It has been wreaking havoc in institutes for several years now. The Kobido massage promises lifted skin in just a few massage strokes. How does it work? Can you do it at home? We tell you everything!

What is the Kobido technique?

You may have already heard of it, the Kobido massage is an aesthetic technique from Japan that has been all the rage in spas and institutes for several years. The idea? Prevent the appearance of wrinkles, boost blood circulation, and relieve muscle tension in the face. It is also called the natural facelift, like facial yoga (which consists of facial gymnastics of the facial muscles), the Kobido method is entirely centered around a multitude of very specific massage techniques. The latter aim to tighten the skin, by boosting blood microcirculation (under the pressure of the massages) as well as the lymphatic system (which is responsible for eliminating waste from the body).

A bit of history...

The real Kobido massage technique is taught by masters and is rarely practiced around the world. Its creation dates back to the 15th century! This ancestral massage prevents the effects of aging and has long been reserved for the Japanese elite. If the Kobido massage focuses on the face, it is because the latter is considered a central area where all the meridians of the body would join. Result? If the face is fine, then everything is fine!

Why choose kobido massage over another?

If you are looking to relax, a standard massage can do the trick, but if you are looking for an anti-aging effect, then the Kobido massage is what you need. More than an aesthetic sequence, the Kobido massage is an art, a moment of grace that we offer ourselves to take care of ourselves. You should know that the practice of Kobido is based on more than a thousand techniques and 48 ways to apply them depending on the area of ​​the face that we are trying to target. For its practice, we generally prefer a cream to avoid any unexpected slippage during the massage, each gesture must be precise. During the massage, the practitioner performs a real choreography that involves the use of the fingers but also the wrists and even the forearms! These vigorous massages (but gentle because the skin of the face remains fragile) act in depth and it is all this ingenious mechanism that offers the long-awaited result of the natural lifting. For an effective result and effects that last over time, it is necessary to count about ten sessions in total. This aesthetic massage is only really useful from the moment when the skin tends towards maturity, it is therefore pleasant but not very useful before the age of thirty.

Can Kobido massage be practiced at home?

As stated above, real Kobido is an art taught by masters! In institutes, it is generally a light version that is offered. The latter is effective but to a lesser extent. This is the technique that can possibly be practiced at home. Daily practice can be an excellent complement to our usual care, and if we couple it with facial gym (or facial yoga) then we can expect a result that is really worth it. Kobido massage requires a precise technique that will be difficult to explain in writing and without visual aid. Fortunately, effective tutorials abound on the Net , some books are also starting to appear on the subject such as KOBIDO: Le Lifting Naturel Japonais by Aline Faucheur published by Hachette. It is also possible to get advice from an institute or even take classes with a master (it's a different budget and it takes time...).

Some useful information for a good home massage

Before any massage, you must ensure that your skin is well cleansed. And take your time, an effective massage should last at least fifteen minutes to activate the desired effects. After removing your makeup and cleaning your face with a neutral soap, you will prepare your skin with a steam bath. Why? The steam opens the pores and relaxes the epidermis, which will make it more malleable but also more receptive to the tensions exerted and to the cream that will be applied to nourish the skin.

Once the cream is applied, the massage can begin! First, work on lymphatic drainage by massaging the sides of the neck using circular movements with your fingertips.

• To act on the oval of the face and tighten it, start from under the chin, using your thumbs and pinch the skin, gently moving up to the ears. Repeat the pinching, this time going down along the jaw to the chin.
• To reactivate subcutaneous microcirculation, we will perform brisk (but never aggressive) movements from the bottom of the cheeks to the top of the cheekbones.
• To smooth the skin around the lips, massage the area in a circular motion; to smooth the nasal fold, press your fingers on the nasolabial fold, starting from the lips and going to the inner corner of the eyes.
• To smooth crow's feet, stretch the skin upwards from the temples.
• To act globally on the face, smooth the skin from bottom to top and from the inside to the outside.

Once these gestures are completed, for a tenfold effect, in addition to the facial gym, take the time to apply your facial routine including the tonic lotion (or a hydrosol), the serum, the cream, the eye contour treatment, a lip balm , or even an eyelash serum so that the treatment is complete! These small indications do not replace a real Kobido massage but can act as a complement between two sessions.