Cart

Your cart is empty

Continue shopping now

Facial Massage

Sporty & Rich Wellness - Facial Massage

By: Shivani Shah
My earliest recollection of hearing about facial massage as a beauty treatment was in 2014, when Meghan Markle told Glamour magazine that it is one of her favorite beauty treatments. When the Glamour piece was released, I was a high schooler (gosh). At the time, my consternation generally stemmed from matters concerning college acceptances or the prom. During these halcyon days, I had little awareness of any form of “skincare” however, that Glamour article was one of my first memories of being intrigued by skincare. Today, both facial massage and facial exercises are some of my favorite accouterments to a skincare regimen because they are low-cost, non-toxic, and can be done from the comfort of your own home.

The earliest written records of massage therapy come from Egypt and China. Historical records show that gua sha, which means “scrape away illness”, was used as an ancient therapy when people fell sick or unconscious. The facial benefits of this practice were discovered by accident. Gua sha is just one type of facial massage. Others include acupressure, cupping, and knuckle kneading. Today, facial massage receives rave reviews from beauty experts and social media skincare pundits alike however, there are few studies to confirm the laundry list of purported benefits offered by these techniques.

Although most evidence is anecdotal, a 2018 study conducted by researchers in Japan found that facial massaging using a roller can in the short-term, increase blood flow to the skin and in the long-term, improve vasodilation (the widening of blood vessels). This increased blood flow can lead to an improved appearance in the skin. In another small study conducted in 2018, researchers at Northwestern University found that regular facial exercise resulted in fuller upper and lower cheeks. Lead author Dr. Murad Alam shares that facial exercise can “enlarge and strengthen your facial muscles, so the face becomes firmer, more toned and shaped like a younger face.” This is because aging results in decreased skin elasticity and thickness. Firmer muscle under the skin can help make the face look more full and toned.

There are many great tutorials performed by professionals demonstrating how to incorporate facial massage and exercises into your routine. To get you started, I am going to share a few of the facial exercises used in the Northwestern Medicine study. These exercises were conducted daily or every other day for 30 minutes at a time. As always, consult a professional before incorporating new exercise or products into your routine.

Cheek lifter: While smiling, place your fingers on your cheekbones and gently hold the skin taut. While doing so, open your mouth to form an elongated “O” shape. Hold this for 5 seconds and repeat 10 to 15 times. You should feel a resistance in your cheek muscles.

Eyebrow lifter: While smiling, place your three middle fingertips under each of your eyebrows and gently press down to force your eyes open. Create resistance while furrowing your eyebrows downward, against your fingertips. Breathe and hold for 20 seconds. Release, relax, and repeat 3 times.

References:

Alam, Murad, et al. “Association of Facial Exercise with the Appearance of Aging.” JAMA Dermatology, vol. 154, no. 3, Mar. 2018, p. 365., https://doi.org/10.1001/jamadermatol.2017.5142.

Carell, Julianne. “Meghan Markle's Favorite Toronto Beauty Spots.” Glamour, Glamour, 21 Aug. 2014, https://www.glamour.com/story/meghan-markles-favorite-toront?mbid=partner_pubexchange_article_bellasugar.

Ejindu, Anna. “The Effects of Foot and Facial Massage on Sleep Induction, Blood Pressure, Pulse and Respiratory Rate: Crossover Pilot Study.” Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, vol. 13, no. 4, 8 May 2007, pp. 266–275., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2007.03.008.

Hy. “6 Facial Exercises to Tone Your Face and Neck.” Hy Vee, Hy Vee, 26 Oct. 2021, https://www.hy-vee.com/recipes-ideas/advice-how-tos/living/beauty/facial-exercises. Accessed 3 Oct. 2022.

January 3, 2018 | By Marla Paul. “Facial Exercises Help Middle-Aged Women Appear More Youthful.” Northwestern Now, Northwestern Now, 27 Oct. 2022, https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2018/january/facial-exercises-help-middle-aged-women-appear-more-youthful/.

Yin, Yin. “Subscribe to Free Email Newsletter.” Gua Sha, 25 Apr. 2013, http://en.chinaculture.org/info/2013-04/25/content_456628.htm.
Previous
Next

The Wellness Club

The Ancient Ritual of Oil Pulling

The Ancient Ritual of Oil Pulling

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @emily_campbell Oil pulling has been an ancient ritual in India and is a sacred practice that has roots in ancient Hindu texts and scriptures. Known in Sanskrit as Kavala Graha or Gandusha, the regime of swishing around 1 tbsp of oil for 15-20 minutes and then spitting it out is primarily used for its oral health benefits. This simple regime has been...

