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By mastering Japanese facial massage and devoting just 10 minutes a day to it, you can slow down the aging process of the skin and even restore youthful outlines to your face. Don’t believe? Read this article.
What is Japanese facial massage
This ancient technique was revived by a Japanese stylist named Yukuko Tanaka. Moreover, she adapted massage for home use and shared with the whole world Japanese beauty secrets, until then inaccessible.
It is curious that this massage is known to the international audience as zogan (“creating a face”) or Tanaka massage (after the author), and only the Russian audience knows it as asahi (“rising sun”) massage. So he was christened by Laine Butter, one of the first domestic experts in facial practices, who found a description of the technique on the Internet and opened it to our audience, although at first it was very limited, because we are talking about the times when people communicated on closed forums of interest. A lot of valuable information could be found there.
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So, asahi massage is a Japanese lymphatic drainage massage. And therefore, he is able to deal with the phenomena that are associated with fluid retention in the face and neck area. And there are many such events:
fuzzy oval of the face;
flew;
double chin;
nasolabial folds;
bags under the eyes;
deep folds and creases on the face;
heavy face and pastosity.
That is, we are talking about the visible manifestations of facial aging and changes in its proportions. So Asahi is deservedly called the Japanese rejuvenating facial massage.
By the way, another name for this massage is baby face, that is, a child’s face, and in this case we are talking about turgor. The effect of an elastic baby face is achieved precisely due to powerful drainage and getting rid of persistent edema.
Противопоказания
Contraindications to lymphatic drainage massage are standard:
infection;
any ENT diseases;
cold;
inflammatory skin diseases;
pathology of the lymphatic system.
Also, you should not get carried away with this Japanese massage method with mild subcutaneous fat on the face and sunken cheeks, otherwise, instead of rejuvenation, you can get the opposite effect – a “dried” emaciated face.
Types of Japanese rejuvenating facial massage
As you know, skin care in Japan is a whole ritual, and facial massage is an indispensable element of it.
Asahi
Japanese self-massage of the face with lymphatic drainage effect. The correct pronunciation is tsoghan-massage. It is also called Y-massage or two-finger massage, since most of the elements are performed with 2 fingers. How it is carried out in practice, we will describe below in detail.
Japanese facial massage is also called baby face.
Kobido
Professional “imperial” Japanese facial massage, aimed at balancing the facial muscles and harmonizing energy flows, has a beneficial effect on the emotional state, helps to get rid of swelling and partially wrinkles. Kobido uses elements of acupuncture, interoral massage (through the oral cavity), deep muscle work, and lymphatic drainage. Great technique, but not for home performance.
Flags
A very deep Japanese massage for facial rejuvenation, during which the bone structures of the skull are mainly worked out. Korugi normalizes lymph and blood flow, as a result, the face becomes toned. Not for independent practice. Only professionals can perform it.
Shiatsu
The name of this massage is more popular, as its elements are often used in professional procedures and programs of European cosmetic brands. Shiatsu is a point, acupressure massage. Shi means “fingers”, atsu means “pressure”. The essence of the massage is to stimulate energy points on the face or on the body: for relaxation, toning, saturation of cells with oxygen.
How to prepare for a facelift massage session
No extra preparation is required. The main thing is that no one bothers you.
Asahi is performed only in front of a mirror – do not do anything by touch or blindly.
Sitting or standing, it doesn’t matter. The back should be straight, and the neck should be its continuation.
Wash your face immediately before the massage.
This Japanese massage is done using oil. A nourishing cream or balm is also suitable. A small amount of product is distributed over the skin. The main thing is that the fingers slide over the face without resistance. In our review, we will offer suitable, in our opinion, options.
After the massage, you need to wash again.
Asahi massage is done in the morning or in the morning – not before bedtime.
The total execution time is about 10 minutes. But while you master and memorize the techniques, the session will take more time.
How to do lymphatic drainage Japanese Asahi facial massage at home
General rules: movements should be smooth, and the pressure should not be too strong, no pain should occur, but this is not about stroking, but about pressure, albeit soft. The fingers are close to the skin. All complexes are performed three times.
The first thing to learn is the location of the three lymph nodes through which the fluid will be driven, from top to bottom:
near the ear;
under the lower jaw;
in the fossa of the clavicle.
Almost every technique ends with a “passage” to these points with a small stop at each of them and light pressure.
Japanese massage is carried out along the lymph flow, from top to bottom. © Healthy-Food
Warm-up
With index and middle fingers, pass on both sides of the face from point 1 to point 2 and the final point number 3. Repeat three times. The same movement will complete the massage of almost all areas of the face in the future.
forehead massage
Place the index, middle and ring fingers of both hands in the middle of the forehead.
Press your fingers against your skin.
With pressure, direct your fingers to the temples, as if you want to straighten the tissues.
Having reached the temples, turn your palms so that the fingertips look up without tearing them off.
Head down to point number 1.
And then down – to points 2 and 3, as in a warm-up.
Massage around the eyes
Here you seem to draw a semicircle around the orbit: first along the lower edge of the orbit, then along the upper, then twice along the lower.
Place the pads of your middle fingers at the outer corners of your eyes.
Move them along the orbital bone to the inner corners of the eyes. Hold up.
