Tanaka Facial Massage (bone, muscle & lymph drainage)
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free skin care · Tue Jan 26, 2010 2:32 am

Congrats Katebargold - thats fantastic. You know its when we start taking care of ourselves, that magical things start happening like that isn't it. Its like an * spam alert * though (albeit a healthy one).

free skin care · Tue Jan 26, 2010 3:27 am

brierrose wrote:

Thanks for sharing moonstone. You've just encouraged me to start the Tanaka massage!

Do you find now that you keep the results even if you miss doing the massage for a few days?

Hi brierrose,

Well, from my experience, I just went through quite a stressful past week-- very little sleep (that was frequently interrupted!), slacking off a bit on watching my diet (stress-eating raisins to no end, missing a few green smoothies & soups that I usually have now), and just having those stress hormones in my system. (Also, I happened to be PMSing).

I usually do the Tanaka massage 2x/ day, my FE & Ageless routine, every other day. My face held up for most of the time, although my eyes were bloodshot. However, on the day that I missed doing the Tanaka in the morning, wow, everything fell apart! The NL's were back in full force, man, did I look tired! Which I was.

It seemed that my tired appearance was being held at bay by the Tanaka massage-- but as soon as I missed that one session, well, it was evident. I mean, I didn't look great for most of this period, but I didn't look like I was just so beaten down either... until I missed that one session.

However, now that my deadline has been met & I'm back to my regular routine (more or less), everything is falling back into place quickly. Getting more sleep seems (obviously) has been very helpful. The reemergence of the NL's has reversed.

What I found interesting is how "plastic" our outer appearance is & how much it reflects the "truth" of our inner state. While I sort of wished that I had that filler in my NL's so that they wouldn't be there during this period, I suppose they were reflecting what was going on in my life. (To put it another way, perhaps, it's like who wouldn't want to have a perfect, NL-free life all the time?) Very Happy

I am still breaking out as well... but I cannot give up the Tanaka massage. While adding castor oil has helped, I'm now going to try dry brushing & see if that speeds up getting rid of the toxins in the lymph. Will report later.

free skin care · Tue Jan 26, 2010 4:57 am

JLM wrote:

It seemed that my tired appearance was being held at bay by the Tanaka massage-- but as soon as I missed that one session, well, it was evident. I mean, I didn't look great for most of this period, but I didn't look like I was just so beaten down either... until I missed that one session.

I am still breaking out as well... but I cannot give up the Tanaka massage. While adding castor oil has helped, I'm now going to try dry brushing & see if that speeds up getting rid of the toxins in the lymph. Will report later.

This is soooo depressing!!! Tanaka is brilliant but I just can't bear the spots (which are leaving permanent marks behind).
BTW Jean, the dry-brushing didn't/isn't helping me spot-wise.
I'm beginning to think my spots aren't from de-toxing - I think the massage is encouraging extra sebum or something. Or could it be closing normally open pores making it harder for the sebum to escape?

Has anyone with dry skin noticed their skin is less dry since doing Tanaka? Or that their pores are less open?

I'm desperate to find an answer to the only negative side-effect of this wonder massage.

free skin care · Tue Jan 26, 2010 7:12 am

Sean recommended on the NL thread to try doing the Tanaka massage only 1x/ day instead of 2x/ day to deal with my breakouts. Even though my NL's returned when I skipped one of my regular Tanaka sessions, it could have been more due to the fact that I was not getting enough sleep, not watching what I was eating as much, etc. We'll see how things hold up on the NL front by cutting back to just once a day, under normal circumstances. Hopefully I'll be able to have both clear skin as well as no NL's!

This is Miranda wrote:

I'm beginning to think my spots aren't from de-toxing - I think the massage is encouraging extra sebum or something. Or could it be closing normally open pores making it harder for the sebum to escape?

Has anyone with dry skin noticed their skin is less dry since doing Tanaka? Or that their pores are less open?

I'd love to hear from other people about this as well.

free skin care · Tue Jan 26, 2010 9:05 am

Thanks JLM, it's interesting to read everybodies experience and that it's mainly positive. It's too bad about the breakouts, hopefully this will resolve in time for you! I wonder if cutting back to every other day for awhile would help?

free skin care · Tue Jan 26, 2010 9:29 am

Doing the massage with OCM oils helped a lot! It helped the ones I already had to heal faster, it decreased the number of new ones I was getting by about 80%, and it got rid of the awful cystic bumps completely. Even though it slowed down the new ones from forming, it didn't stop them completely. I had to take a break for that. Seanysean mentioned on the NL thread that too much lymph movement can cause breakouts. He suggested only doing the massage once per day and only dry brushing once. Dry brushing moves lymph as well and I think the vaculifter does the same. I don't have a vaculifter (but seriously want one!). I do dry brush twice a day and do OCM and massage twice a day. I'm going to try cutting back to: OCM and massage combined in the morning with a basic cleansing and dry brushing at night.

