Kobido massage is an ancient manual technique that has been used by Japanese beauties since ancient times to maintain the youth and beauty of their faces. The first mention of this technique dates back to 1472. According to the chronicle, it was kobido that helped the Empress of the Land of the Rising Sun look consistently flawless.
Kobido came to Europe and the USA only in the 20th century. There he first won the hearts of exotic lovers, and then became the property of a wider public. The name of this technique literally translates as “the way to preserve beauty.” And, indeed, this facial massage technique is one of the least aggressive and at the same time the most effective methods of preserving youth. Those who have ever visited Japan could see with their own eyes how popular this procedure is among visitors to spas and beauty studios. It would be too naive to explain the incredible smoothness and turgor of the skin of Asian women only by a genetic factor - behind this undoubtedly lies systematic care and assistance from highly qualified specialists.
Effect of Japanese facial massage Kobido
It is based on the well-known Eastern principle of influencing active points - acupressure, or reflexology of skin areas associated with internal organs. According to the philosophical concept of Japanese anti-aging techniques, beauty is a reflection of health, the coordinated functioning of internal organs, and proper metabolism. The technique is energetic in frequency and strength, but painless in relation to the muscles and skin. Working with the required points and zones gives the following results:
- Normalizes blood flow and lymph circulation;
- Increases the tone of internal organs;
- Actively removes waste and toxins;
- Stimulates regenerative processes;
- The tone of the facial muscles increases, skin color improves;
- The swelling of the eyelids disappears, the gaze seems clearer;
- The face glows with freshness;
- Well-being improves, patients note a surge of energy.
Our website facesave.ru presents another Japanese facial massage technique - Shiatsu.
The essence of technology
Kobido is a complex procedure that is carried out in several stages. They are based on bioenergetic processes. The essence of the technique is a delicate but intensive treatment of lymphatic flows, due to which blood circulation improves, removing toxins and decay products from various metabolic processes from skin tissue. The cells are also freed from excess fluid, which causes swelling.
The practice of Kobido in Japan began in the second half of the 15th century, when this massage technique was extremely popular at the imperial court. In the West, it “took root” only at the end of the 20th century, when Sh. Mashizuki opened a school of oriental massage in the USA. He developed his own method for face lifting, adding elements of Shiatsu massage to it.
How Kobido works
Efficiency is associated with unique manual techniques. The massage therapist's hand movements should be light and precise. Each touch to the skin carries several effects - it is simultaneously a blow, a pinch, stroking, rubbing, rotation, but in no case does it displace the skin.
The impact is very profound. It applies to all layers of the skin, as well as the subcutaneous fat layer. Nerve endings, lymphatic and blood vessels react to the effects. Regeneration processes in the skin are accelerated.
Massaging movements are not performed chaotically, but according to the location of the muscle-fascial groups of the décolleté, neck, and face. Deep massage of entire muscle groups along acupuncture meridians has a reflex effect on:
- Tone of the gastrointestinal tract and urinary tract: the removal of toxins, salts, and excess water from the body is accelerated (and the effect persists after completion of the session);
- Cerebral cortex: causes a relaxing, calming effect;
- Subcortical areas of the brain: breathing and blood circulation are stimulated.
The effectiveness of procedures depends on their regularity. To maintain good physical shape, the body constantly needs movement and feasible physical activity. To strengthen the muscles and maintain an ideal oval, the face also requires deep work on the myofascial groups.
Execution Rules
It refers to real beauty rituals, so the masters conduct thorough preparation before performing the technique itself. The face should be relaxed, ready to restore the movement of vital energy. Before the session begins, problems are diagnosed and areas that need more work are identified.
General provisions:
- The main movements are rotational. The intensity is determined individually. The strength of the effect depends on the condition of the capillaries.
- Manipulations are aimed at special points and meridians. Their location coincides with the direction of the massage lines and does not contradict the classical canons of massage.
- There is an alternation of shock movements followed by pressure without displacing the skin.
- Performed on the same days of the week, morning or evening. It is enough to take the course 2 times a year to maintain the results of rejuvenation.
- During the procedure, the master avoids the area of the lymph nodes.
Session duration
Before the procedure, a preparatory stage is required: the facial skin is cleansed, a warming mask is made, and cream is applied.
