Better body image
Many traditional cultures use massage as a form of connection, explains Amanda Anderson, Director of Products and Services at Red Door Spa.“For example, in India, a mother massages her baby to soothe and calm the infant. When the child grows up with this as a part of his or her culture, he or she grows to massage parents and grandparents too. This is the norm, and the benefits are astounding — closer connections between the family, immediate stress reduction, improved immunity and a healthier body image.”
Healthier hair
Not only do massages relieve stress and feel good, but they also have several beauty benefits, notes TV and film makeup artist and the CEO/founder of Advanced Mineral Makeup, Annie Mayo. Your scalp is the basis of healthy hair, so taking good care of it means better strands. “Use your fingers to massage your scalp for a few minutes in the shower. This will increase blood flow, which can make your locks grow longer and reduce dandruff."
Less cellulite
If it sounds too good to be true, don’t worry, it isn’t! While a good massage relaxes the body and soul, a great massage decreases lymphatic build-up, helps prevent cellulite and increases oxygen rich blood flow to your skin cells, informs Melissa Picoli, esthetician and founder of BijaBody health + beauty. Who knew!?
Improved skin tone and texture
As Picoli mentioned, massages increase blood flow and aid in the health of your immune system through lymphatic drainage. “This basically gets rid of toxins in the body and allows more room for nutrients,” describes Mayo. And with enhanced circulation comes improved skin tone and texture. Gotta love that!
Massage products we heart
Can’t afford to hit the spa for a professional massage on the regular? Reap all the beauty benefits at home with these five buys.
Weleda Arnica Massage Oil
Break out the massage oil, baby! This must-have natural beauty treatment nourishes your mind and body, soothes sore, achy muscles and diminishes tension from sitting at the computer all day. It even boosts your skin tone and texture too and makes your skin feel super soft to the touch.
Cenoire 24K Beauty Bar
Stash this sleek, 24K gold-plated facial massager in your bag to give your face a full-on rubdown no matter where you are. It helps promote both facial and body circulation, allowing you to enjoy a relaxing deep skin massage at up to 6,000 vibrations per minute. It’s pure bliss .
Brookstone Shiatsu Bed Lounger
Sit back, relax and let all the worries and stress of your day disappear. Brookstone’s Shiatsu Bed Lounger is the perfect way to unwind and alleviate sore back muscles before slipping off to dreamland. With an easy-to-use control panel on the side, you can actually customize your massage to hit just the right spot, and since there’s a built-in USB port, you can charge your phone, iPad, e-reader or whatever else too.
DECLEOR Massage Balm
Want softer, more radiant skin and less stress? Then simply apply this amazing 100 percent natural massage balm over your entire body prior to hitting the hay at night. It features a melting texture to encourage tension relief and will have your skin looking and feeling like a million bucks, guaranteed.
Skin Authority Warming Glow Body Oil
Warm up, and get glowing stat with this miracle product! An intoxicating blend of cardamom, bergamot, jasmine, sweet orange and cedarwood extracts, this stuff works to brighten and hydrate skin, as well as provide you with an overall sense of well-being. Plus, it smells fab too.
Discover more beauty advice
Hairstyles successful women wear
Can your makeup look influence people's perception of you?
Quick morning after beauty fixes with his products