This is Miranda wrote:

Tonia wrote:

Yes! I was already doing OCM to cleanse my face but finishing up with jojoba oil for the Tanaka massage. So, I was already massaging my face twice a day without the acne problem. There is something about the Tanaka massage that detoxes your skin. When I switched to OCM oils for the Tanaka massage, it helped with the spots.

Hi Tonia,
That's interesting - you found massaging with the OCM oils helped (but did it stop?) the spots? I tried a number of oils (avocado, hempseed, macadamia, my cleansing oil) but had no luck with any. And I've just begun the massage again after a 3week+ break and now have a huge cyst on my chin. Rolling Eyes

free skin care · Tue Jan 26, 2010 10:11 am

This is Miranda wrote:

You may have a point there Sigma re. not using oils but a massage cream.
So I've just spent the last 15 mins searching for advice on good facial massage creams without oils but haven't come up with anything. Any ideas? Preferably an off-the-shelf brand rather than high-end.

I currently use Intensive Moisture facial mask from No. 7 (under $20)for Tanaka's massage and my skin become very smooth and silky every time afterward! I love the idea of multi-tasking by doing the massage and facial mask at the same time.

free skin care · Tue Jan 26, 2010 10:19 am

JLM wrote:

Sean recommended on the NL thread to try doing the Tanaka massage only 1x/ day instead of 2x/ day to deal with my breakouts. Even though my NL's returned when I skipped one of my regular Tanaka sessions, it could have been more due to the fact that I was not getting enough sleep, not watching what I was eating as much, etc. We'll see how things hold up on the NL front by cutting back to just once a day, under normal circumstances. Hopefully I'll be able to have both clear skin as well as no NL's!

This is Miranda wrote:

I'm beginning to think my spots aren't from de-toxing - I think the massage is encouraging extra sebum or something. Or could it be closing normally open pores making it harder for the sebum to escape?

Has anyone with dry skin noticed their skin is less dry since doing Tanaka? Or that their pores are less open?

I'd love to hear from other people about this as well.

From the chinese version of the video, it is advised to stop doing the massage if you have breakouts. Otherwise it may aggravate the problem. Perhaps for those who experience acne problme should cut back the massage for a few days until the skin is clear again!

The size of my pores definitely shrink a bit after doing Tanaka for a couple of months!

free skin care · Tue Jan 26, 2010 10:24 am

Does anyone have an opinion on whether the Tanaka massage is more effective when done during the AM or PM?

free skin care · Tue Jan 26, 2010 10:30 am

brierrose wrote:

Thanks for sharing moonstone. You've just encouraged me to start the Tanaka massage!

Do you find now that you keep the results even if you miss doing the massage for a few days?

Glad to hear that you will start the massage and I'm sure you will love the result. I think it's really easy to incorporate the massage into our daily life as it takes only 3-4 mins per day. I usually do it once daily before putting on my makeup as I love the way it makes my face look more refresh instantly.

From my own experience , I think after doing the massage for a few months every day, the results will last for a while even if you miss it for a few days. Last week I had a flu and missed the massage for almost a week, but I'm amazed I still looked fine even when I was sick!!!

free skin care · Tue Jan 26, 2010 10:32 am

JLM wrote:

Does anyone have an opinion on whether the Tanaka massage is more effective when done during the AM or PM?

I love doing it before makeup as it really refreshes and brightens the face instantly!

free skin care · Tue Jan 26, 2010 10:45 am

One of the ladies mentioned that she was doing Tanaka massage on the mashed grapes with heavy cream (also sounds like a good mask). The other was using "oatmeal milk" - put some oatmeal in a cotton tea bag and out under water - the result would be a slippery jelly kind of a thing.

