Fundamentals of Cosmetic Tuina (Basic Cosmetic Massage)

A. Principles of Facial Tuina

1. Apply an ample amount of massage cream (oil) to lubricate the skin and prevent friction burns. Occasionally, various nutrient creams suitable for one’s skin type may also be used to promote skin absorption of nutrients or achieve other skincare benefits.

2. The choice of massage medium should be based on skin type and the requirements of the massage. For example, neutral skin should use a general massage cream; oily skin should use olive massage oil; dry skin may use a nourishing cream, etc.

3. During massage (tuina), the techniques should be executed with smooth, steady movements and a natural rhythm. The force applied must be moderate, and the tempo and frequency should be reasonable—neither abruptly changing from light to heavy nor from fast to slow. Acupoint pressing (point location) should be precise, and the movements must never be harsh or rough.

4. Tuina must be performed with a clear understanding of its principles and direction. The manipulation should follow the direction of the muscle fibers, generally moving from inferior to superior and from medial to lateral. The entire session should last approximately 15–20 minutes.

5. During massage, one should concentrate attention and fully relax the whole body. Throughout the process, the manipulations should follow a progression: from light to heavy to light, from slow to fast to slow, from shallow to deep, and from the surface to the interior—gradually and in sequence. The transitions and connections between different manipulations should be natural and smooth.

6. During Tuina, always proceed in the sequential order of the face.

B. Basic Techniques of Facial Massage

(1) Stroking method (Anfu fa) – This technique is commonly applied to areas such as the cheeks, forehead, and scalp. It is generally used at the beginning and end of a massage.

Method: Use the fingers and palms to glide smoothly and rhythmically over the facial skin.

**Efficacy:** Promotes blood circulation, stimulates the functions of the sebaceous and sweat glands, leaving the skin clean and refreshed.

(2) Kneading and Pinching (Rounie) method is commonly used for massage on the neck, nose, forehead, and other areas.

**Method:** Pinch the skin with the fingers while simultaneously kneading the local tissue. The pinching manipulation involves using the thumb and index or middle finger to lift the skin on the face. The kneading manipulation involves gentle pushing, rolling, and similar movements performed with the fingers.

**Effects:** Stimulates epidermal cells and prevents muscle flaccidity. Promotes metabolism and enhances cell regeneration.

(3) Tapping and Stroking (Koufu): commonly used around the eyes and lower jaw, and other areas.

Method: Use the fingertips to perform rapid, continuous tapping on the facial skin, or use the entire palm to pat the skin.

**Efficacy:** Firms the muscles and enhances skin elasticity. Accelerates blood circulation and relieves skin fatigue.

(4) Vibrating technique (Zhendong): Often used for facial massage.

Method: Contract the muscles of the forearm and hand to concentrate force at the fingertips or palm, producing vibration on the face.

**Effects:** It penetrates deeply into the skin, maintaining the deep skin tissues in a soft and pliable state. It stimulates the nervous system, enhances skin elasticity, ensures appropriate skin tension and relaxation, and relieves skin fatigue.

(5) Pinching and pressing method: commonly used on the forehead and cheeks.

Method: Rapidly pinch and lift the muscles using both thumbs and middle fingers (or other fingers) to perform the massage.

**Effects:** Enhances the skin’s absorptive capacity to achieve nutritional and therapeutic goals. Eliminates subcutaneous waste, prevents skin laxity, and delays skin aging.

C. Effects and Contraindications of Facial Massage

Due to the high-stress lifestyles, demanding work, and constant changes in environment and living conditions, modern individuals often experience continuous tension and fatigue in their skin. Combined with aging and declining metabolic functions, facial skin tends to become loose and sagging, leading to wrinkles, melasma (yellowish-brown patches), and other issues. As living standards improve, beauty care has become an integral part of daily life. Among various methods, massage plays a crucial role, with its primary effects as follows:

1. It accelerates blood circulation, supplements tissue nutrition, and directs oxygen and nutrients to the massaged area.

Promotes metabolism in skin tissue, facilitating the elimination of waste and carbon dioxide, and enhancing cell regeneration ability.

3. Regulates the secretion of sebaceous glands and sweat glands. Increased secretion of sebaceous glands and sweat glands,

It can reduce dandruff and dry, cracked skin, making it easier to remove dirt accumulated in the pores.

4. Stimulate the elastic fiber tissue of the skin, alleviate skin fatigue, reduce excess facial fat, and maintain normal subcutaneous fat thickness.

5. Reduce wrinkles, prevent skin laxity, balance facial muscles, and delay skin aging.

6. Regulate overactive nerves, relieve fatigue in the eyes and other areas, thereby achieving the goal of calming the spirit and nourishing the body.

7. Promotes the skin’s absorption of various skincare products, thereby nourishing the skin.

The contraindications of Tuina are as follows:

1. Severe allergic skin, injuries, inflammation, various skin diseases, and skin that has not healed after surgery.

2. Peripheral vasodilation of the skin, thrombocytopenia, and increased fragility of the peripheral vessels (manifesting as fragile skin).

3. Patients with severe respiratory diseases, such as asthma in acute exacerbation and bronchitis; and those with circulatory system diseases, such as hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, should be excluded. In addition, individuals with mental disorders and pregnant women should not receive this treatment.

4. Bone and joint swelling, gland swelling.

5. Patients who are overfull or excessively hungry.