Thai face and head massage: your cosmetology paradise!

The essence of massage

Facial massage with herbal bags originated in Thailand almost three centuries ago, when the local masters combined the effects of medicinal herbs, spices, cereals and other gifts of nature with a unique targeted effect. Special “health points” are located throughout the human body. Warm bags are used for massage.

This technique is the best combination of several fundamental ones:

• Classic Thai massage. The process begins with the traditional warming up of the body with your hands. And this is an additional benefit for muscles, ligaments and skeleton.
• Acupuncture technique. Massage with bags - acupressure. When certain areas of the body are professionally treated, the internal organs “wake up” and start the healing process.
• Thermal procedures. Heated bags open pores, stimulate blood and lymph, and give a detox effect.
• Phytotherapy. Open pores easily accept the beneficial components of herbal bags, which has a positive effect on the internal and external conditions of the body.
• Aromatherapy. Fragrant infusions bring thoughts and body into harmony, relax, relieve stress and make the procedure endlessly pleasant.

For face

Facial massage with herbal bags gives an amazing lifting effect. And the main thing is that you don’t have to contact a specialist for this; you can do it at home yourself.

The right fillers and proper work with the bags equal amazing results for the face and the whole body:

• Strengthening the walls of blood vessels;
• Relieving muscle tension, “social mask”;
• Gentle peeling;
• Saturation of herbal infusions with beneficial substances;
• Antiseptic effect;
• Increasing elasticity and protective mechanisms of the skin;
• Warming up;
• Meditation, improving well-being and quality of sleep;
• Detoxification.

Indications for massage

The versatility of massage with Thai bags allows it to be used for many facial skin problems:

• Acne, blackheads and other rashes;
• Dryness, peeling;
• Excessive fat content;
• Expression wrinkles;
• Pigmentation;
• Congestive blood circulation;
• Clogged pores.

Important: Without an integrated approach, this massage is unlikely to cope with severe cases of skin damage.

Different types of massage in Thailand

There are two styles of traditional Thai massage: jap sen and stretching. In the first case, using the thumb and index finger, pressure is applied for five or more seconds on certain points associated with the directions of the energy lines. The massage therapist applies pressure to these points to release tension, helping to cleanse the body of toxins. Stretching is more common in yoga practice to improve flexibility, plasticity and circulation.

There are more than eight variations of Thai massage depending on the region of Thailand. For example, in the north they pay more attention to stretching, in central Thailand they focus on working with energy points. Ancient massage, or Nuat Phen Boran, as the Thais call it, is an integral tradition of the Kingdom. Although Thai traditional medicine originates in Tibet, China and India, Nuat Phen Boran is primarily the preserve of the northern part of Thailand.

Throughout most of Thailand you can find Thai massage, which includes elements of stretching and working with energy points. There are three main types of massage: traditional Thai, herbal massage and foot reflexology.

Home massage with herbal bags

Before preparing the skin for the procedure, we “set up” the bags: already with herbs inside, place them in hot water for 15–20 minutes. An even more effective option is to steam the contents. Then the dried plants will be able to release the maximum benefits for your body.

After cleansing your face, you can apply oil or cream without strong fragrances, with an action and smell that does not conflict with the composition of the bags. The best part is that the effect of the cosmetic product, especially considering the heating, will be enhanced by the herbal mixture and vice versa.

When the bags are steamed and cooled to a comfortable temperature, we begin the session.

1. According to the Thai method, it is necessary to apply precise pressure, lightly stroke, roll and move the bags in a circle;
2. Herbs must remain warm at all times, so periodically heat them over steam;
3. It is strongly recommended not to do more than ten such heatings during the entire session;
4. Every time before touching the skin, check the pouch on the inside of your wrist;
5. Massage movements follow traditional lines.

There is a small life hack for more effective detoxification of facial skin: massage the area at the outer tip of the eyebrows, the area in front of the ears, and walk along the line of the jawbone and behind it. These techniques refresh, smooth and tighten the skin as much as possible.

