BEAUTY PRESERVATION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 22 January 1927, Page 17

BEAUTY PRESERVATION.

Massage is one of the oldest and best means for toning up the body, for it stimulates the circulation, nervous system, exercises the muscles, and, indirectly uas a .beneficial action on ail tne internal organs. Massage is also a great beautiner, for it reduces the body to the normal; in fact, if it is too fat and flabby,' tlie proportions decrease, and, if, on the otner nand, there is not enough flesh on the bones, massage puts it on. it also makes the bocty ueautil'inly supple, and keeps the tissue young, it is, of-course, not possiflie to give oneseli general massage, but local massage can be self-admin-istered. Head, face,' throat, hands, arms, and feet can be created to a certain extent.

The head should be massaged by grasping the scalp firmly, and moving tne skin round and round in a circular movement with the fingers, which must be fixed to the spot,- till it lias been well worked, and then moved on to the next, and so on, until the whole head has been treated. These movements stimulate the circulation in both the head and face, and achieve the double purpose of encouraging a healthy growth of hair on the former, and Keeping the latter fresh and clear. \v bile on the subject of the hair, it may not be amiss to mention brushing, which is so necessary, for both health and beauty of the hair. Two good brushes, with penetrating bristles, are required, and these must be used with long, sweeping strokes, from the crown of the head to the tips of the hair, for five minutes every day, and five minutes every night, and, in cases of excessive hair fall, for ten minutes, lor all the weak, dead hair must be got rid of to give the new growth a chance of coming on. It is an excellent plan also to plunge the bristles of -one of the brushes into the hair, and scrub the scalp, using a. circular movement, until the head tingles.

The throat and chin may be kept line and round by massage, provided the glands are not swoollen and tender. First, wash the neck welt with hot water and soap, then lubricate the hands well with benzoated lard. Throw back tbe head, grasp the chin and jawbone with the left hand, and bring the hand firmly down to the base of the throat. Place the right hand on the left side, and repeat the movement, using left and right hands in quick alternate succession for a minutes or two. The shape of the lower part of the face can be preserved, and two chins avoided, by doing an exercise which is very popular;/among Paris beauty cuiturists. The head must be held erect, the body kept quite still, and the chin should then be thrust outwards and downwards, and moved back again. If this movement is correctly done, it will ‘‘be felt,” just where the shoulders begin and in the centre. The throat is kept round and firm by moving the head slowly round to the* left, then to the right half a d ! ozen times or so. This exercise should be done for ten minutes or so, and then left off for a time, or the throat will become too thick.

There is a movement in Swedish massage known as “back hacking,” which not only stimulates the circulation, but makes flabby flesh firm and gives a wonderful sense of well-being to the whole system. It is possible to give oneself a modified treatment of this description by beating a smart tattoo on one’s shoulders with a pair of flexible aluminium boot trees. Face massage needs a profound knowledge of anatomy. Friction, with a rougli piece of flannel, and gentle patting, will, however, help to keep it fresh, and more especially firm, in conjunction with other treatments, i.e., gentle friction with a good cream food, astringent lotion, etc., etc.

Physical exercises are, of course, inaiuable, and have been described in detail by me in these columns from time to time, .so that it is only necessary to give a few useful exercises for the moment. Here is a good ankle exercise : Sit in a comfortable position —-the knees oughtn’t to be crossed - and stretch out one leg in front, and rotate the foot, on the ankle, first to the right, and then to the left. There are, of course, many other treatments that one can give oneself, as, for instance, the following ones which should be done daily in order to preserve the lines of the silhouette. For the first one—for there are two excellent exercises—stand upright, with feet together. Take a deep breath, and draw in the wails of the muscles of the abdomen as far as they will go, and gently relax them; do this frequently during the day, as well as night and morning. The effect it has on the figure is wonderful, and it has another advantage, that of strengthening the interior organs, and preventing a tired, dragged feeling and look —an immense beauty asset this! The second exercise is done lying on the floor. The arms should rest by the side, and be raised slowly upwards and backwards till they touch the floor, and return again. As the arms are raised, breathe in, as they are lowered, breathe out.

If possible, acquire an out-door hobby—walking, tennis, swimming, rowing, canoeing, skating, golf, or any of a. dozen other beneficial pursuits, suited to your purse, location, time, and strength. After the first month, when it will seem strenuous, because you are unaccustomed to it, you will wonder how you ever got along without that hobby. It will keep you joung, rejuvenate you, and, best of all, promote your happiness.