I have not tried it yet, so have no personal experience.

free skin care · Tue Jan 26, 2010 10:47 am

The Saeki book has a really nice diagram of the upper lymph system, and she emphasizes the importance of not just stopping at the collarbone but continuing the massage movement to the nodes in the armpits. My current interpretation of that incorporates a downward massage between the collarbone and the pits. I haven't gotten any new zits, don't know if it's because of that, but that extra movement does feel as though it's enhancing the flow. Maybe just psychological, but hey, whatever works.

free skin care · Tue Jan 26, 2010 11:18 am

moonstone wrote:

JLM wrote:

Does anyone have an opinion on whether the Tanaka massage is more effective when done during the AM or PM?

I love doing it before makeup as it really refreshes and brightens the face instantly!

Me too. In the evening I am usually tired - so if I am doing massage then I can't relax well. And in that case I have to clean my face twice, because I have to apply Retin A later. And I am really not in the mood every evening for that. My PM regimen is very simple - just cleaning and Retin A, but then in the morning I lately really started to enjoy in all this stuff - peeling, vitamin C serum, then massage, then moisturizer, than EES, make up, perfume - I really feel like a new person when I finally enter to my car on way to work.

Tue Jan 26, 2010 1:36 pm

Hi

I'm excited about what I'm reading tanaka massage ... but in the videos everyone is typical oriental face with a rounded face so beautiful, but not oriental people for I have not seen any video or picture of the effect before and after the massage practice. You have seen one? I'm starting with the tanaka, but I'm afraid that thin my face when what I want is to fill ...

Thanks

free skin care · Tue Jan 26, 2010 1:53 pm

Bella1 wrote:

Hi

I'm excited about what I'm reading tanaka massage ... but in the videos everyone is typical oriental face with a rounded face so beautiful, but not oriental people for I have not seen any video or picture of the effect before and after the massage practice. You have seen one? I'm starting with the tanaka, but I'm afraid that thin my face when what I want is to fill ...

Thanks

Hi Bella,
That's a good question!

My experience with the massage (I did it for 2months) is that it didn't slim my already bony, angular face. It just made it look better, more refreshed, softer... just sort of younger. Sorry I'm being vague but it's hard to put my finger on it, but I didn't look more angular whilst doing it, which was an important thing for me.

Why not try it and if you find it's making your face look thinner, then just stop and all will resume back to how it was. But I have a feeling it won't do that.
Take a photo full face on and use that as a guide to see for sure the changes if any.

free skin care · Tue Jan 26, 2010 2:12 pm

I was getting breakouts initially when I started the massage with Avocado oil. I switched to a mixture of Castor and Olive oil and the breakouts stopped after about 3 weeks. I only do the massage at night with the oils and then get in the shower.

free skin care · Tue Jan 26, 2010 3:09 pm

I can certainly understand the benefits of Tanaka massage as far as better lymph drainage but what about stretching the skin with such vigorous massage? Maybe this has been addressed elsewhere...I didn't want to read the whole thread again.
Will be interested to hear your comments on this.

free skin care · Tue Jan 26, 2010 3:52 pm

brierrose wrote:

I can certainly understand the benefits of Tanaka massage as far as better lymph drainage but what about stretching the skin with such vigorous massage? Maybe this has been addressed elsewhere...I didn't want to read the whole thread again.
Will be interested to hear your comments on this.

Accent is not on stretching, but on pressing and forming the face - that's how I am doing this. If you watch movements carefully I am sure that you will understand. For me it is like returning the facial lines where they were before Smile

However, oil or massage cream preventing any unnatural stretching or irritation.
I am doing this for some time, and believe me no effects of any stretching to be seen...just firming and nice soft lines as result.

free skin care · Tue Jan 26, 2010 6:09 pm

JLM wrote:

Does anyone have an opinion on whether the Tanaka massage is more effective when done during the AM or PM?

I will prefer to do it in the morning.

free skin care · Tue Jan 26, 2010 6:12 pm

Hermosa wrote:

The Saeki book has a really nice diagram of the upper lymph system, and she emphasizes the importance of not just stopping at the collarbone but continuing the massage movement to the nodes in the armpits. My current interpretation of that incorporates a downward massage between the collarbone and the pits. I haven't gotten any new zits, don't know if it's because of that, but that extra movement does feel as though it's enhancing the flow. Maybe just psychological, but hey, whatever works.

I am doding the same, so that is the reason I prefer to do it under shower. Besides armpits, I also massage my inner thighs.

free skin care · Tue Jan 26, 2010 6:12 pm

*mirjana* wrote:

brierrose wrote:

I can certainly understand the benefits of Tanaka massage as far as better lymph drainage but what about stretching the skin with such vigorous massage? Maybe this has been addressed elsewhere...I didn't want to read the whole thread again.
Will be interested to hear your comments on this.