Then a massage is performed. Its duration is determined by a cosmetologist, and it is at least 25 minutes, but can be much longer, up to an hour and a half. Other care treatments are often added.
Before and after the session, you should not be physically or emotionally overexerted. It is advisable to spend the rest of the day after the session in a calm home environment.
How to consolidate the resulting effect
- Every day you need to take care of your skin: moisturize, tone, nourish;
- Be sure to remove decorative cosmetics before going to bed;
- You should drink enough fluids and eat rationally;
- Sleep about 8 hours a day;
- Be in the fresh air, move enough;
- Get rid of bad habits.
At what age is it recommended to use Kobido?
The age at which it is necessary to regularly do Kobido facial massage to maintain a youthful face is usually considered to be 40 - 45 years. But if you start at a later age, a bright anti-aging effect will still occur. By the way, Kobido is equally suitable for both ladies and men.
Fading of facial skin gradually accelerates after 30 years, so from this age Japanese massage sessions will also bring benefits: they will add freshness, shine and radiance to the skin, strengthen the facial muscles, lift your spirits, and invigorate.
The initial course consists of 10 procedures performed over 5 weeks. Then you need to repeat the sessions. Recommended frequency is one session every one to one and a half weeks.
Interesting: Facial massage with herbal bags
Scheme
- patting from bottom to top along the neck line to the chin (about 2 minutes);
- stroking and lightly stretching the facial muscles from the middle of the chin to the sides (5 times in both directions);
- repeat previous steps;
- patting the area with fingers from the middle of the cheeks to the ears and in the opposite direction (2 times);
- grab the muscles and skin with your fingertips from the middle of the face towards the ears (10 times);
- the left hand slightly holds the skin near the mouth, the right hand makes stretching movements from the same point to the ears;
- patting the skin from the middle of both cheeks towards the ears back and forth (5 times);
- one hand holds the area near the wings of the nose, the other smoothes the skin towards the temples, passing through the cheekbones (5-10 times);
- grasping the lips alternately with the index and middle fingers, stretching movements are made to the sides;
- use your fingertips to beat the area between the bridge of your nose and between your eyebrows;
- We massage the forehead area, starting from the middle, so that the eyebrow is between the middle and index fingers;
- pat the forehead from side to side;
- knead the skin along the same line;
- smooth the forehead from the middle towards the temples.
Finish the massage by lightly stroking the scalp to consolidate energy flows and adjust their circulation to the desired level.
The massage session lasts about an hour. It is not recommended to do it yourself, as this requires deep knowledge of technology and the location of flows. In addition, doing a massage on your own for an hour is very difficult, as this will not allow a person to completely relax.
Is it possible to perform Kobido massage on your own?
Kobido facial massage has a profound effect on the condition of not only the skin but also the body as a whole. The quality requirements for its execution are high, as are the costs of the cosmetics used. Considering this, the price per session is quite reasonable. In Moscow cosmetology centers and clinics it is 1500 - 5500 rubles.
There is an alternative way: perform the massage yourself. If a person feels capable of subtle manual actions or has some previous experience, you can undergo training and do massage at home.
There are Kobido massage courses, including for beginners. In addition, numerous videos are available on YouTube, by watching which you can see the massage procedure itself in detail, hear or read the explanations of professionals.
History of creation
Only in the twentieth century did the technique spread beyond the borders of the Land of the Rising Sun. An important role was played by Shogo Mashizuki, who founded a school of Japanese massage in the United States. One of his talented students, Vilan Kogan, contributed to the use of Kobido in cosmetology.
Like other techniques - Shiatsu, Asaha Zogan - is based on the doctrine of the movement of Qi energy. In the Western interpretation, more attention is paid to technique, as in the lessons of Alena Sobol.
In Kobido it is important to find harmony between internal and external. Improvement and rejuvenation of the face and body is impossible with mental imbalance. The Eastern approach to skin care is much broader than that of Europeans.
The emotional state is more important than genetic factors and environmental influences. A feature that differs from other types of massages is the use of techniques such as rubbing, pressing, and tapping.
