A tingling sensation, a ringing sound, a painful experience – there’s no denying that we associate unpleasant feelings when we think of a slap. But do you know that a smack in the face might be all you need to blast your wrinkles and boost saggy skin? It may sound ridiculous, but there’s a beauty treatment called face slapping or skin slapping, which is performed to get youthful, healthy, glowing, and radiant skin.
What is Skin Slapping?
Face slapping or skin slapping is a beauty technique from Thailand that slims the face and makes the pores smaller. According to Thai massage literature, the human body has energy lines called the “sen,” which are also present in the face.
Slapping or swift thwarting relaxes the muscles and opens up energy lines. The blood vessels dilate when the face is slapped, and blood flow increases. This helps remove toxins and free radicals, helping to stimulate collagen and improve skin quality. Some use a chopping motion along the energy lines to open them and to relax the muscles.
This beauty treatment method has been around for more than 100 years, and the reason why few people perform this is that Thai massage therapists who conduct this are very selective in choosing who to teach this technique to. Some consider this method as an alternative to Botox, plastic surgery, and face creams.
However, it obviously won’t compare to going under the knife. It can’t replace invasive cosmetic procedures like face lifts and neck lifts, but it’s an alternative way to promote healthy skin.
How does it Help?
If you want smaller pores, plumper-looking skin, reduced appearance of wrinkles , and better blood circulation, face slapping can help in many ways. By activating the muscles in the facial area and boosting blood flow, the therapy gives you supple skin because it stimulates collagen production. Also, it helps improve skin quality to make it look more radiant. This additional step after cleansing can help your skin absorb creams, serums, and face oils more effectively.
Here are the benefits of skin slapping:
Increased blood circulation
It’s a no-brainer that slapping the skin or face will increase blood flow to the area. When blood circulation is increased, it helps make your skin look healthy and young. It will start glowing and help you get rid of all the toxins and skin problems.
Healthier skin
This Thai skin treatment makes your skin look healthy without the need for invasive surgeries and lift-ups. Since it causes increased blood circulation, the skin will start looking healthier and smoother.
Relaxed facial muscles
Face slapping may seem like the opposite of relaxing, but this beauty treatment is not like the slaps you give across someone’s face when you’re angry. As there are practitioners of this treatment, there’s a technique to this that’s done in such a way that it relaxes your facial muscles, too. This gives you optimum results and will help you fight skin aging problems as well.
Better complexion
As slapping the face can stimulate collagen, it can work wonders for your complexion. As slapping increases blood circulation, it helps remove the toxins and free radicals that make your complexion look dull and lifeless. After a good skin slapping session, you can enjoy more radiant skin.
Allows skincare products to be absorbed better
We always tap serums and moisturizers when applying them to the face. The reason for this is that it helps the product better to penetrate the skin’s epidermis and increase blood flow to activate cells. You can try a bit of slapping on your face on your own after applying skincare products, but remember that the movement must not be painful and uncomfortable. Also, light tapping is fine in the delicate area around the eyes.
A better alternative to rubbing
Some people prefer slapping and tapping because rubbing can drag the skin, which can be detrimental. Some people tend to be a bit heavy-handed when it comes to applying products to their faces. And rubbing can make your hands absorb the product better than your face. You can avoid pulling, stretching, or dragging the skin down when applying beauty products by tapping and slapping instead of rubbing. It can also ensure proper absorption without wasting the product you apply.
Accepted in leading beauty movements
If you’re worried about the legitimacy of this technique, or if it leaves you asking if it really works, take comfort in the fact that skin slapping is both used in French girl and K-beauty, so it has some credibility. The French in the West and the Koreans in the East are known for their beauty standards, and their products are well-accepted around the world. If they accept skin slapping as a beauty regimen, why wouldn’t you?
Skin Slapping Tips
For skin slapping, a combination of painful smacks and gentle pats can give you the best results for up to six months.
Start by slapping your inner cheeks. Move upwards and outwards, then move to your chin. End with your forehead. Finish off by using your fingertips to pat your whole face as if you’re playing the piano. It may look a bit insane (especially if someone is watching you do this), but who cares if you’re getting plumper, younger-looking skin?
When doing skin slapping after applying products on your face, your slaps must be firm and painless patting. If it hurts, it means you’re patting it way too hard.
Is it Good for You?
If you’re already using a gritty scrub or a cleansing brush as a part of your skincare routine, it won’t hurt to give face-slapping a shot, as long as you have an experienced practitioner doing it and are prepared to get hurt. No pain, no gain!
But if you have rosacea or sensitive skin that reddens on its own, you know that this therapy isn’t for you. If you have sensitive skin, it’s recommended to stick to a gentle face massage that moves outwards from the center of your face. This massage must be delivered in short, gentle upward strokes.