It’s the holiday season, a time when stress levels rise higher than mountain peaks for most of us.  How does African American skin react to stressful situations?

According to Stretch Dowse, MD, a Victorian Physician of 1887, he makes the statement that “Some physicians suggest that stress may be responsible for 75% of all diseases in the Western world, including skin diseases (e.g. psoriasis and eczema) headaches and migraine, digestive disorders, high blood pressure and heart-related diseases, as well as backache and muscle pain, poor eyesight and depression … solution is to find ways to manage the stress… one way is the use of massage therapy.”

What does that say to you about all of the challenges you encounter on a daily basis?  It’s now known that an effective massage, facial or body,  goes way beyond relaxing you as clients.

History of Massage

Massage is an ancient technique prevalent in cultures of the Chinese, Egyptians, Indians and Romans as a therapeutic form of medicine.

In the 19^th century Pehr Henrik Ling developed what you now know to be Swedish massage.

But what about facial massages and how do they help in soothing stressful moments during the holiday season.

Benefits of a Facial Massage for Your Beautiful Black Skin

When performed correctly, a facial massage provides you with a wealth of benefits for your health and your skin.

A facial massage:

• Stimulates circulation
• Eases muscle tension
• Hydrates your skin by bringing nutrients to the surface layer of your skin
• Oxygenates your skin’s tissue
• Stimulates sebaceous production
• Detoxifies and
• Releases toxins trapped between your tissues and muscles
• R-e-l-a-x-e-s  You!

When you receive a facial massage not only are you in for a relaxing encounter but also the skin therapist treating you has a deep understanding of how your skin works and knows how to optimize your treatment giving you the best results.

How Does a Facial Massage Work?

Typically the massage portion of your facial will last 10-15 minutes.  It should come after the cleansing and before the masque.

You will experience, tapping, kneading, vibrating and short and long strokes.

When is the massage portion not a part of a facial?  If you have broken or bruised skin you should not have a facial massage.  Some therapist will not give facials if you have acne but that becomes a matter of personal preference for the therapist.

A light massage cream or jojoba oil should be applied to your face and décolleté to provide the ideal glide and slip on your skin.

A facial massage will benefit your health and your appearance.  When done correctly, it will provide a healthy glow to your complexion.

While you’re at it, a full body massage wouldn’t be a bad idea right about now!

Dedicated To Your Beauty,

Juliette Samuel

Esthetician/Author/Publisher

Nyraju Skin Care