The 'showing' (Firming) your face with massage and lymphatic drainage: what is it, what are the benefits, and how do you do it? Some people praise this technique as their holy grail for anti-aging. You often hear enticing claims about the massage technique, such as shaping , tightening , and rejuvenating . It sounds like music to the ears of a skin fanatic.
Incorporating a facial massage into your daily beauty routine is believed to provide a moment of well-being and reduce sagging and swelling . Some people like to use skincare products during the massage, while others prefer a clean face. Some prefer to use additional tools (e.g., gua sha , jade roller ), but some also simply use their hands.
For our Nomige blog readers, we've done some research to answer these questions in today's blog post about facial massage.
WHY SHOULD I GET A FACIAL MASSAGE?
In 2014, Van Borsel et al. in Ghent, Belgium, conducted a review of several studies on the effectiveness of facial massage. Some of the effects observed in these studies were:
- Reduction of wrinkles
- Reduction of expression lines
- Reduction of sagging facial skin
- Improved facial symmetry
- Improved sense of well-being
- Improved sense of relief and relaxation
Overall, it appeared to reduce signs of aging and provide a relaxing feeling. However, the quality and quantity of evidence at the time was n't exactly great . It's still not the most studied field in the world of dermatology and cosmetics. For the critics among us, there are some new studies that further confirm these claimed effects.
INCREASED BLOOD FLOW
Some benefits of facial massages are usually attributed to increased blood flow , which improves the supply of oxygen and nutrients to our cells. In 2018, a Japanese study showed that a 5-minute facial roller massage did indeed lead to dilation of blood vessels, which facilitates blood flow. This effect lasted even 10 minutes after the massage ended .
They also stated that it didn't really matter how much pressure was applied to the skin or how often they passed the roller over it, as long as the minimum 5-minute facial massage activity was respected. They also noted that the longer the massage, the more this increased blood flow was stimulated.
LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE
Lymphatic drainage is a gentle massage that focuses on the lymph node and is commonly known for 'detoxing' (removing waste from the body). These lymph nodes are crucial for controlling our body's immune system to eliminate pathogens such as bacteria and viruses.
Lymphatic drainage massage can be performed on both the face and body and aims to:
Improving lymphatic flow and increasing tissue detoxification .
Help with poor lymphatic circulation
Reduces swelling
Relieves allergy and sinus problems
Improve sleep
There are two types of lymphatic drainage massage: manual lymphatic drainage (requires professional care) and simple lymphatic drainage massage (can be performed at home) . These differ from traditional therapeutic massages because they use different types of movements. Harper's Bazaar notes in an article that specific massage movements are used to achieve the aforementioned results.
But in this modern age, it doesn't surprise us that there is a more modern version on the market of letting technology do the work, such as Lymphatic Enhancement Technology or LET which is performed by trained personnel in a beauty salon .
Scientific evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of lymphatic drainage massage is still very limited . However, there is some information on the benefits of lymphatic drainage massage for treating lymphedema and its ability to reduce fat mass in women with cellulite .
LIFTING EFFECT
In 2017, L'Oréal's Research and Innovation department conducted research into the effect of a vibration device on the anti-aging effect . They made the interesting observation that using this device in combination with anti-aging creams not only (1) boosted the anti-aging results , but (2) also significantly reduced sagging skin . This latter effect was not observed when the creams were used alone. Consumers also noticed a healthier, smoother, and more lifted effect on the skin compared to using the cream alone.
REDUCE STRESS & ANXIETY
A notable observation was made in another Japanese study , where they found that a 45-minute facial massage can relieve feelings of psychological stress and anxiety .
CONCLUSION
This popular technique has sparked a lot of creativity in the beauty industry. Nowadays, massage tools come in all shapes and sizes. We've seen that scientific evidence to prove their effectiveness is still very scarce, but there is some confirmation of the benefits, and more research is on the way.
If you love experimenting with beauty and enjoy a moment of self-care, don't let that stop you from trying it out! Below, we've listed our favorite and easy-to-use massage tools.
Gua Sha stone : The meaning behind the name is "Gua" meaning scrape and "Sha" meaning sand. You can get this item for €25.
Jade roller : This very popular roller is made of a jade stone and is available for €35.
