The benefits of breast massage

Regular breast massage has many benefits for health and well-being, both physically and emotionally. Massage is also excellent for toning tissues and preventing sagging breasts. Over time, the skin and muscles supporting the breasts can lose their elasticity. Regular, gentle massage can help maintain the natural firmness of your breasts and improve their appearance. It's a simple yet effective skincare technique for all women wishing to maintain toned breasts. Here are the main benefits:

1. Improved blood and lymph circulation

Massage stimulates blood circulation, promoting a better supply of oxygen and nutrients to breast tissue. It also helps to drain the lymphatic system, reducing the risk of fluid retention and breast swelling, especially before menstruation.

2. Prevention of pain and tension

Breasts can become sensitive or painful due to hormonal imbalances, the menstrual cycle or the wearing of unsuitable bras. Massage helps relieve these tensions and pains by promoting relaxation of the surrounding muscles and tissues.

3. Improved firmness and tone

Regular, gentle massage can help maintain the firmness of the skin and underlying tissues, by stimulating the production of collagen and elastin. This is particularly beneficial after weight loss, pregnancy or with aging, to improve the appearance of the breasts.

4. Early detection of nodules or abnormalities

Breast massage allows you to be more attentive to the general condition of the breasts, and to detect any abnormalities such as nodules, cysts or changes in tissue texture. It is a useful complement to breast self-examination for early detection of possible pathologies.

5. Reduced stress and emotional well-being

Like all massages, breast massage helps release tension, promotes a feeling of relaxation and can help reduce stress. This gentle, caring touch can also improve your relationship with your body and boost your self-confidence.

6. Moisturizing and skin care

Using vegetable oils or moisturizing creams during massage helps to nourish and hydrate the skin, preventing dryness and the appearance of stretch marks. Specific oils such as rosehip oil or argan oil are ideal for this purpose.

By integrating this type of massage into a regular skincare routine, it is possible to improve both breast health and appearance, while promoting greater body awareness.

Which plant and essential oils should I use?

For optimum effect, use vegetable oils such as coconut oil or jojoba oil. These oils nourish the skin in depth, while allowing it to glide smoothly through the massage.

For an even more complete treatment, you can add essential oils rich inD-Limonene, a biochemical component with toning and antioxidant properties. It's found in citrus essential oils such as Bergamot, Lemon, Orange, Mandarin and Celery. If you don't like the scent of the latter, you can easily opt for other, milder citrus fruits.

However, beware of the freshness of citrus essential oils: they can only be kept for 2 years. After this period, they should not be applied to the skin, as there is an increased risk of sensitization. Instead, use them as a room scent.

How do I massage my breasts?

Breast massage is easy to perform at home. Here's an example of a simple, effective movement:

• With the right hand, start massaging from the left shoulder, move down through the décolleté between the two breasts, round the right breast and draw a figure-of-eight to reach the opposite breast.
• Reproduce the same gesture with your left hand, and don't hesitate to knead your breasts to stimulate blood circulation.

You can also take advantage of this moment to share the experience with your partner, making the massage an intimate moment for both of you.

How often should I massage my breasts?

A breast massage can be performed daily, ideally after a shower or bath, when the skin is more receptive. If you're short of time, try to do it at least two or three times a week to keep your breasts firm and toned.

DIY breast & décolleté massage oil

Here's a recipe for a massage oil rich in limonene and other active ingredients of interest to women, such as Damiana essential oil or Frankincense. If you find Damiana too expensive, you can substitute it with Geranium essential oil.

This oil is very easy to make and smells great!

Mix the ingredients below in a bottle:

• 30 ml Jojoba oil
• 30 drops Bergamot EO(Citrus aurantium ssp. bergamia)
• 10 drops Lemon EO(Citrus limonum)
• 2 drops Damiana EO(Turnera aphrodisiaca)
• 5 drops Frankincense EO(Boswellia carteri)
• Shake well to mix ingredients.

Shake to mix ingredients.

This formula is highly concentrated in essential oils. Perform an allergy test in the crease of the elbow with a small amount of the mixture to check that you are not allergic before use.

Directions for use: Use as a self-massage or have your partner massage you.

This formula is highly concentrated in essential oils. Perform an allergy test in the elbow crease with a small amount of the blend to check you're not allergic before use.

Caution: massage with this oil in the evening, and avoid exposure to the sun for at least 8 hours after application. It is photo-sensitizing (risk of brown spots on the skin) due to Bergamot essential oil and its high concentration of essential oils in general.

For further information on the use of D-Limonenein this context:

Human breast tissue disposition and bioactivity of limonene in women with early-stage breast cancer
Jessica A Miller1,Julie E Lang,Michele Ley,Ray Nagle,Chiu-Hsieh Hsu,Patricia A Thompson,Catherine Cordova,Amy Waer,H-H Sherry Chow

Effect of d-limonene and its derivatives on breast cancer in human trials: a scoping review and narrative synthesis
Joy J Chebet1,John E Ehiri1,Deborah Jean McClelland2,Douglas Taren1,Iman A Hakim3