Massage Your Face Like a Pro

Is there any better feeling than getting your face massaged and touched? I could lay for hours while someone moves every muscle in my face in every direction. Add in a bit of playing with my hair and that for me is the definition of paradise. If you don't agree, I don't know what's wrong with you. Jk. I do know, you're insane.

Let's not confuse facial massage with a deep tension release massage that you might get for your back or body. Facial massage is a gentler technique that mostly focuses on lymphatic drainage, releasing connective tissue, and reducing muscle tension.

But my favorite thing about facial massage? Relaxation! Don't downplay the importance of reducing stress in your body, both physically and mentally. We know how much this affects our health, so anything I can do to reduce it I'm game. And if you add the more superficial aspects of reduced fine lines, less congestion, and brighter complexion, how can you say no?!

What's up with lymphatic drainage?

The lymph system is actually quite important but doesn't always get the attention or credit it deserves. It plays many roles in our health, including a big part of both the immune and circulatory systems. It's crucial in fighting infections. It's also in charge of a lot of the fluid in our body, which is drained through lymph nodes across our body.

Common areas of clustered lymph nodes in our body include around the neck, armpits, groin area, and abdomen and chest. Certain gentle moves help stimulate and drain it.

But one-third of all of our lymph nodes are actually in the area between the collarbone and the jawline! And because we're talking about facial massage, we'll focus on the importance of healthy lymph in that area, but know that your entire body can benefit from general lymphatic drainage.

Important points where lymph drains:

• Terminus: this is located at the base of the side of the neck and just above the collarbones where there's a small dip

• Ear area: in front and behind the earlobe

• Submandibular nodes: on the fleshy part right under the jaw bone at the chin (and along the entire mandible towards the ears)

What might you notice when lymph is constricted and not flowing freely?

• Puffiness

• Congestion (blackheads and whiteheads)

• Acne

• Redness

• Discoloration

• Dryness

• Dullness

What's up with connective tissue:

Also known as fascia. Connective tissue helps support muscles, nerves, bones, lymph nodes, and more. When it isn't moving well throughout the body, it gets stuck and adheres to one another, blocking lymph from flowing, weakening the skin, and creating wrinkles and sagging of the muscles in our face. Repetitive movements that overwork specific areas of the face can lead to fascia adhering or crinkle up together. That's why you see lines forming more in some areas of the face, like around the eyes or mouth.

You can release fascia through gentle connective tissue massage. Plus, releasing fascia will also help lymph flow better. Otherwise, lymph can be limited by these adhesions! Therefore, don't forget to do both of these.

What's up with muscle tension:

As a result of poor posture, bad body alignment, stress in our body, and even carrying a lot of strong emotions, we create muscular tension in our face. By releasing the tension we feel the tissue become softer (and even our skin becomes softer). Muscle tension in your back and neck can really affect our face as the muscles pull on each other.

Our face contains important muscles that facilitate facial expressions. Important ones include the muscles around our eyes, around our mouth, our forehead, the cheekbone (zygomatic), the jaw area (buccinator), and the platysma which goes from the upper area of the chest through the neck and up to the mandible. Knowing your muscles and their function can help when identifying lines and wrinkles and how we tense up to be able to release these better.

Basic massage moves you can incorporate to your skincare routine:

(1) Begin with gentle circles on the drainage points:

• Terminus: gentle circles at the dip of your collarbones

• Submandibular nodes: use your fingertips to gently circle up and back

• Ear area: place two fingers in the front and two fingers behind the ear (around the earlobe, behind the jaw) and do gentle circles and a downward pumping motion

(2) Use the side of your index fingers to spread the oil or balm from the middle of your face towards the hairline in a slight upward motion and then continue to move down the sides of your neck

• You can do this with light pressure to move lymph out to drain or with a firmer pressure for some lifting of the cheeks

(3) With the palm of your hands, stroke the forehead from the center of the eyebrows towards the hairline in a horizontal way in a slightly upward motion

(4) Using the palm of your hands, lift from the jawline up using fast movements

For an entire facial massage routine, click here to download a complete guide!

Additional tips

• Use oil or a thicker balm to have good slip (moisturizers will absorb quickly and you don't want to be pulling at your skin without slip)

• You can add a few moves throughout your routine, for example as you cleanse your face!

• Make sure your face and rest of your body are relaxed. Don't clench your jaw as you massage your face, this is counter productive!

• Don't forget the neck. Remember this is where all the lymph nodes are!

• Upward strokes are for toning and lifting

• Downward or towards the hairline for lymph drainage

  • When working the lymph system the pressure is quite light as the nodes are very superficial!

Should you be massaging your face?

Facial massage is extremely beneficial. But it's like going to the gym.

You see the benefits when you do it often and consistently.

Is it the end-all-be-all? Nothing is. Especially when it comes to caring for your skin. But it can make a difference and it plays a big role, especially if you're looking for noninvasive skincare solutions. And you can add to your existing skincare routine perfectly without needing to compromise.

Obviously nothing compares to having someone do this on you, I'm not going to argue against that. But what I really value about facial massage is that you can do this on yourself and see similar results. The goal would be to include some facial massage every day (doesn't mean you do 20 minutes every day, but simple moves sprinkled through your skincare routine is good).