Skin Care Regimens

how facial massage rejuvenates and energizes your skin

Article contributed by author Shannon L. Brophy, a licensed cosmetologist and esthetician.

Picture yourself on an island.

Sunshine, perfect warmth, palms waving ever-so-slightly in a nice breeze, the light scent of tropical flowers, the sound of waves crashing on the sand and yourself, lying on a massage table while an expert masseuse works out the cares of the world that have built up in your muscles over time.

Massage has many benefits for the entire body:

• the alleviation of anxiety
• improved circulation
• tissue regeneration
• reduced inflammation
• enhanced immunity

And that's just to name a few benefits!

Massage has also been shown to improve muscle tone. This is true for the face as well as the body.  Facial massage can greatly improve the signs of skin aging.

Though it may be difficult to find time in one's schedule or budget to regularly include massages and facials; some techniques are simple enough to be done at home, especially on the face.

the best skin care regimens include a self-facial massage 

A facial massage can be easily incorporated into a regular skin care routine and takes just minutes a day.

Here's how. . .

While cleansing the skin and/or applying a moisturizer the following manipulations can be used to boost the benefits of normal skin care regimens.

The facial massage techniques should be done using light to moderate pressure and the complete set should be done consecutively about 3Xs each day.

The skin near the eyes is particularly delicate, so light pressure should always be used there. A good idea is to use the ring fingers around the eyes since these fingers tend to have less strength than the fore and middle fingers.

Begin the facial massage with the forehead. . .

• Apply an anti-aging product with fingertips in upward circular motions on the entire surface of the face.
• Continue with long upward strokes the entire length of the forehead.
• Move on around the eyebrows and around the lower eyes, starting at the inner corners and working outwards and upwards.
• Progress from the outward corners of the eyes lightly down the jaw line in long strokes all the way to the chin.
• Work the entire area of each cheek with upward, circular motions.
• When entire cheek area has been covered, lightly move down the jaw line once more in long strokes to the chin.
• This time focusing on the jaw line, use a slight pinching motion the entire length of the jaw on each side.
• Move lightly to the decollete and using upward, sweeping strokes work the entire neck.

As I mentioned above, best skin care regimens use these manipulations daily while cleansing the face and/or applying moisturizer.

This easy do-it-yourself skin beauty tip is a great, no-cost addition to daily skin care regimens.  Facial massage takes just a few extra moments a day, but the advantages are far-reaching; especially over time.

The most beneficial anti-aging skin care regimens incorporate a variety of active rejuvenation ingredients on a daily basis.  The more proactive your routine, the better the results.

Three recommendations for "must have" products that treat a range of aging skin symptoms. . .

#1. An Antioxidant

Dr. Perricone
Vitamin C Serum

#2. An Exfoliant

10% Glycolic Acid
Toner with DMAE

#3. Retinol

SkinMedica
1% Retinol Therapy

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