Slide up, drawing a semicircle on top of the bone. When you reach the temporal edge, stop.
Repeat steps 1 and 2.
Go back to the outer corners of the eyes, but along the bottom edge. Hold up.
Glide to point number 1 near the ear and continue along the familiar route.
Mouth and chin massage
These most congested areas should be given special attention.
Place the middle and ring fingers of both hands in the dimple in the middle of the chin. Lock with pressure.
Without releasing pressure, draw a rim around the lips with your fingers so that the fingers meet in the recess above the upper lip.
Without releasing pressure, move the tissues towards the nasal septum.
Pull your fingers away from your face.
Repeat the exercise 3 times.
Please note that here the final reception along the lymph flow is not performed.
Massage of the nose, nasolabial triangle
Place your middle fingers in the dimples on either side of your nose.
Make five movements up and down in an arc around the wings of the nose.
With your middle and ring fingers, rub the sides of your nose towards the bridge of your nose – up and down and up again. Be careful, the skin of the lower eyelids is not involved here.
Next, head to the ear – point number one. Further – to points 2 and 3. As usual.
Lifting the corners of the lips and cheeks
Place the fingers of both hands in the hole in the center of the chin.
Pushing the tissues, move to the corners of the lips.
With the same pressure, move along the line of the nose to the lower orbital bone. Hold up.
Move to the ear and further, according to the plan, down.
It is important to complete the entire penetration without taking your hands off your face. Unaccustomed to this, it can be difficult. Do not rush, calmly master the movements and their sequence.
Cheek lift
This technique is performed first on one side of the face, then on the other. The movements must be confident, and the adhesion to the tissues must be strong.
Fix one side of the face by placing the palm under the cheek.
With the palm of your other hand, make a diagonal pass from the corner of the jaw to the inner corner of the eye, diagonally. Hold up.
Slide to point number 1 near the ear. Next is the final step.
Cheek strengthening
Place your fingers horizontally on your cheeks on both sides of your nose.
Move your fingers slightly towards your nose and hold.
Next, slowly slide to the ear.
Let’s do the final step.
Shaping cheekbones
Put your palms together as in prayer, and then open them.
Place your open palms on either side of the corners of your lips.
Head through the cheekbones towards the temples.
Stop near your ear.
Make the final pass.
Against the second chin
This technique is performed first on one side, then on the other.
Place the base of your palm on the bone under your chin.
Make a sliding penetration along the jaw arch towards the ear.
Facelift
Place your palms on both sides of the nose with a “house” so that the tips of the index fingers are on the bridge of the nose, and the large ones naturally converge at the chin.
With good emphasis, spread your fingers to the temples, as if you want to stretch the skin.
Perform the final pass.
Forehead relaxation
With your fingertips, make zag-zag movements along the forehead: from right to left with one hand, and then from left to right with the other. Thus, the frontal muscle is worked out evenly – both vertically and horizontally.
Finish with the forehead massage that started this practice, thus completing the circle of this graceful massage.
The effect of Japanese massage: what you can count on
With regular and competent asahi / zogan massage, you can count on a visible and lasting effect – a more toned, refreshed and, let’s not be afraid of this word, rejuvenated face. By eliminating stagnation and opening channels for free lymph and blood flow, the face can return to its former contours. And if you get down to business at a fairly young age (up to 40), you can achieve a chiseled face. However, it is never too late to start practicing Japanese asahi massage – and after 50, and at 65, and older.
However, it must be remembered that lymphatic drainage alone is not enough. It is important to work with facial muscles, regain your neck and posture, perform facial gymnastics, master face building and other facial practices. Fortunately, today there is a lot of information – there is plenty to choose from. And, of course, take care of the skin with cosmetics, for example, against wrinkles.
Products suitable for massage
Since Japanese massage is performed after oil is applied, we have put together a selection of products that Healthy-Food says can provide a smooth glide during the procedure: cleansing and beauty oils, milk, nourishing masks or balm. The main thing – remember that you need to cleanse the skin after the massage.
Smoothness and Radiance Facial Oil, Garnier Bio
With natural vegetable oils, including organic ones (argan, lavandin oil), it spreads easily over the face – it only takes a few drops. The oil immediately softens the skin, and with prolonged use makes it more radiant, smooth. Exudes a subtle relaxing scent of lavender. Read more about face oil here.
Face cream-oil “Luxury food”, L’Oréal Paris
Recommended for those with dry to very dry skin. We hope that its nourishing and at the same time melting texture will help to ensure that the massage goes “like clockwork”.
Extraordinary Transforming Facial Oil “Luxury Nutrition”, L’Oréal Paris
Contains nourishing rosehip and jojoba oils, as well as a mix of eight essential oils: benefit and pleasure in one bottle (with dropper).
Oil for removing makeup and cleansing the skin of the face Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil, Kiehl’s
Again, a cleansing oil, this time with evening primrose oil, as well as squalane and lavender essential oil. It is convenient that such a product can be safely applied to the skin of the eyelids without fear of a negative reaction – here is another argument in favor of using “hydrophilic” oil as a basis for massage. After the massage, wash your face – when combined with water, the oil turns into an emulsion and leaves the skin soft and smooth. It is known that thanks to the aroma of lavender, this wonderful oil also helps to fall asleep, it is no coincidence that it is called “midnight”.