Beauty journalist Ira Juvonen tested whether just one minute of facial massage can really achieve visible results.
Can facial massage firm, brighten, lift the skin and remove puffiness? Every now and then, you come across facial massage tips on social media that promise great results.
I decided to try what kind of effects you can get when you massage your face for a minute during your skin care routine for a month. In the video, you can see what kind of facial massage it is.
To my pleasant surprise, I noticed wonderful results already within the first week. The facial swelling started to subside and the lines were more clearly visible than before.
During the facial massage, I noticed that one of my cheek muscles was very tight. It started to ease up a bit with regular face massages, but it was by no means completely gone.
The inspiration for the facial massage experiment came from a lymphatic expert-Rebecca Farian From an Instagram account. If you don’t see the embed, you can view the post from here.
Here is a picture right after the first facial massage session. Niko Koskela
During the first week, I mainly massaged my face with face oils. Oil sometimes got into my eyes. I recommend being precise when massaging the skin around the eyes. I also used face creams and serums in the face massage. However, one of the surprising favorites was the nourishing face lotions.
If I did a face massage in the morning, then I usually used nourishing face water or face creams, if I did a face massage in the evening, then I used serums or face oils in the massage. During facial oils, the massage was the easiest to perform, as the fingers glided over the skin effortlessly.
The blood circulation of the face starts clearly as soon as the face massage is started. The face looks more alive and a light red comes out. I’m so glad I started this experiment because the results really are amazing.
Picture after a month of trial. The results of the facial massage were visible almost immediately and could be maintained with just a one-minute massage session. Niko Koskela
I didn’t notice much of a difference in the results after the first week compared to the results after a month. Let this be a positive problem. The results were visible almost immediately and could be maintained with just a one-minute massage session.
I’m going to continue the daily facial massage! I snack a lot and this is often visible on the face as swelling, but it has also remained clearly more moderate even during periods of snacking.
Pictures before and after the one-month trial. After the experiment, the face is smoother and the swelling has subsided. Niko Koskela
A specialist cosmetologist’s tips for facial massage
SKY specialist cosmetologist working in Sothys Helsinki Christel Henriksson says that facial massage accelerates the metabolism, which means that the waste materials start moving and the cells can transport nutrients and oxygen to the muscles.
Surface blood circulation and fluids are also activated. They bring a “healthy glow” effect to the face and remove puffiness. When facial massage is done with a skin care product, it also helps the product to be absorbed into the skin.
– Massage relaxes the muscles, and is a great help to relax muscle tension caused by crunches, for example, adds Henriksson.
Henriksson says that grabbing movements that increase blood circulation to the face can be added to the morning routine. These grabbing movements are pinching, rolling, patting, twirling with the fingertips.
In the evening, however, you can take advantage of the relaxing effect of brushing and pressing.
You should also combine a face massage with an ear massage.
– Ears and their skin care are easily overlooked.
Aids
In addition to the traditional manual facial massage, you can also take advantage of the power of various aids, Henriksson advises.
1. A smooth face roller or face spoons are helpful for soothing the skin and reducing puffiness.
2. Gua sha and the bumpy roller are again useful when you want a lifting effect. These also invigorate surface blood circulation particularly effectively.
– Massage movements should be done from the neck, chin and forehead upwards. With the skin of the face, you should proceed from the inside out.
Pay attention to the different areas of the face like this
Henriksson prefers to massage the chin area with his knuckles. When massaging the lower part of the face, you should also use rotating movements.
Brushing, rolling and pinching work best in the forehead area. You should pay particular attention to the vertical wrinkle between the eyebrows.
For relaxation, you should press or rotate the acupoints, which are located, for example, on the temples and below the beginning of the eyebrows, more precisely at the edge of the eye socket.
If there are lines around the eyes, it is recommended to rub the eye circles with a brush against the opposite hair, i.e. against the lymphatic circulation. For swollen eye circles, massage along the hairline, i.e. in the direction of the lymphatic circulation, is more effective.
When should you not have a facial massage?
SKY specialist cosmetologist Christel Henriksson lists the times when facial massage is not allowed.
1. The face should not be massaged if the skin is broken or has infections, such as cold sores in an active phase.
2. You should ask your doctor for permission if you have cancer.
3. You should consult a doctor or nurse if you have had injections or other minor facial procedures. During these, you may have to take a short break from the facial massage.
With these products you can:
Erboria’s Skin Therapy oil serum is a dream product. The face looks super good after use! I got more compliments than before about my glowing skin after using this product. 49.90 e, Stockmann.
Sothys Ultra-Lipid SOS Serum is a wonderfully nourishing serum that makes the skin glow. The face feels immediately nourished. 84 e, Sothys.
The domestic Pure=Beauty Glow Booster Oil facial oil promises to soothe the facial skin and reduce redness, dryness and roughness. It also seems to do that. 30.90 e, Hilla’s shop.
Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Rapid Brightening Treatment Serum works! The product makes the skin feel beautiful and satisfied. The product promises to brighten the skin, even if there are liver spots and acne scars. 155 Sokos.
The Body Shop’s vitamin E facial lotion is a super moisturizing product. I put a few drops directly on my palm and then spread it on my face. A charming product. 17.90 e, The Body Shop.
Domestic Unna Nordic’s Tyyni Calming Toner is a soothing and moisturizing toner. It is especially suitable for sensitive, dry and irritated skin. 29 Unna Nordic.
Product images: manufacturers.