Accent is not on stretching, but on pressing and forming the face - that's how I am doing this. If you watch movements carefully I am sure that you will understand. For me it is like returning the facial lines where they were before Smile

However, oil or massage cream preventing any unnatural stretching or irritation.
I am doing this for some time, and believe me no effects of any stretching to be seen...just firming and nice soft lines as result.

Thanks for your excellent explanation mirjana-it makes total sense. I've tried the massage now a couple of times and find it so relaxing and rejuvenating! You're right it gives your face much softer lines.

free skin care · Wed Jan 27, 2010 2:38 am

Tonia wrote:

Doing the massage with OCM oils helped a lot! It helped the ones I already had to heal faster, it decreased the number of new ones I was getting by about 80%, and it got rid of the awful cystic bumps completely. Even though it slowed down the new ones from forming, it didn't stop them completely. I had to take a break for that. Seanysean mentioned on the NL thread that too much lymph movement can cause breakouts. He suggested only doing the massage once per day and only dry brushing once. Dry brushing moves lymph as well and I think the vaculifter does the same. I don't have a vaculifter (but seriously want one!). I do dry brush twice a day and do OCM and massage twice a day. I'm going to try cutting back to: OCM and massage combined in the morning with a basic cleansing and dry brushing at night.

Curious how you do this, Tonia. I just did OCM for the first time and loved how it prepped my skin for my AHA lotion - it felt as those it was my first time using it (that old "sting"). I might be reading into this too much, but it sounds like you do the Tanaka and OCM at the same time? The full OCM as described in the forums seems like it takes a lot longer than the Tanaka; do you do the routine twice? Or just shorten the OCM? Do you feel that you get as good a cleaning with just the Tanaka movements? I'd love to combine these two into one step but I need some expert advice!

free skin care · Wed Jan 27, 2010 1:33 pm

I start out with the Tanaka massage and then continue with my usual OCM cleansing. I count my time doing the Tanaka massage as part of the 7-10 minutes of OCM cleansing. I never go over 10 minutes because I don't want to overwork my skin. It may be a good idea to end by repeating the final movement of the Tanaka massage one more time. I have done it with and without it and can't tell much difference. Oddly, starting with the Tanaka massage seems to cleanse my skin better, not worse. The Tanaka massage seems to prep my skin for the cleansing part. If you try it, please let us know if it does the same for you.

murray28 wrote:

Tonia wrote:

Doing the massage with OCM oils helped a lot! It helped the ones I already had to heal faster, it decreased the number of new ones I was getting by about 80%, and it got rid of the awful cystic bumps completely. Even though it slowed down the new ones from forming, it didn't stop them completely. I had to take a break for that. Seanysean mentioned on the NL thread that too much lymph movement can cause breakouts. He suggested only doing the massage once per day and only dry brushing once. Dry brushing moves lymph as well and I think the vaculifter does the same. I don't have a vaculifter (but seriously want one!). I do dry brush twice a day and do OCM and massage twice a day. I'm going to try cutting back to: OCM and massage combined in the morning with a basic cleansing and dry brushing at night.

Curious how you do this, Tonia. I just did OCM for the first time and loved how it prepped my skin for my AHA lotion - it felt as those it was my first time using it (that old "sting"). I might be reading into this too much, but it sounds like you do the Tanaka and OCM at the same time? The full OCM as described in the forums seems like it takes a lot longer than the Tanaka; do you do the routine twice? Or just shorten the OCM? Do you feel that you get as good a cleaning with just the Tanaka movements? I'd love to combine these two into one step but I need some expert advice!

free skin care · Wed Jan 27, 2010 1:44 pm

I think this is the key for those of us that are get breakouts from this. Using Castor oil in the mix and only doing the massage once per day. I started back on Sunday using the OCM oils and only doing the massage once daily. So far, I haven't had any breakouts. Yay!

BTW, I use:
1 TBS Castor oil
2 TBS Olive oil
1 TBS Kukui oil

I also like 1 TBS Castor oil with 3 TBS Olive Oil.

Alley wrote:

I was getting breakouts initially when I started the massage with Avocado oil. I switched to a mixture of Castor and Olive oil and the breakouts stopped after about 3 weeks. I only do the massage at night with the oils and then get in the shower.

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