The beautician recommends: Why and how to massage your face?

Regular and correct facial massage can provide a natural lifting effect and, if practised at an early age, can delay the ageing process. I think it is much cooler to have a pleasant but effective massage than to resort to invasive lifting methods right away.

How does massage work? It's actually very simple. Beautiful skin is based on good blood supply and circulation, which in turn helps to oxygenate and nourish the skin. The collagen and elastin synthesis, which are responsible for skin elasticity and tone. During the massage, lymph circulation is improved, facial puffiness is reduced and excess sebum is eliminated.

Facial massage also helps cosmetic products (creams and serums) to penetrate and absorb into the skin more easily, thus improving their effectiveness.

The muscles responsible for the oval shape of our face have either lost tone or are hypertonic. It is important to find a balance when giving a facial massage and to "train" and relax the muscles at the same time. Facial sculpting massage essentially gathers and puts the face in place. It is equally important to play sport and train not only the muscles of the body, but also those of the face.

The main benefits of a face, neck and décolleté massage are:

• Improved skin elasticity and tone;
• strengthens the facial oval;
• lifting of the face, neck and chest area;
• smoothing of nasolabial folds, horizontal wrinkles on the forehead;
• tightening of the upper eyelid;
• sagging cheeks lifted and double chin reduced;
• improved skin texture and tone;
• Reduced puffiness, bags/blue circles under the eyes;
• Reduced stress, fatigue, improved overall well-being.

Facial massage can be performed not only by a professional beautician, but also at home. You can spend as little as 5 minutes a day on a facial massage as part of your cleansing routine, or you can have a 10-15 minute massage using a cream or massage oil, your hands or a special device.

Nowadays, there are many different gadgets available for self-massage, such as:

• Face rollers;
• gua sha stones;
• electric massage devices;
• vacuum banks;
• vibrating cleansing devices.

If you are going to have a facial massage at home, follow these rules:

• All massage movements should be from the centre of the face to the side and always upwards, so you don't tighten the skin and get a slight lifting effect. Use light, gentle pressure. Make fluid, long movements, dividing the face into the following basic lines:

1. Chin - earlobe;
2. Corners of the lips - the buccal area (the hollow in the middle of the ear);
3. Nose - gums;
4. Eyebrows - hairline.

• If massaging while washing the face, lather the cleanser on the skin and make gentle circular movements upwards. Divide the face into areas: chin, cheeks, orbital line, forehead.
• Before the facial massage, prepare the skin by cleansing, toning and applying a cream or massage oil to give it a good glide. A facial serum may be applied under the massage oil.
• If you want to use a facial oil, it is better to use almond or argan oil for dry skin and jojoba or grapeseed oil for oily skin. Rosehip oil is good for problematic acne-prone skin and aloe vera or moringa oil for sensitive skin.
• Massage your face with clean hands and equipment.
• Do not forget to massage the neck and décolleté area.
• After the facial massage, cleanse your face of oil and apply a moisturising cream or face mask.

Take time to take care of yourself and enjoy the beautiful summer!