Does a facial massage help against wrinkles? These 3 famous techniques are easy to try at home!

Anti-ageing facial massages are a popular treatment offered in many salons and spas. Promoters of this technique claim that it can temporarily plump up the skin or bring about long-term changes in your appearance. Incorporating proper facial massage techniques into your daily skincare routine can lead not only to a more radiant glow, but also a firmer, wrinkle-free face. How does it work? For starters, kneading the skin improves circulation, allowing more blood cells into it and producing more oxygen. How can a facial massage be used against wrinkles? Just keep on reading to find out!

Can facial massages reduce the signs of ageing?

Some practitioners of facial massage for wrinkles claim that with regular sessions, the massage can reduce the signs of ageing, either immediately or over time. For example, a 2018 study examined the effects of massage rollers on the skin over a 5-week period. The researchers performed massages on the right cheek of 12 study participants. At the end of the five weeks, vasodilation—a measure of blood flow—was greater only on the right cheek.

This suggests that massage could help improve blood flow. Theoretically, this could promote the supply of healthy nutrients to the skin, make the skin plumper or support skin healing. In another study from 2022, the researchers found that massage made the skin thinner and tighter and subjectively improved its appearance.

Types and techniques of facial massage for wrinkles

It has not been proven that any one type of facial massage for wrinkles works better than others when it comes to reducing the visible signs of ageing. There are several approaches, including:

Shiatsu face massage

This form of massage, which originated in Japan, involves applying pressure to specific points on the face. First, rub your hands together to create friction or “chi”. As soon as you feel heat building up, place your hands over each eye. Now take your two index fingers and place them on the area between your eyebrows and your nose. Apply light pressure and begin to draw slow, small circles.

Run these small circles along the outside of your eyebrow, applying light pressure until you reach the base of your brow. Repeat on the entire forehead. Each time, start at the centre of the forehead and move up and across the face to the hairline.

Next, start with your two index fingers on either side of your nose, just below the eye socket, and apply the same light pressure in small, slow circles below the eye socket until you reach the base of your eyebrow. For slack jaw skin, start with two index fingers together in the centre of your chin and repeat the same circular motion along the edge of the jaw, moving upwards and towards the base of the brow.

The Gua Sha method

This method of anti-ageing facial massage involves massaging the contours of the face with a flat crystal tool. It has its origins in East Asian medicine. First apply a facial oil or moisturizer to the face, neck, and décolleté. Starting at the neck, stroke the broadside of the tool upwards to your jawline with light to medium pressure. Repeat the technique on both sides of the neck.

Next, move to the jaw by starting at the chin and stroking with the curved side of the tool along the jawline to the ear. Repeat the process on the opposite side. For the cheeks, place the flat, wide edge of the tool on the side of your mouth. Using medium pressure, slowly pull your Gua Sha up past the cheekbone, stopping just before the ear. Repeat the process on the opposite side.

Turning to the eyes, place the massaging tool under the inner corner of the eye and gently stroke with the narrow side from under the eye to the hairline. Repeat the process on the opposite side. Then start at the centre of your eyebrows and sweep the tool to the side until you reach the hairline. Repeat the process on the opposite side. Finally, place the tool at the top of your eyebrow and sweep upwards to the hairline. Repeat the process on the opposite side.

Lymphatic drainage

This type of massage involves passing lymph, a type of body fluid, under the skin. Some people use it to reduce swelling. Apply a lotion or light cream all over the face and neck. Use a jade roller and roll from the centre of the face outwards, which naturally stimulates the lymphatic system to drain the fluid. Proceed gently and move towards the contours of the face, finishing with the outer sides of the face. For best results, experts advise repeating the treatment at least once a month.

Also read: How to remove age spots on hands naturally? 6 remedies to help you battle the signs of ageing

How to try the facial massage at home?

There are many ways to massage the face. For beginners who want to try it at home, here are some steps to follow:

• Put about ten centimetres of oil in your hands and rub them together to warm it up. Apply the oil evenly to your face and neck, gently stroking upwards.
• Start at the neck and gently move your fingers from the collarbones upwards to the jaw. Repeat the process several times.
• Move the fingers to the sides of the chin and press outwards and upwards with light but firm pressure, sliding over the jawbone to the ears. Repeat this several times.
• Move upwards to the sides of the nose and repeat a similar movement, but this time move the fingers upwards and outwards over the cheekbones. Repeat this several times.
• Place the fingertips between the eyebrows and slide them outwards over the brow bone to the temples. Repeat this several times.
• Bring the fingers back to the eyebrows, but this time in a vertical direction, stroking the fingers from the eyebrows upwards to the hairline. If you wish, you can leave the oil on the skin or wash it off.

Did you know that you can also get rid of cellulite on thighs with a massage? It’s one of the 5 most effective natural home methods!