by Skincare-news.com team
When life gets hectic and your skin starts to reflect this situation, don’t let stress become a skincare buster. Instead, incorporate a non-traditional skincare treatment into your routine, massage therapy, for reduced stress and glowing skin.
It’s no secret that massage therapy improves circulation, relieves stress, and helps alleviate pain, but did you know that just an hour spent at the local spa, or with your favorite massage therapist is a rejuvenating treat for your skin, as well?
Massage increases blood flow, improves circulation and releases toxins, all of which can help keep the skin clear and healthy. In fact, healthy circulation does quite a bit for the skin; it stimulates sensory nerve endings, heightening physical awareness and perception, and also floods the body with oxygen, imparting the skin with a healthy color and tone. More importantly, because massage helps improve circulation, it may also help keep the pores clear and the skin unblemished—a skincare goal for most everyone! Additionally, improved circulation stimulates the sweat glands, which regulate body temperature, as well as release toxins from your body. Improving this function may help improve the clarity of the skin, as well. When the skin is functioning optimally, it has been suggested that it can eliminate up to two pounds of waste acids daily, and as a result, balance the moisture in your skin
As we all know, clogged pores can lead to zits, pimples and blemishes. But what exactly causes pores to become clogged? Unfortunately, many things, some of which are unavoidable. Dead, dry skin, dirt, oil and makeup can all block pores, especially if the skin is not cleansed and exfoliated on a regular basis. Healthy pores are normally microscopic and practically undetectable. However, once they become clogged or blocked with a white or black head, they turn into the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, leading to blemishes and break-outs. Because massage uses friction on the skin it may help keep the pores clear by manually exfoliating away the dead skin. To maintain these benefits, use a clarifying cleanser to gently lift away dead skin and dirt, such as Dr. Brandt Poreless Cleanser, SkinCeuticals Clarifying Cleanser and for the body: Murad Acne Body Wash.
And there’s more! Massage may help reduce or re-align superficial scar tissue after surgery, reduce the appearance of stretch marks, and promote tissue regeneration. As the skin heals from a trauma, scar tissue may form, which often binds together many layers of muscle and connective tissue resulting in an unattractive or even painful scar. Also, depending upon the size, as it heals a scar may limit your range-of-motion or movement. By manipulating the skin and muscles with deep-tissue massage, you may be able to side-step some of this discomfort and speed healing. However, always check with your doctor first before starting a course of massage therapy as some wounds need to heal completely before they are manipulated or disturbed by a massage.
Finally, those lotions, potions and oils used by the massage therapist?? All are excellent for the body, and many are chock-full of essential oils, vitamins and anti-oxidants to improve the tone, texture and suppleness of the skin. To maintain this benefit at home, keep your own supply of massage oils on hand: Yonka Huile Corps, Pevonia Nymphea Dry Oil Body Moisturizer or L’Occitane Almond Supple Skin Oil are great choices.
As if massage wasn’t enjoyable enough for stress relief, it is even more enjoyable knowing it’s good for your skin, as well. Whether you visit a professional or indulge in an at-home massage, keep your skin glowing and in good health with a luxurious massage and smart skincare!