Indications for use
Regular Kobido sessions will relieve many symptoms that indicate both unhealthy skin and age-related changes. The list of indications for Japanese facial massage includes:
- Unhealthy skin color
- Peeling, dryness,
- Excessive oily skin
- Age pigmentation,
- Photopigmentation,
- Fine and deep wrinkles,
- Comedones,
- Residual effects after acne, demodicosis (lumpy, small scars),
- Swollen, edematous skin on the eyelids,
- Violation, vagueness of the oval line,
- They also shaved my double chin.
The last trouble, that is, a double chin and/or jowls, is especially intensively eliminated with the combined use of the Kobido technique and myofascial head massage.
Considering the relaxing effect of the procedures, they can be used (after consultation with a neurologist) to improve the well-being of patients with
- Emotional and nervous overstrain;
- Chronic fatigue;
- Depression;
- Headaches.
Technique
Before you start the massage, you need to prepare:
- remove makeup thoroughly;
- To expand the pores and relax the muscles, apply a hot towel to your face;
- wipe your face with lotion (if your facial skin is oily, it is recommended to use a scrub);
- wipe your face;
- Massage is carried out using an oil-based massage product.
The massage begins from the neck area, smoothly moves to the face and then to the scalp. The peculiarity of Kobido is a combination of blows and deep pressure.
To begin with, do a gentle neck massage, stimulating blood circulation in the cervical area and head. This helps with overall relaxation and stress relief. Here you need to pay attention to skin color and assess the emotional state of a person. If the massage is painful or there is an increase in temperature, the process should be stopped.
According to Eastern teachings, there are 14 streams on the human body, which are the connecting link between groups of organs. Energy exchange takes place at the intersection of flows, so during the massage it is important to influence these points through various movements with a lower or greater degree of intensity.
To do this, rotational or pressure movements are used with the thumb or the joints of bent fingers. Stimulation of points is the launch of the mechanism of regeneration and saturation of cells with oxygen.
The massage is performed in the direction of energy movement along the streams.
Contraindications
Kobido massage should not be performed in the following situations:
- In the postoperative period, but especially after operations on the head, neck, facial area (the ban lasts about 6 months);
- Neck injuries;
- After Botox injections;
- After peeling;
- Dermatitis and eczema;
- Fragility of blood vessels and tendency to rosacea;
- Infection of the skin of the face and neck (with pimples, acne);
- Violation of the integrity of the skin in the massage area (cuts, scratches, burns, wounds);
- Pregnancy (the procedure can increase the tone of the uterus);
- Some endocrine diseases;
- Enlarged lymph nodes;
- For all infectious diseases.
In any case, before starting the procedures, you should consult your doctor and cosmetologist.
Result appears
The results appear after the first session and are expressed:
- improves complexion and gives a healthy glow;
- in reducing muscle tension;
- in improving mood and charging with positive emotions.
The Kobido massage technique is described in this video:
After performing 8-10 massages, visible facial defects are eliminated, especially swelling and bags under the eyes. There is a leveling of the relief, a reduction in wrinkles, general strengthening, etc.
The results will appear faster if you resort to such a massage at the initial signs of skin changes and follow the procedures according to all the rules.
Possible complications
If the technique is violated or key secrets are not observed, some complications may occur. In most cases, they go away on their own with the termination of the course of procedures or a change in the tactics of its implementation.
Possible complications are:
- Increased swelling on the face. This option occurs if the oil chosen for massage is not suitable for the skin or manipulations are performed late in the evening. In this case, you need to purchase another product and move the sessions to the morning.
- Significant decrease in elasticity. It is necessary to increase the application of the massage product to the facial area and reconsider the technique of its implementation, especially related to stretching the epidermis.
- The appearance of redness or skin rashes. It is necessary to finish the procedures for a while and allow the skin to fully recover.
All possible complications will be minimized if all the features of the epidermis are taken into account before starting the massage, and if the procedures are performed by an experienced master.
Reviews
In numerous photos and videos, you can easily notice the beneficial effects that Japanese facial massage has, and customer reviews after a course of procedures are only positive. The reviews from people over 45 are especially impressive. All clients note good health, absolute painlessness, the disappearance of age spots, and the formation of a clearer contour of the oval of the face. Such unanimity in the assessment of Kobido is not surprising, given the centuries-old practice of this massage, as well as the traditional success of the Japanese in the field of healing and rejuvenating procedures.
