Massage and the Skin Layer
The skin is an incredible organ (your body’s largest one in fact) which covers the entire outside of the body, and is filled with nerve endings, sensors, capillaries, glands, fat and connective tissue. There are a number of different types of nerve cells within our skin, each one sensitive to a different level of touch.
As our nerve endings are simulated, the capillaries dilate, widening the vessels and allowing more blood to flow. This kicks off a three step process that helps improve your skin. When receiving modalities where oils or creams are used in tandem with friction work, exfoliation and the removal of dead skin will take place. It also accelerates an exchange at the cellular level within the skin that promotes remodeling of the skin matrix. An important aspect of the skin matrix is collagen. Collagen is a key protein for maintaining skin elasticity and strength.
This means new cells will form at a higher rate and are ready to be revealed as the dead layer is removed.
**If you want to learn more about exactly HOW collagen is produced in the body, check here!
Techniques such as squeezing, pressing and stretching of the skin causes the deeper sebaceous glands to be stimulated. The stimulation of these glands is beneficial for the lubrication of hair follicles which leads to better hydration of the skin. This third step is crucial in keeping the newly exposed skin cells fresher, longer preventing dullness and giving your skin a healthy glow. This hydration also increases the efficacy of additional hydrating products applied to the skin, either through at home care or during your next massage service.
Another effect of massage on the skin comes from the stress relieving nature of therapeutic touch. This will engage the parasympathetic nervous system and calm the body. This reduction of stress also reduces the secretion of the stress hormone, cortisol, which can hinder the natural process of cell production and increase the likelihood of inflammation in various areas of the body, particularly the skin layer.
Improving skin appearance is generally not what brings clients to my table, but it’s important to understand how massage changes you from the outside in!
