Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1495571
New member benefit! Get the ASCP SkinPro app at ascpskincare.com/skinpro 69 FACIAL MASSAGE TECHNIQUES have been used for centuries to help improve the appearance of the skin. Today, facial massage incorporates both ancient practices, such as a Kansa wand, with high-tech devices, such as a handheld light-emitting diode (LED) device, to create better results fast. Lymphatic drainage massage (LDM) is also being incorporated into facial treatments to help improve skin appearance. Here, we will look at classic European and LDM massage techniques and explore handheld devices that can be incorporated into facial treatments to create beautiful, healthy-looking skin. BENEFITS OF MASSAGE Extensive research has shown massage therapy can provide physical and psychological benefits, including: • Amelioration of chronic pain, such as low-back pain, neck pain, headaches and migraines, shoulder pain, arthritis, knee pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, cancer-related fatigue and pain, and fibromyalgia • Improved sleep management • Reduced anxiety and depression • Assistance with long-term illnesses such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis 1 In addition to this, the newest research has found benefits for hypertension, neonatal and pediatric care, spinal cord injury, and long COVID syndrome. 2 A recent study from the Cleveland Clinic shows that integrative therapies with massage therapy can improve the physical, mental, and social health for patients with chronic, noncancer-related pain without increased use of opioid medications. 3 Massage is defined as a manual or mechanical manipulation by rubbing, kneading, or other methods that stimulate metabolism and circulation. When the body senses massage, reflex receptors respond by increasing blood and lymph flow. The central nervous system is affected, resulting in a state of When the body senses massage, reflex receptors respond by increasing blood and lymph flow. The central nervous system is affected, resulting in a state of relaxation. relaxation. It also helps provide clients with a glowing, healthy complexion. When it comes to facial massage, in addition to psychological benefits, research is finding that new techniques are showing some initial promise in quantifying actual morphological benefits to the skin. One study found that "In addition to providing mental satisfaction, relaxation, and improvements in skin texture, beauty treatments such as facial massage also result in morphological changes in the face, such as improvements in facial sagging and lifting effects on the cheeks. The soft tissues, including the superficial musculoaponeurotic system and subcutaneous adipose tissue, are distributed subcutaneously. Facial massage may change their morphology." 4 Massage during facials benefits the client's skin in many ways. Using massage helps cleanse the skin of impurities and soften sebum. Massage can change muscle tone, which can help improve the appearance of the skin. It also helps manually slough off dead skin cells. The psychological benefit of massage can result in an average decrease of 31 percent in cortisol levels, the chemical your body releases when you are stressed. Massage has also been noted to increase levels of dopamine and serotonin, neurotransmitters that are responsible for feelings of happiness and self-worth. 5 One study found that using a massage device can help increase the benefits of a moisturizing cream, boosting antiaging benefits: "As compared to untreated skin, the massaging procedure clearly led to higher rates of expression, in particular for decorin, fibrillin, tropoelastin, and procollagen. The mechanical stimulus thus evoked an antiaging response." 6 Massage has also been found to help reduce pain and inflammation, stimulate blood and lymph circulation, 7 improve overall metabolism, and activate sluggish skin. 8 Stimulating muscle and nerve motor points will both contract muscles and