The herbal composition of each bag can be used up to five times. That is, dry it after the procedure and keep it in a bag in the refrigerator or freezer until the next massage. By heating the contents once again, you can easily activate its healing properties.

Technique

This massage is specific in the sense that it will be more effective if performed in a salon. The technique itself is accessible to everyone, but the cosmetics used in massage are not so easy to obtain. Although their absence is not very critical, you should still try to acquire specialized products produced in the Asian region. First you need to take a light ointment - its choice depends on the type of skin on your face. The massage will take approximately 5 minutes, and about 1 teaspoon of ointment will be enough for this time. An alternative to ointment can be lotion. The procedure begins with the throat. You should tap the base of the throat, but do it gently. You need to glide from the jawline to the very base of the ears, and then perform circular movements along the cheeks, capturing the areas around the lips and in front of the ears. When it comes to the eyes, you only need to follow the correct direction - it consists of moving, starting from the outer edge and moving further inward. You only need to use your fingertips. The forehead is massaged in a circular motion, with both hands, and you should start from the center and move towards its edges. Each step must be repeated at least 5 times, otherwise you will not get the desired effect. As for the ointment, everything remains at the discretion of the patient. You can leave it on, or you can wipe it off, it doesn’t play a special role.

It is important to remember that the skin on the face is very delicate, regardless of age. It can be compared to fabric, so the pressure should always be no more than moderate. There is no need for strong influences here.

How to make bags for Thai massage with your own hands

A ready-made bag with a full set of herbs costs around 100–200 rubles, depending on the fabric and the rarity of the plants in the composition. Remember that the maximum number of sessions with one bag is five. In addition, due to grinding, it is impossible to check the composition for compliance with the packaging without a laboratory. The medicinal properties of herbs are also affected by storage conditions.

To be absolutely sure of the quality of the massage bag, it is better to make it yourself. It's very simple.

Choosing the composition

It is not necessary to order Tibetan herbs to achieve the desired effect from your sessions. Our pharmacies are simply a storehouse of useful domestic herbs, which are not inferior in effectiveness to “foreign” ones.

The best ones:

• Chamomile - antimicrobial, against inflammation and irritation;
• Valerian - relaxes the brain and body;
• Sea buckthorn - regenerates and dries;
• Clover - disinfects and soothes irritations;
• Licorice - affects inflamed areas of the skin;
• Ginseng - renews skin cells and activates blood circulation;
• Lavender is antimicrobial, soothes the skin and relaxes the body;
• Calendula - stimulates blood circulation, relieves inflammation;
• Bay leaf is an antiseptic and renews the epidermis.

Important: Even massage with natural herbal bags is not the case when “the more, the more effective.” The abundance of different herbs with the same effect may be excessive for the skin.

There are no special recommendations for “forbs”. A classic Thai bag contains up to two dozen types of herbs. It weighs a hundred or two grams and is made from natural fabrics to eliminate allergies.

Collecting the bag

The material used is high-quality, dense gauze, folded several times, linen or cotton fabrics. A convenient size is 40 by 40 cm, then the square can be trimmed if necessary.

1. The “stuffing” is done simply: in the center of a piece of fabric you need to pour a handful of chopped herbs with a circumference of 10–15 cm (for a bag 40 by 40 cm);
2. Then the fabric is folded: first from the corners, then from the edges to the center;
3. The already folded bag must be crumpled and compacted to the limit, leaving no voids. This is done so that when soaking and heating the bag does not dangle and is as tight as possible;
4. We make a “holder” - the handle of the bag. You need to select the larger end of the fabric and insert the remaining ends into it. To the base of the handle (the point where the bag ends and the tails of the fabric begin) we tie a strip of the same material (a couple of centimeters wide) or a piece of thick rope. We choose the length ourselves - the bag with a handle should fit comfortably in your hand and be easy to move during a massage. This fabric strip or rope needs to be wrapped around the assembled ends of the bag up and down (back and forth, overlapping);
5. The remaining tail of the wrapping fabric is tied with a knot at the base of the handle. The ends of the knot are not cut off, but inserted into the winding. This can be done with tweezers or nail scissors.

