingredients. The only exception may be individual intolerance to certain ingredients.

Contraindications and precautions

Can everyone do self-facial massage? Not everyone, but there are few restrictions.

The procedure is contraindicated if there are local skin problems in the acute stage: acne, rosacea, abrasions, injuries, burns, bites, herpes, eczema.

Local vascular disorders are also limiting: rosacea, fragile blood vessels.

In case of damage to the facial nerve and other neurology, it is better to consult a doctor. He may prescribe a therapeutic massage.

General health matters too. You should refrain from self-massage in the following cases:

• elevated temperature,
• severe hypertension,
• exacerbation of chronic diseases,
• severe inflammatory processes,
• oncology,
• blood diseases,
• cerebral circulatory disorders.

How to do self-massage at home

Would you like to try some rejuvenating self-massage techniques right now? We have prepared a selection of exercises from MelAnnett that are designed to solve various problems. Start by working on the areas that concern you the most.

TOP 10 anti-aging massage techniques from MelAnnett:

1. Express facial skin lifting
2. Elimination of eyebrow creases
3. Elimination of wrinkles on the forehead
4. Fighting bags under the eyes and crow's feet
5. Smoothing nasolabial folds with tongue massage
6. Raising the upper eyelids and opening the gaze
7. Raising the corners of the mouth
8. Fights wrinkles around the mouth and adds volume to lips
9. Elimination of excess chins

10. Giving the nose a neat and well-defined shape

Indications and contraindications for facial massage

The procedures are performed in the presence of dull, sagging skin, bags and bruises under the eyes, wrinkles, pronounced nasolabial folds, and “crow’s feet.” They prevent and stop skin aging.

Sessions are canceled if there are contraindications:

• High temperature;
• Respiratory viral infection, including covid;
• Herpes;
• Neuritis of the facial nerve;
• Acute period of acne;
• Dermatitis;
• Oncological pathology, regardless of tumor location;
• Benign and malignant neoplasms of the facial skin;
• Protruding moles;
• Papillomatosis;
• Pigmented formations (nevi).

In most cases, you can begin performing procedures after complete recovery.

Results, photos before and after facial massage

Look at the results the participants of the MelAnnett beauty marathons managed to achieve.

With the help of competently performed anti-aging self-massage of the face, in 2-3 weeks you will see a younger self in the mirror.

What will you achieve:

• wrinkles, folds, creases will be reduced and completely gone,
• the skin will become elastic, smooth, even,
• swelling, bags under the eyes, looseness will be eliminated,
• cheeks will be tightened, nasolabial folds will be smoothed out,
• a perfect clear oval without bulldog cheeks will be “drawn”,
• the double chin will be erased, the “angle of youth” will be restored,
• eyebrows, upper eyelids will rise, eyes will open,
• the corners of the mouth will rise, the lips will become fuller,
• the nose will acquire an elegant appearance (due to the removal of excess fluid), its pecking tip will rise (relieving spasms of the lateral muscles of the nose),
• The complexion will improve and even out.