California Barber Written ExamSkin Care ServicesMedium

A barber is performing a massage during a facial and wishes to stimulate the deeper tissues and improve circulation. Which massage manipulation involves grasping and squeezing the skin with a light, firm pressure, then releasing and moving to the next area?

  1. APetrissage
  2. BFriction
  3. CEffleurage
  4. DTapotement
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A. Petrissage

Petrissage is a kneading movement that involves lifting, squeezing, and pressing the tissue, which effectively stimulates deeper tissues and improves circulation and muscle tone.

Why the other options are wrong

  • B. Friction involves deep rubbing movements, often with thumbs or fingertips, to warm tissues and promote circulation, but not the described grasping and squeezing.
  • C. Effleurage is a gliding, stroking movement used for relaxation and applying product, not deep tissue stimulation.
  • D. Tapotement (percussion) involves tapping, slapping, and hacking movements used for stimulation, but not the grasping and squeezing described.

Petrissage

A kneading massage movement that involves lifting, squeezing, and pressing the skin and underlying tissues with a light, firm pressure.

  • Stimulates circulation, improves muscle tone, and promotes deeper relaxation.
  • Often performed on fleshy areas of the body, such as the cheeks, neck, and shoulders.
  • Helps to release toxins and increase cellular activity.

Memory trick: Petrissage kneads, deeper relief it seeds.

More Skin Care Services questions