Read more
The Mental Health Benefits From Travel

The Mental Health Benefits From Travel

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @ericabassotherapy We can all probably recall that moment when you’re finally feeling relaxed on vacation and you hear yourself expressing, “I need to do this more often!”. Despite the research that supports the mental health benefits of taking regular vacations and traveling, it’s been found that a significant number of American workers don’t take all of their allocated...

Read more
High Intensity Exercise: Good or Bad?

High Intensity Exercise: Good or Bad?

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By @coreflexpilates founder Chris Bardawil HIIT or high intensity interval training has become a pretty normal part of modern training, its something you have probably already done without even realising it. It was popularised over a decade ago with Crossfit and now modernised in many forms of classes we see at gyms as well as being seen all over the web with HIIT routines and...

Read more
5 Benefits of Reformer Pilates

5 Benefits of Reformer Pilates

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @coreflexpilates, founder Chris Bardawil Reformer pilates is everywhere, it's not just all over social media we are also seeing our favourite celebs doing it. The reality is reformer pilates has been a staple of many people’s exercise routines for over a decade now, and for good reason.

Read more
Burnout: What Is It and How to Recover

Burnout: What Is It and How to Recover

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @drmelissa.co Burnout is a concern I see often in clinical practice. Although it is not a diagnosable disease, it is a syndrome, meaning it is defined by a set of symptoms, but does not have a consistent progression or clear treatment plan. In other words, burnout is a very real issue, but may look different from person to person and require...

Read more
Nutritional Support for Hashimoto’s Disease and Hypothyroidism

Nutritional Support for Hashimoto’s Disease and Hypothyroidism

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

  By: Megan Tomlin @gooodmoodfoood Did you know that up to 60% of cases of Hashimoto’s disease go undiagnosed? Or that women are 5 to 8 times more likely to have a thyroid condition? Knowing these facts, it is shocking that so many of us are still unclear about...

Read more
Are Collagen Supplements Worth Taking? A Dermatologist Weighs In.

Are Collagen Supplements Worth Taking? A Dermatologist Weighs In.

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @dermahealthnutrition The pursuit of youthful, glowing skin is a timeless quest. It fuels a booming industry of skincare products, treatments, and supplements, including collagen, all claiming to improve the signs of ageing. Here's what you need to know to navigate the abundance of collagen powders, capsules, and liquids.  Skin ageing is a multifaceted...

Read more
Sporty & Rich Wellness - Collagen-Rich Foods vs. Supplements

Collagen-Rich Foods vs. Supplements

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @coreflexpilates founder Chris Bardawil What is the best way to boost your body's collagen production? Supplements or diet, here is a run down of the basics to help you navigate your way around understanding collagen and how you can boost your body's supplies. Collagen...

Read more
The Power of Spending Time in Silence

The Power of Spending Time in Silence

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

@emily_campbell In today’s age, even if you don’t live in a hustling and bustling city, you may still experience constant noise. We have become so accustomed to noise everywhere we go, including our homes. Without knowing it, you may prefer “background noise” to block out any unwanted thoughts or feelings that pop up....

Read more
Sporty & Rich Wellness - How to Navigate Job Insecurity

How to Navigate Job Insecurity

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @ericabassotherapy Experiencing a layoff at your workplace or losing your job can be extremely stressful. It's normal to feel a range of emotions during such times. Job loss or insecurity can threaten components of psychological well-being, such as one’s financial health and identity, and leave individuals feeling vulnerable and...

Read more
Irregular Periods: What Do They Mean?

Irregular Periods: What Do They Mean?

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: drmelissa.co A woman’s period is a vital sign. Just like your blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and breath rate, a woman’s cycle is indicative of her health overall. An imbalanced period indicates suboptimal health.  The menstrual cycle is incredibly complex and requires a constellation of factors to align for it to occur at regular intervals. Factors that can delay a period or cause...

Read more
The Health Benefits of Ghee

The Health Benefits of Ghee

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @islandem_ Ghee, or clarified butter, is the product of slowly heating cow’s butter to 100°C until the fat, milk protein (casein), and sugar (lactose) separate. The protein and milk are...

Read more