Yes, it is! Facial massage is so effective that it’s the first step in my 3-step tailored skincare treatments. Massaging the face feels amazing, but it isn’t only for relaxation. The correct techniques rapidly depuff your eyes, contour your jawline, and relax, smooth, and refine your entire face. Use for between-treatment maintenance and to elevate your at-home facials.
WHAT IS FACIAL MASSAGE?
Massage of any kind is a therapeutic modality, but taking a multi-pronged approach to anti-aging is the top reason for neck-up massage.
The anti-aging benefits of massage include:
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Releasing stuck fascia: The combination of gravity pulling down, facial expressions, and lifestyle causes fascia layers to bunch up and stick together. This creates adhesions that intensify fine lines and wrinkles.
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Lymphatic drainage: The neck and head reside above the heart, so circulation doesn’t flow as freely as the rest of the body. This causes lymphatic fluid to settle, creating aging puffiness in your neck and face.
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Releasing tension: There are over 60 muscles in the face and neck. Small but mighty, these muscles hold tension just like any other muscle in your body. Muscles also tighten and shorten from tech neck and poor posture.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MASSAGING YOUR FACE AT HOME?
Unlike many areas of the body, it’s easy to massage your face, and all you need is a few minutes. I follow massage with multimodality devices and concentrated topicals. You can do the same at home, to:
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Minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
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Boost circulation to stimulate lymphatic drainage.
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Release muscle tension to lift, smooth, and contour.
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Reduce jaw tension, face pain, and tension headaches.
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Warm tissues to improve product absorption and device efficacy.
Top Massage Techniques
You can complete your facial massage with any combination of your hands, a handheld tool, or a skincare device. I begin with my hands to identify areas of tension and stuck fascia for each client. Then I move onto a handheld tool and complete the massage while using a multi-modality device.
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Hands: Acupressure, tapping, kneading, pinching, and stripping the muscles.
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Tools: Silicone cups, jade and rollers, Gua sha, or fascia release tools.
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Devices: Vibration, heat, and rejuvenating modalities including EMS, microcurrents, and LED.
WHERE TO COMPLETE ANTI-AGING MASSAGE?
With some of the techniques below, you’ll see and feel the difference immediately, but like all aspects of skincare, consistency improves results.
Puffy Eyes
When you wake with puffy eyes, you can use a stone roller, vibrating massager, or multimodality eye device for lymphatic drainage. I like to use the Eye and Lip Pro+ over Gold Snail Eye Masks to smooth, depuff, and rejuvenate in minutes.
Neck and Jawline
Pinching and massaging the front of your neck helps drain the lymphatic fluid that puffs up your jawline. This is more important than ever, as heads-down electronics use decreases blood circulation in the neck and face, and shortens the neck muscles and lower face muscles. Combine this technique with daily head rolls and gentle neck stretches to offset poor head posture.
Targeted External Areas
There are a variety of areas on your face where you can complete targeted external massage. For example, if your nasolabial folds are deeper than usual, a quick massage stimulates circulation to release fluid buildup. Or if the laugh lines on the corners of your mouth look more pronounced, you need to strip and lengthen shortened muscles.
Jaw (Masseter) Muscle
About 90% of my clients have what I call “pain face” caused by clenching their jaw. Many don’t realize they clench their jaw as it’s become second nature, or they only clench their jaw while sleeping.
If your jaw is tight, the rest of your face won’t relax or release. An intraoral jaw massage allows you to massage and strip the jaw and facial muscles from both sides. You may be surprised at how much tension you’re holding. Even though it feels SO good, only complete intraoral massage once a week. Otherwise, you’ll transition from “good” pain to “bad” pain. Complete gentle jaw stretches and head and neck rolls daily to prolong your results.
Mouth Buccal Massage
While completing your masseter massage, take a few minutes to complete a full intraoral massage. This drains lymphatic fluid from your nasolabial folds, releases dimpled “orange peel” chin, smooths lip lines, and eases sinus pressure.
Facial Vectors
In addition to the hands-on techniques above, use your anti-aging device to pass across facial vectors 7 to 10 times. Facial vectors are common areas of facial sag. Use your device as directed, setting aside the last 5 minutes for this technique. This further releases the jaw and provides lifting and smoothing that improve with consistency.
Quick tips for DIY facial massage
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Facial serum may not provide enough slip and glide for a comfortable massage, and traditional massage oils may clog your pores or irritate the thin and sensitive skin on your face.
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Grapeseed oil is noncomedogenic and perfect for DIY massage, or you can apply conductive gel.
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Use all skincare devices as directed. Some are effective with serum, but some require conductive gel.
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Keep stone rollers and your conductive gel in the fridge for added cooling, especially if you wake with puffy eyes.
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Be gentle. The muscles on the face and neck are small, and you can release most muscles with medium pressure.
How to complete DIY face massage?
Now that you understand where to add self-massage to the mix, you may be wondering how. It’s easier to understand the techniques above with step-by-step instructions. My YouTube channel has videos for the hands-on massage techniques above and the anti-aging tools and devices mentioned below.
How Often Should You Massage Your Face?
There is such a thing as too much of a good thing. So, even if some areas of your face are tight and fall into the “hurts so bad, but feels so good” category, you must not overdo it. It’s safe to gently massage many areas of the face and neck daily, while other areas should be massaged 1 to 3 times a week. In addition to massage, incorporate neck stretches, head rolls, and jaw relaxation techniques into your wellness routine.
What is the best time of the day to massage your neck and face?
When you massage your face depends on your esthetic objectives, and of course, your schedule. If you wake with puffy and tired eyes, a quick morning massage depuffs and revitalizes. Especially if you use a homecare device with vibration or EMS.
If it’s more convenient in the evening, massage is an excellent way to warm your tissues, allowing the actives in your serum and moisturizer to go deeper into your skin. When you have more time, you can complete a full facial with deep exfoliation, face massage, and an anti-aging treatment.
What are the best antiaging devices to use with facial massage?
I have several non-electronic tools and electronic devices on my treatment bar, but you may only have 1 or 2, plus your hands. I prefer multimodality electronic devices so that you can tailor your treatment and get more bang for your buck. Don’t underestimate your hands, as you’ll be able to feel tight, lumpy, and stuck areas.
My top picks for massage and vectors are below. I’ve created videos for each to ensure you get the most from your massage and device:
Non-Electronic Tools
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Miniature silicone cups: If you only have a minute, glide quickly over your face and neck to stretch fascia and increase circulation. This can feel really good on the neck after a long day in front of your computer.
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Fascia release tool: The Anma Fascia Massage Tool releases fascia adhesions. Angle and pressure are important, so use it while watching one of my YouTube videos.
Electronic Devices
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Microcurrent: I use a few different Microcurrent Devices to tailor treatments. Microcurrents release and exercise muscles, providing impressive lift. Take a look at my Before and After client photos to see the difference achieved in just 12 days.
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Eye and Lip Device: The Eye and Lip Pro+ is from my signature collection. I designed it to address the most common areas of aging eyes and lips. It combines LED, RF, EMS, and Vibration. The EMS alone is as effective as a $200 professional treatment.
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Time Master Pro: If you’re looking for a versatile device that only takes 10 minutes twice a week and delivers outstanding results, this is the device for you. The Time Master Pro combines ultrasound, EMS, and LED.
Let’s Discuss Your Skincare Routine Beyond Massage
Now that you understand the benefits of an at-home anti-aging massage, let’s delve into other facial techniques you can complete at home. Join the CBE Rewards Club to learn how to tailor your skincare routine for maximum rejuvenation.
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