Ayurvedic Facial Massage Brightens Your Skin & Reduces Toxins
For thousands of years, cultures around the world have relied on massage techniques to promote whole-body healing—think moving lymph fluid, increasing circulation, aiding detoxification, and more. Given these benefits, it’s really no wonder these modalities have withstood the test of time; you might opt for a gentle at-home facial versus full-on bodywork, but still, you pay homage to ancient healing techniques with each scrape across your jawline.
You can use your own two hands, but if you do opt for a tool, make sure to use one with pure kansa, which helps detoxify the skin. “In Ayurveda, there is no facial tool more sacred or celebrated than the Kansa Wand. The word kansa, derived from Sanskrit—the language of ancient India—is a mixture of copper and tin and is often referred to as the ‘bell metal,’ a metal selected for its purification and balancing benefits. It is anti-inflammatory and adds a calming presence to the skin.”
Do the massage.
Below, find step-by-step instructions:
To prep, apply a few drops of oil to your skin.
Hold the wand (or your two fingers, if you’re not using tools) at the center of your chin. Massage the wand in circular motions, warming the oil as you follow the jawline and end at the bottom of the ear. Repeat 4 to 5 times and switch sides.
Then hold the wand at the corner of your mouth and massage in circular motions up the natural lines of your cheekbones. Stop at the center of your ear, repeating 4 to 5 times before switching sides.
Finally, end your treatment by making gentle figure-eight motions around the temples of your eyes, forehead, and above the eyebrows.
Rinse the residue.
As you massage with pure kansa, you may notice a slightly gray residue appear on your skin— that’s a good thing! As the material draws out inflammation and interacts with the oils on your skin, it creates a reaction that can result in a light gray substance.
It’s similar to how you might see a bit of redness while using a gua sha—that represents the “sha” coming up on the surface of the skin as you scrape.
“The kansa wand will oxidize the oils on the skin as it purifies. This residue washes off easily and can serve as an indicator to how balanced your skin is. Simply rinse your face with a gentle cleanser and cloth post-massage, and always follow up with a nourishing face cream to lock in the hydration.
Regular facial massage is top-notch for promoting tighter, firmer, more lifted skin, but if you follow these ancient Ayurvedic guidelines, you can further detoxify your complexion. Kansa is a sacred material that has been beloved for over 5,000 years thanks to its skin-healing abilities, so it’s certainly a worthy addition to your routine.
No Comments