Carefully review the herbal composition before adding it to the bag. Remove any sticks, dense or prickly particles.

Level of Thai massage therapists

The approximate level of the vast majority of Thai massage therapists = “grandmother taught me.”

All beach massage therapists are from the village, without any education. No certificates or licenses - God forbid!

Knowledge of the anatomy of the body or at least some medical knowledge - God forbid! There is none of them.

The grandmother (aunt/friend) showed several massage steps and now the newly minted masseur breaks the arms/legs of the farangs.

He twists his body so that the farang will then pay money at home to have his displaced spinal discs put in place.

They crush with their elbows everything that comes into their elbow on the back of the farang. And to perpetuate the injuries, they can walk along the spine with dirty feet.

Have you ever seen Thais buying a massage on the beach or at a massage shop? And you won't see it. Because Thais who can afford to relax at the seaside go to spa salons, where at least the workers have some kind of special education.

Contraindications

As with any cosmetic procedure, before massage with herbs it is necessary to exclude allergic reactions to the composition.

In addition, there is a list of cases when Thai facial massage with bags is contraindicated:

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• Skin diseases that cause severe damage;
• ARVI and acute respiratory infections;
• Fresh wounds, cuts, burns of any origin, insufficiently healed surgical sutures.

The first session of this massage is carried out no earlier than two weeks after aggressive cosmetic effects (such as chemical peeling or laser cleaning). Since two-week skin rehabilitation after them implies severe peeling and natural restoration of skin cells.

How often should I use it?

The duration of the massage course depends on the condition of the patient’s skin and the expected result. The average course is designed for 8-15 procedures, which are performed after 1-2 days. If the purpose of massage is to prevent the appearance of wrinkles, then sessions should be carried out at least once every 7-10 days. If Thai massage is part of a facial care complex, then one procedure every 14-20 days is enough.

At home, massage can be performed after an evening shower, when the skin is steamed. If there are no contraindications, then sessions are carried out every 2-3 days. During treatment, be sure to use oils and medicinal mixtures of oils, decoctions and cosmetics.

Thai massage is an effective facial massage and a means of preventing wrinkles, sagging skin and the appearance of stretch marks. Positive changes can be noticed after the first procedure: a healthy complexion appears, circles under the eyes are reduced, skin fatigue disappears and the facial contour improves. Regular massage leads to relaxation of the muscles of the neck and face, activation of tissue regeneration processes, removal of toxins and waste products from the intercellular space. If you follow the basic rules of massage, you can get rid of wrinkles in one course, increase skin tone and improve its condition, rejuvenate the body and even cope with headaches and migraines.

Acupressure massage (Thai Therapy Massage)

Thai acupressure massage is also good. It is carried out with barely perceptible movements and soft pressure. In addition to relaxation, in the process, you will be able to restore your vital energy.

© Acupressure restores vital energy.

Talented massage therapists can work real miracles with your body with one massage session:

• Increase joint mobility;
• Make the body more flexible and elastic;
• Improve the functioning of internal organs;
• Relax the nervous system;
• Make the skin of the whole body smoother and softer;
• Remove swelling;
• Stretch your muscles;
• Improve blood circulation, etc.

Decorative cosmetics

Foundations in Thailand have protection in the region of + 25, and powder has a whitening effect. I tried to find eyebrow dye, since mine were completely faded in the sun, but I didn’t succeed. There are only tricky waterproof gels like mascara.

In Pattaya, not only hair coloring in the Ambre style is now trending, but also gradient lip coloring. Special sets of lipsticks are sold for this purpose.

Otherwise, the cosmetics on the shelves are the same as in Russia.