What's new in Beauty?

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For many years I have been intrigued by and researching the buccal facial massage technique. In my research, I came across Yakov Gershkovich, a massage therapist from Russia. His technique was mesmerizing, and I wanted to learn how to perform this magical treatment. As I would perform my facials I would try and incorporate movements from watching his videos. I wasn’t yet comfortable with the inner oral part of the massage as I was just starting my practice at the time. Several years later, I took a buccal massage training course and became certified in the practice. I am now offering this treatment in my studio. 

Buccal massage is the newest beauty treatment in town. It may seem unusual to people used to traditional facial and body massage. Buccal massage originated as a holistic technique created by a French skincare therapist, Joëlle Ciocco almost 40 years ago. The technique quickly spread through Eastern Europe and Asia. It has gained quite a bit of popularity in the US in recent years. Royals and many celebs have boasted about the benefits, and it has even been featured on reality tv. It is a great alternative holistic method to the more invasive cosmetic treatments.

Buccal massage is a specific technique that targets the lips, lower face, and jaw area. It is a unique preventative and corrective technique as it blends facial sculpting massage with an intra-oral massage (performed inside of the mouth). This allows access to muscles that are not normally addressed, making it a wonderful treatment for sculpting, relaxing and improving lower facial tone. 

Super tight muscles can inhibit healthy blood flow which can decrease the nutrients and oxygen that feed and support the muscles. It can also restrict the detox abilities in tight areas which can lead to puffiness, drooping, sagging, and a dull complexion. Working the facial muscles can relieve tension, pain, and offer a relaxing experience. Buccal massage works simultaneously on the inside of the face, through the oral cavity, and on the outside of the face. This allows deeper layers of the muscle tissue and ligaments to be reached and addressed. The specific movements of this massage help to stimulate and retrain the muscles to promote more of a lifting effect on the face and improve muscle elasticity. It helps to relax tension in both the deep and surface areas of the muscles which encourages a more natural facial posture. Massaging can also improve blood circulation and stimulate repair pathways in the skin to promote younger-looking tissue.

With many lymph nodes in the cheeks, jaw, and neck, buccal facial massage also improves lymph flow to reduce puffy eyes, dark circles, and sagging skin, while improving skin detoxification. Lymphatic drainage works by moving fluids, known as lymph, under the skin to various lymph nodes where it’s returned to the body’s cardiovascular system, reducing swelling in the face and other parts of the body. Pressure point manipulation and gliding movements with the fingers stimulate lymphatic flow and other trigger points inside and outside the mouth and face. 

The therapy involves two phases: the sculptural phase and the deep tissue phase. During the first sculptural phase, the therapist manually sculpts the face and works on imperfections — like a double chin, sagging cheeks and eyelids, lowered mouth corners, and wrinkles. The second, deep tissue phase, involves the therapist massaging inside the mouth wearing thin, sterile gloves. The muscles and other points are manipulated and stimulated using different methods with the fingers.

Buccal Massage Target Areas:

· Inside of the mouth

· Shoulders

· Neck

· Chin and the area underneath

· Jaw

· Lips and mouth

· Nasolabial folds

· Around the nose

· Eye area

For the best results, buccal massage providers recommend an initial set of six to eight weekly treatments and maintenance treatments once a month.

Several variations of buccal and intra-oral massage are available for medical reasons as well as for cosmetic ones. TMJ— or temporomandibular joint massage, is one example. It specifically targets the tissue connecting the jaw to the skull to release tension and treat associated disorders of these areas. This technique involves having the areas surrounding the TMJ massaged and may include massage of the gums and roof of the mouth. Tension in the muscles from clenching, grinding, or chewing can increase jaw pain if you suffer with TMJ issues. A Buccal massage is a wonderful way to relax and support healthy muscle function in the jaw area and relieve associated TMJ pain. 

Facial massage has also been linked to an array of benefits, including reduced stress and improved mood, improved skin tone and turgor, and anti-aging effects.

Anytime you feel that your complexion is dull, your face seems puffy, or you want to try a more natural approach to tightening and rejuvenating your skin, a buccal massage is a great option. By removing excess fluid that settles in the soft tissue, the natural bone structure of the face is highlighted, including the cheekbones. Having optimal function of our facial muscles will bring more supple, chiseled, brighter, tighter skin with less redness. As a result, the facial features are more defined because the skin is receiving enough nutrients and oxygen, thus more optimal detoxification of the system (and less puffiness overall).

Buccal Massage Benefits:

• Rejuvenate the Lower Face
• Relax Tight Muscles of the Jaw
• Tone and Sculpt the Lower Face
• Improves the Complexion
• Reduce Puffiness of the Cheeks and Lower Face
• Improve the Jawline
• Soften Lines on the Lower Face
• Softens Lip Lines
• Reduce TMJ pain.
• Reduce Headaches and Migraines from Clinching
• Stimulate healthy Lymph Drainage of the face.
• Support Healthy Detox of the Facial Area
• Improve Circulation to the Face for a Healthy Glow

Most reported benefits include:

• Relieving jaw tension and headaches
• Facial rejuvenation
• Improved complexion
• Targets drooping
• Natural face-lifting effects
• Contouring and sculpting of the neck, chin, and cheeks
• Anti-aging
• Eliminates muscle spasms.
• Improves muscle tone.
• Eliminates mimic wrinkles and sagging.
• Eliminates blockages, clamps,      stress, and anxiety.
• Eliminates swellings, under eye bags.

Contraindications to buccal massage include:

• Acute skin diseases
• Skin integrity damage — from burns, wounds, cuts etc.
• Bruises
• Skin infections, eczema, or psoriasis
• Malignant tumors
• Lesions on the face or in the mouth
• Pregnancy
• Botox or fillers in the previous two weeks
• Active breakouts