A Little History On Facial Massage

Swedish massage – the ‘Classical’ massage was developed by Per Henrik Ling [1776-1838] from traditional Chinese medicine. From it, we get the techniques of effleurage (stroking), petrissage (lifting and kneading), friction (pressure), tapotement (tapping) and vibration (vibrating).

Why massage?

Signs of age appearing in the skin—wrinkles, flabbiness and sagging—are due mainly to four factors—sluggish circulation, loss of skin elasticity, loss of subcutaneous fat, and a disturbance in muscle tonus (a condition resulting from repeated use of the muscles). All of these conditions respond to massage. (Modern Beauty, 1930)

What massage does?

– Exercises the muscles gently and makes the tissues firmer
– Brings about an improvement in the friction of the skin, thus causing an improvement in coloring and general appearance
– Increases nutrition by attracting blood to the surface
– Destroys effete matter and stimulates lymph channels in their work of carrying away this waste
– Stimulates the nerves to greater activity
– Increases blood and lymph supply by effect on nerves

– Eradicates superficial lines and imparts a more youthful expression to the face

(Lloyd, 1915, pp. 132-133)

Until today, Swedish massage is still being widely trained and practised all around the world, Treatments for both the face and body performed with vibration and suction motions are still very common nowadays!