A pilot study on the immediate effects of modified facial massage on blood flow, temperature, and elasticity of facial skin

Abstract

In recent days, aesthetic treatments for facial wrinkle reduction and increase elasticity or rejuvenation are very popular. Facial massage may be one of the good choices to achieve such results. This study was Quasi-experimental research (one group) with objectives to compare blood flow, temperature and elasticity of facial skin before and after having been treated with modified facial massage. The subjects of the study were 21 healthy volunteer women aged between 30 - 50 years.   Finger kneading and acupressure techniques of facial massage for 20 minutes were applied. The results showed that after the facial massage, facial skin blood flow of the volunteers increased for 14.02 + 8.83 perfusion unit (95 % CI = 10.18 -17.86 perfusion unit,  P < 0.001).  Temperature (0.29 + 0.20 °C) and elasticity (9.90 + 4.90 % on right and 10.98 + 10.51 % on left) of the facial skin were also observed to improve. Ninety five percents of the volunteers attained high to the highest levels of overall satisfaction. In conclusion, modified facial massage resulted in increasing facial blood flow, skin temperature and elasticity. It is suggested that this type of facial massage could be one of the suitable alternatives for facial health care.