There are times–too many in our modern, fast-paced society–when the physical and mental pressures of the day can have a detrimental effect on our bodies. Work-related stress tightens muscles throughout the body, but can be seen most easily in the frown lines on your face. Not getting enough sleep reduces the circulation in your body and gives rise to puffy skin and bags under the eyes. Fast foods and reliance on makeup to cover the blemishes of not-perfect skin clogs the pores of the face with oils and makes pimples and blackheads more prevalent.

It would be great if everyone could just eliminate stress, get plenty of sleep and eat properly, but that is wishful thinking. Stress will always be part of our lives and none of us do everything we should when it comes to taking care of our bodies. There is a way, however, to reduce the visible signs of that stress and poor living while helping your skin stay smooth and youthful looking. The first step in getting the face’s “natural glow” of being healthy is by pampering yourself with a facial massage.

Most people think that massage is an indulgence, but there are many healthy reasons that a facial massage can be beneficial for your skin. Not to mention, the healthier you are, the happier you look.

Facial massage is not a facial

Although some of the techniques are similar, there are big differences between getting a facial massage and getting a facial. A facial uses creams, lotions and other treatments applied to the face while getting some massage. A facial massage skips the chemicals and goes straight to manipulating the muscles of the face to tone them and help blood circulation.

A facial has specific benefits for your looks, but the process is designed to cover up and hide imperfections more than to reduce the problem in the first place. Lotions, creams and makeup will improve the look of your skin until they wear off, while the benefits of facial massage are more fundamental to overall health and care.

Some of the benefits of getting a facial massage include:

• Stress reduction

Stress is one of the major problems with modern life. There seems to be nowhere to go to escape it. Work, family and social stresses combine to throw our body’s natural defense systems out of sync. Facial massage is a good way to relax the muscles and push that stress away. The time spent getting a massage gives your body the time to relax and recharge it’s natural defenses.

• Promotion of good circulation

Facial massage boosts blood circulation. The expansion of capillaries in the face increases the supply of oxygen to facial tissue which reduces wrinkles, fine lines and the overt signs of aging. Better blood flow also gives your face the natural glow that everyone wants.

• Wrinkle reduction

In addition to increases in circulation, massage will strengthen the muscles of the face making them stronger and reducing small wrinkles and age lines in the face. Overall, a regular facial massage regimen can make you look years younger.

• Firming the skin

As we age, the elasticity of the skin on our face decreases causing sagging skin and puffiness. Facial massage can improve the elasticity of the skin and, with the increase of circulation, will tone and shape your face.

• Pimple and whitehead reduction

Facial massage helps reduce pimples and other facial blemishes by relaxing the muscles and opening the pores of the face allowing trapped oils and dirt to be washed off of the face without resorting to harsh chemical cleansers.

These are just a few of the benefits of facial massage. There are a multitude of other advantages to regular pampering of your face.

Keeping it real

Regular facial massage will help keep your skin young-looking and healthy, but to get the biggest advantages for your health and beauty it needs to be combined with healthy diet, a reasonable exercise program and the proper application of makeup to keep your whole body healthy. Spending too much time on just one of those steps will help but won’t give you the full benefit of doing all of them.

Drink plenty of water, eat healthy foods that have the essential proteins that your muscles and skin need to be healthy and focus your exercise regimen on those exercises that will help your skin and muscles without damaging joints and muscles. Everything, of course, should be done in moderation with the goal being overall health.

Your skin is the largest organ of the body and you only get one of them during your whole life. Taking care of it should be an important part of your thinking. Pampering it can be one of the healthiest choices you can make.  

Author bio: Aside from his primary area of interest and expertise in business consulting for Sydney plastic surgery experts, Ian could also be tagged as a passionate sports fan, and nature and photography enthusiast, always trying to keep up to date with tech innovations and development, with a particular interest in trying to master the fine art of social intelligence.