I’m going to let you in on a little beauty secret. Here's a true story: I have a client who came in regularly for microcurrent treatments. Along with the microcurrent, I would always do a buccal massage and work out her depressor muscles. These are the muscles that pull the mouth down into a frown, eventually creating lines and "droopiness" as we age.
Then, this client moved out of town and started getting microcurrent facials elsewhere. But she would call me and tell me, “Christine, I’m not getting the same results as I did with you!” Lo and behold, it was because they never loosened and lengthened her depressor muscle. So here's the secret: If you’re using devices but not doing targeted massage on problematic muscles and stubborn lymph, you won’t get the same results.
Let’s get into what a facial massage is, what the benefits are, and how to combine a massage with your devices for the smoothest, most glowy skin possible.
The Glowing Benefits of Facial Massage
Facial massage on the surface supports the lymph nodes, encouraging lymphatic drainage and circulation. Doing a gentle lymph massage on the face can help reduce puffiness. I love facial massage for helping to stimulate collagen production, too. And because it helps to release tension in the face and jaw, massaging your face can even smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. What’s not to love?
Most importantly, all of this sets the stage for the other skincare you're doing, especially treatment with microcurrent and other devices. I’d go so far as to say that if you’re using microcurrent devices without doing facial massage, you won’t achieve nearly the same results.
De-Puffing with Lymphatic Drainage
Does facial massage work? If you wake up with a puffy face in the morning, try doing a gentle face massage and see what you think. I’m betting that you’ll be very pleased with the results. After a night of bad sleep and maybe one too many glasses of wine, there’s nothing like a good facial massage to plump and visibly renew the skin. It’s also great for better jawline definition, improving the appearance of jowls and giving you more of a lifted, sculpted look.
This is because the primary target in lymphatic massage is the lymph nodes under the ears and on the neck. When these areas get blocked, it can lead to puffy, dull-looking skin. Facial massage helps those nodes do their job of drawing out the toxins, stimulating the skin, and increasing blood flow to the face. As a result, skin looks happy and healthy instead of flat and dull.
Pro tip: For an easy start, I recommend trying my tutorial on under-eye drainage massage.
Softening Lines by Releasing Fascia
Fascia facials are one of my favorite treatments. This type of facial uses massage to manipulate the fascia, the network of tissue covering the muscle underneath the skin. Tension and stress manifest on our skin as fine lines and wrinkles. Fascia work helps to release tension and boost circulation and collagen, which can help soften lines and slow down accelerated signs of aging.
When I’m working with clients, my goal is to get the fascia "unstuck" and increase healthy blood circulation. You can practice fascia release at home using the Anma, one of my favorite tools for easing facial tension with traditional gua sha techniques. Tracing its origins to ancient China, gua sha also helps move along that lymph buildup that makes you look puffy, and it can have an overall smoothing and sculpted effect.
How to Combine Massage With Devices
Now for the ultimate skincare treatment: combining facial massage with your microcurrent devices, which is a fantastic way to boost results. I love starting my day with facial massage as part of my morning skincare routine, but you can do it any time of day. Like I mentioned, the Anma is a great tool for fascia release and lymphatic drainage. (I give you tips for how to use the Anma for facial massage here.) Whether you're using a tool or your fingers, first apply a water-based serum (not a cream or oil — that will block the microcurrent later!) before you start massaging. You want to create what I call a "slip 'n' glide" surface so you're not tugging at the skin.
After you've thoroughly massaged your face, it's time to put your EMS/microcurrent devices to work. I adore the Hybrid Lift Pro for this, as it does an excellent job of lifting and toning the skin. Go ahead and layer the conductive gel over your previous serum — as a bonus, the microcurrent treatment will give the product a chance to penetrate more deeply.
Pro tip: I tell you exactly how to layer products for microcurrent use in this article!
Once you've applied your product, place the device under the cheekbones and glide gently upwards for about five minutes on each side. The important part is to focus on "vectors", as they're called in the skincare world. Vectors are the motions we make with our devices to cut across common areas of facial sag. (I highly recommend watching this video to get a better idea of what I mean.)
Finally, if you’re doing facial massage on your own, there are some big no-no’s to keep in mind. First, avoid tugging or pulling at the skin. If you’re experiencing a breakout, don’t massage over it. And never apply super-strong pressure to your face; it’s all about being gentle yet firm, without being abrasive. Of course, you can always schedule a regular treatment with a skincare professional who incorporates facial massage.
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