The world of facial treatments just keeps growing; special tools, products and techniques promise natural facelift results and more youthful radiant skin.
Many of these treatments are founded in true physiology, providing a wonderful relaxing experience plus visible results, and being able to invest in ourselves in this way can reap wonderful rewards. However, a one-off treatment won’t give long term results and regular appointments isn’t in everybody’s budget.
One of my core values is being able to offer support and results to everyone. I love to empower people with the knowledge that we don’t need to spend big bucks to get real results.
Facial massage can be one of the best tools in our self-care toolbox. With no equipment or special training needed we can still get results, making it available to everyone. The biggest barriers seem to be finding the time, and being consistent. I like to build new habits into a time of day or daily activity that never changes, and for me that’s bedtime. Each evening, as soon as I lie down in bed I spend a few minutes massaging my face. I’ve since added practicing gratitude for the day and sending love to those in my life who need it, something else I was struggling to be consistent with.
The variety of massage techniques can feel overwhelming, so for myself I have simplified it into two parts. Firstly, very light massage, more like stroking to help move lymph, and secondly, deeper more like skin rolling to work on fascia.
Our lymphatic system is just under the skin and is responsible for the removal of metabolic waste products. It relies on movement to move the waste so gentle repetitive stroking towards our lymph glands is hugely supportive. Doing this regularly can dramatically reduce puffiness and increase radiance.
Our fascia is a continuous web of connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscles, bones, nerves, blood vessels, and organs throughout our body. Tight fascia around the face, head, neck and shoulders has the ability to pull and drag our skin, most often downwards. Using massage to keep our fascia flexible can help to lift the whole face, minimize deep lines and reduce a double chin.
My light lymphatic massage: I repetitively stroke my face in an outward motion from my nose and chin. The intention is to gently move the lymph towards under the ears, I try to do at least 4 minutes and find it flows easier with dry hands and a dry face, using no product.
My deeper fascia massage: This feels much more like pinching and rolling the skin. I target my decollete, from shoulder to shoulder and up my neck to my chin. Either side and round the back of my neck, my hairline, forehead and eyebrows. I tend to work all these areas once and do enjoy a little facial oil to help my fingers slide.
Working with fascia can feel quite sore and tender as tight fascia hurts, so start gently and as the fascia loosens it will become much easier. Fascia also needs water, so keeping hydrated with good quality water will help to keep your fascia happy and healthy.
Always start any new practice slowly and check in with your intuition. Believe in your own ability to heal and make positive changes, for yourself.
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