Buccal massage is a type of facial treatment that is growing in popularity. It's been covered extensively in the media, touted by beauty editors, influencers and celebrities because of its glowing results that rival a surgical face lift, without the pain, expense and unnatural pulled-tight look.
What is Buccal Massage
Buccal is a word with roots in Latin that means "relating to the cheek" or the area inside the mouth behind the cheek. This area has a network of nerves, muscles and blood vessels that have several functions when applied to skin care.
Firstly, the muscles are a major part of the foundation over which skin lies. If the "foundation" is weak (ie., sagging cheeks) or mis-shapen (ie., bunched jaw from clenched teeth), the skin over it follows suit.
Secondly, the nerves and muscles not only do the work of chewing, but also reflect our emotions. From these, tension patterns can develop, distorting the muscle and not allowing for healthy circulation of blood and lymph. These tension patterns contribute to sagging, wrinkles, dullness, dryness, dark circles and puffy eyes, headaches, tooth wearing/TMJ pain, sinus problems and more.
As you can see, all the scrubbing, peeling, lasering won't change this - the root problem is muscular; it's internal; it's strongly related to stress and emotions that reflect stress.
Benefits of Buccal Massage
Many of us have had at least a few body massages. How do you feel after a body massage? Muscle tension is released, allowing for ease of movement, relief from pain, and a sense of emotional well-being. Most people leave a body massage feeling pretty good! This is a concept that with proper skill can be applied to the face for better functioning skin, facial muscles and the glow of well-being.
Although facial massage is generally a good thing for your skin, buccal massage has some distinct differences.
The work is outside AND inside your mouth.
The therapist or esthetician puts on non-latex gloves to work inside your mouth to tone or relax facial muscles in the cheek, mouth and jawline, drain sinuses, relieve puffy eyes. The outside work either relaxes or tones the muscles that provide the foundation for your skin to rest upon.
I personally find that to be effective the buccal work should be performed in a slow any sometimes repetitive manner, finding areas of tension and holding or repeating until the individual muscles release at least some tension, without force but with a fair amount of pressure. This method gets to the root of recurring tension patterns by allowing the muscle time to release, providing greater result.
More than just muscle tension release, buccal massage can increase both blood and lymph circulation, not just with the physical movement of fluids, but the releasing of tension that blocks proper circulation. Proper circulation aids in delivering fresh blood to clean and "feed" tissues and moves stagnant lymph which can show as puffiness in the jawline, under eyes, etc. or result in sinus pain and headaches.
Feeling good - it shows
It worth repeating that just as body massage can give you a sense of well being, ease of movement, reduction of pain or stress, facial massage like Buccal Massage can provide wellness benefits that not only show up as less pain, better facial movement, but also an emotional well-being that shows on your face. No matter what your age, when relaxed and feeling good, you look better, too.
Book a Buccal Massage here