Many of my clients come to me when they're undecided about having Botox. While I'm not against these treatments, it's important to understand their limitations. Botox and similar injectables work by temporarily paralysing muscles to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but they don't address the underlying facial structure. That's where facial massage comes in – it's the hidden gem of skincare that people are increasingly turning to as we better understand its benefits.
The benefits of facial massage
Our faces contain over 40 muscles which, over time, can become stagnant and lacklustre along with the surrounding fibres and tissues. We lose muscle mass and store stress and tension. Just like our bodies, facial muscles respond well to deep tissue massage, stretching, and pressure point techniques. Through years of experience, I've developed 'The Bolder Method' to address these issues. This method helps improve muscle tone, stimulate collagen production, and combat fine lines. Crucially, it also ensures that the skincare products we invest in work far more effectively in our daily at-home routines.
The process, when done correctly and consistently, firstly will improve lymphatic flow by awakening the lymph nodes around our face and neck to help reduce stagnation and drain toxins. Encouraging blood flow through massage will bring fresh oxygen and nutrients to the surface of the skin. This will help to warm the facial muscles and tissue allowing us to work deeper into the muscle, relieve tension, reposition the muscles by reminding them where they should sit, upwards and outwards, increase product efficacy resulting in an overall brighter, more youthful complexion.
If you’d like to try facial massage, here are some easy ways you can get started:
Begin at the top of your head. Many of us carry stress and tension in our face, especially around the jaw, forehead, and temples. Start with gentle massage movements at the crown of your head, where the Crown Chakra is positioned. This connects to the central nervous system, providing both physical and mental relief.
By massaging key points on your face, head, and neck, you'll feel the day's stress melt away. This can help bring your energy down before bed or refresh and kick-start your morning with a clear mind. It's particularly beneficial for those who grind their teeth at night, clench their jaw, or have built up tension over the years causing muscle inflammation.
If you’re already investing in quality skincare products, it makes sense to get the most from of them. When you incorporate facial massage into your routine, you’re helping your skin to absorb serums, moisturisers and oils more effectively. Massage allows products to penetrate deeper, ensuring that your skin reaps all the benefits. If you're short on time, try incorporating some simple facial massage movements during your cleansing step, then follow with your normal skincare routine.
Quick tips for an A-list glow on a budget
While facial massage is a fantastic way to achieve that celebrity-worthy skin, there are also some quick and easy techniques you can use when you're short on time or money. These simple methods can give you that extra boost of radiance:
The dessert spoon hack:
For those puffy-eyed mornings, try this simple yet effective technique:
1.Place two dessert spoons in sealed bags in the freezer—keep these on standby.
2.When needed, lie down and place the cold spoons over your closed eyes, with the curved side resting on your eye bags.
3.Hold the spoons in place for a few minutes, or until they become warm.
This quick trick will help de-puff and refresh your delicate under-eye area, leaving you looking well-rested and glowing.
The invigorating ice water facial
For a quick skin pick-me-up:
1.Fill a bowl with water and ice.
2.Gently submerge your face in it for a few seconds.
Cold plunges like this reduce inflammation while energising the skin. This can temporarily reduce redness or tenderness in blemishes and rosacea-prone skin, giving you that coveted A-list complexion.
The cold water splash method
If submerging your face in ice water seems too intense, try this gentler alternative:
Splash your face with cold water 30 times. This method can help tighten pores, boost circulation, and give your skin a natural, healthy glow.
