When exercising in squares or parks, we often see elderly people scraping their faces, cheeks, and eye sockets under trees. Traditional Chinese medicine holds that the face contains numerous acupoints. Regularly massaging and scraping these points can rejuvenate the skin and make one appear more vibrant.
Facial Acupoint Massage for Skincare and Wrinkle Reduction:
Smoothing Forehead Lines
Forehead lines result from forehead muscle movement. Self-massage technique: First, gently press both sides of the upper eye sockets with the palms of both hands. Push upward from the lower eyelids toward the hairline on the forehead, repeating several times. Avoid back-and-forth movements, as this may worsen forehead lines.Next, extend and align the index, middle, and ring fingers of both hands. Use the pads of these fingers to gently press the front of both temples. Slowly and gently push outward from the center of the eyebrows toward the sides. Apply slightly more pressure on deeper forehead creases to flatten or eliminate them. Simultaneously, use the pads of the middle fingers to gently press and knead the Yangbai and Touwei acupoints on both sides. Apply moderate pressure without excessive force.
Smooth Away Crow's Feet and Eye Bags
Contraction of the orbicularis oculi muscle creates wrinkles at the corners of the eyes. To reduce wrinkles and eye bags: Use the spiral surface of the middle finger to gently scrape from the inner corner of the eye along the brow ridge, lower orbital rim, upper eyelid, and lower eyelid toward the outer corner. Then, use the pads of both middle fingers to gently push outward and upward from the outer corner of the eye.Combine with targeted acupressure on the pupils, temples, Chengqi, and Sibai points to enhance results. Ensure movements are gentle and slow. Trim nails before performing to avoid corneal injury.
Smooth Nasal Root Horizontal Lines
The corrugator supercilii muscle lies beneath the orbicularis oculi and frontalis muscles, positioned between the brow ridges.The depressor supercilii muscle extends from the frontalis muscle, originating at the nasal root and terminating at the skin between the eyebrows. When contracted, both muscles pull the skin downward, creating horizontal lines at the nasal root. To eliminate these lines: Gently pinch the skin at the nasal root with the thumb and index finger of one hand, lifting it forward. Repeat this pinching motion several times.
It is important to note that when performing pushing or scraping techniques on the face, maintain focused attention. Apply even, gentle, and deep pressure—avoid fluctuating intensity or varying speeds. Facial techniques require no scraping tools or other aids. Repeat each movement about five times per session, avoiding excessive repetition. Perform one to two sessions daily. If available, apply a small amount of olive oil to aid massage.
Three Major Contraindications for Facial Massage:
Contraindication 1: Never push facial muscles downward.
Contraindication 2: If skin is peeling, hydrate thoroughly first.
Prohibition 3: Avoid massage when the face is red or irritated, as it may overstimulate circulation.
Three Key Techniques for Facial Massage:
Technique 1: Always move upward—this is the golden rule.
Technique 2: Begin at the center of the face.
Technique 3: Warm your hands by rubbing them together before massaging with gentle warmth.