Consumer Perspective—Facial Massage for Skin Care Application

By: Katerina Steventon, PhD, FaceWorkshops

Posted: December 4, 2012, from the December 2012 issue of Cosmetics & Toiletries.

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One recent study conducted an evaluation of effleurage on moisturizer efficacy.¹⁹ Female volunteers massaged one forearm for one minute twice a day with superficial effleurage movements for two weeks, followed by a week of regression. Although the moisturizer application improved skin hydration, elasticity and barrier function, the adjunct massage intervention did not enhance the moisturizer efficacy. Even though the forearm has been proven to be representative of the face for some noninvasive measurements,²⁰ the facial structure of bones, muscles and varied skin barrier integrity and sensitivity in the distinct facial areas are different. Also, the type and intensity of the massage movement as well as the length of the massage intervention have to be taken into consideration when designing new massage protocols to benefit moisturizer application. Skin care manufacturers should incorporate evidence-based massage into application instructions. However, before providing these massage instructions, those companies should conduct studies to substantiate the anti-aging or at least enhanced moisturizing benefits of this application technique for the face, avoiding testing on the forearm.

References
Send e-mail to katerinasteventon@yahoo.co.uk.
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