TOUCH is powerful, and right now we are missing it more than ever. It’s only been a few days, and I already miss the touch connection of my profession as an esthetician. I’ve been teaching my husband how to give me massage for years, and I thought what better time than now to share with you how to perform a DIY stress relief face massage, or better yet, teach your kids, husband, or room mate how to do it and then trade!
Why This Massage Works:
The human face itself has over 40 muscles. Many of these are responsible for facial expressions, and are often tender at times of stress or fatigue. We use a couple techniques such as acupressure and manual lymphatic drainage when we perform your facial massage.
Acupressure uses your fingers to gently press key points on the face to help relieve headaches, eye strain, and sinus pressure. This reduces tension, increases circulation and helps your body to relax. Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) then simulates the movement of lymphatic fluids to detoxify the body with a gentle rhythmic technique.
This is the same massage technique that we learn at The International Dermal Institute for our facials. These relaxing, rejuvenating do-it-yourself face massage incorporates these acupressure and drainage techniques to boost circulation and detoxification, smooth fine lines and alleviate muscle tension. This DIY massage works best when used in conjunction with a therapeutic oil. I am going to use the dermalogica that I have on hand, but you can use your moisturizer, an oil based serum, or if you have fractionated coconut oil ( but not for oily or acneic skin).
If you’re not sure what to use, comment below, and I will do a free skin consult working with what you have at home now, to do this yourself.
How To Do The Face Massage:
• EASE FOREHEAD CREASES: Place fingertips together in the middle of the forehead and, with elbows out, press firmly. Glide (fingers together!) with slight pressure toward temples, press and release. Relaxes tension held in the forehead. Repeat 3 times.
• DE-PUFF EYES: Especially great after a long flight, or a long night! Using your index or middle finger, press between brows—the power spot we think of as the “Third Eye”—and stroke over brows, around the eyes, and returning to center. Then use your fingertips to trace an “S” shape between the brows to release tension. Alternate between presses and S’s, repeat 3 times each, for a total of 6 movements.
• SINUS RELIEF: Use your index or middle finger beside each nostril, press, release and slide to the divot or small hollow just under the cheekbone, and press gently. Glide toward ear (each side) and lightly press in the hollow right beside the ear. A bit of tenderness is normal as circulation boosts and detoxification takes place. Repeat 3 times.
• JAW RELAXER: Are you a clencher? Many people actually damage their teeth by grinding or simply clenching, throughout the day and all night along! This can result in massive headache as well as cracked fillings. With flat fingers, beginning in center of chin, move fingers in small circles upward along the jawline. Stop just below the ear, gently press, and lightly move fingers down the neck to help with lymphatic drainage—open your fingers toward the collarbone as you go. Repeat 3 times.
*This massage recipe is from dermalogica international training institute.
If you’d like to have a free skin consultation to help navigate your at home skin care routine, then contact us here and we will set up a FREE virtual consult!