This is a topic you ask so many questions about. And after filming 2 x DIY videos (here And here) I wanted to detail everything on the blog.
Facial fascia massage is something I can’t live without. This and mouth tape changed my life and my face more than I can ever express. I’ve been doing facial massage since I was 21, but getting the fascia involved just takes it up a notch. It’s the ultimate way to manipulate your facial structure without needles. When we talk about fascia, we’re talking about the connective tissue that surrounds everything: your muscles, your bones, and even your nerves. It’s like a biological web.
My friend Change who first introduced me to fascia and dental flossand since then, I’ve taken her method of flossing my body and applying it with a facial massage to create this draining, slimming, de-puffing cocktail. The difference on my face is incredible. I noticed my cheekbones seemed higher and my jawline sharper almost immediately. It’s not just about deep skin beauty; it’s about the health of the tissues underneath.
Facial fascia massage: benefits, techniques and how to do it yourself
What is fascia?
Here’s exactly how Kaita defines it:
“In my own understanding of fascia, one of the most useful things to understand is that it is a ubiquitous substance in your body that provides a dynamic, interconnected structure. It is so omnipresent that if you removed all of your extra parts – your bones, organs, muscles, etc. and simply left your fascia, you would be left with a ghostly but still recognizable you! When you formed in the womb, fascia provided a scaffolding for that your cells organize and fill It is made up mainly of collagen, which means it is conductive.
My teachers theorized that fascia is actually how qi flows throughout your body. When accumulated it can be extremely powerful, like your computer bands. When it is thin, it can be quite elastic and flexible. It takes different forms for different purposes throughout your body. I like to look at an orange as an example of fascia. The thick skin is accumulated fascia, but it is the same substance as the pith, the connective tissue of the orange. When you look at an orange, you can see how the white pith organizes the fruit into sections, and within the sections there are smaller sections. You can also see the variety of purposes of the substance: as a protective outer layer, to create segments, and to seal the internal sections so they stay juicy. Our fascia resembles it in many ways! »
The benefits of facial fascia stretching:
+ Promotes blood circulation
+ Relieves tension
+ Improves skin elasticity
+ Improves facial mobility
+ Reduces stress
+ Prevents stiffness and pain, particularly in the jaw
+ Drains lymph and deflates the face
+ Stimulates lymphatic drainage to eliminate metabolic waste
+ Smoothes “adhesions” that cause deep wrinkles
How to prepare for massage
Before you even think about touching your face, you need to set the stage. You cannot perform deep fascia massage on dry, “stuck” skin. Think of your fascia like a sponge; if it is dry, it is brittle and difficult to move. If it’s hydrated and warm, it’s supple and ready to be reshaped. My routine is to create that internal and external “glide” so that I can really penetrate the tissues without causing surface irritation.
+ Hydrate yourself from the inside out. Drink a large glass of lemon water or electrolytes before you start. Fascia is very dependent on water and the massage will be much more effective if your tissues are hydrated.
+ Warm the fabric. I like to use a warm compress or do my massage right after a hot shower. The heat relaxes the fibers and makes the fascia easier to manipulate.
+ Deep breathing. Take three deep belly breaths. This shifts your nervous system from “fight or flight” to “rest and digest,” allowing your facial muscles to release the tension they’ve been holding.
+ Clean and prepare. Make sure your hands and face are spotless. Any dirt or bacteria will be pushed deeper into the pores during the massage process.
Facial fascia massage tools
Although your hands are your best tools, sometimes you need a little extra help to “grip” the fascia or reach specific trigger points in the jaw and brow. I have an organized tool kit that I alternate using depending on the size of the pockets I’m dealing with that morning.
+ Stone Gua Sha (Stainless steel or Jade). I prefer stainless steel because it is naturally cold and easier to disinfect. It is perfect for long, sweeping movements that promote lymphatic drainage.
+ Face massager. The TSC adheres perfectly to the face, also following the contour of the jaw and nose. This will help stimulate circulation and plump up the face.
+ Face roller. This provides gentle, steady pressure that helps move the fluid without you having to press too hard with your wrists.
+ Silicone Cupping Set. Facial cupping uses suction to pull the fascia away from the bone, creating space for blood flow and fresh nutrients to rush into the skin.
DIY: Facial fascia massage
Prepare the skin.
For me this means rolling ice cream, using the Lightstim Wand (so good for wrinkles, more here) while I take a few supplements (usually Cymbiotika Glutathione And Vitamin C (use code SKINNY).
Sometimes I put this face strap for 15 minutes to get the lymph circulating while I do other things like make the bed, open the blinds, do Beauty salt etc.
Prepare the lymphatic system.
Open the lymph with your dry brush: Lightly brush your neck, outwards over your collarbone and under your armpits.
Do the exact same thing again with just your hands and finish by gently pressing or massaging behind and under your ears.
Apply the products of your choice.
Keep it to a minimum because you will scrub it. I like to start with Bare Face Toning Pads (use code SKINNY). It’s a kind of magic, let me tell you. They smooth and have helped my hyperpigmentation more than anything else. Use the pad for about a minute then apply your favorite oil or balm. Deflation oil is a great option because it’s packed with antioxidants and isn’t greasy (so it’s no big deal if it comes into contact with your hair).
Start your facial treatment.
EYES
Tense your eyebrows and continue to run your fingers along the skin, upward to the temple/hairline.
For under the eyes, this is one of the places where you can go inward. So gently take your ring finger (this automatically makes you use lighter pressure) and run it under your eyes and lightly press on the inner corner of your eye. Do this several times to drain the under-eye area.
HOT TIP: Don’t pull the skin, pull the fascia. Think of it like working the muscle under the skin and creating a lift.
New tip: use your knuckles to very gently “pin” the muscle inside the eyebrow and wiggle it to release the heavy “11” lines.
FOREHEAD
Using the length of your fingers, run them horizontally across your forehead to your hairline.
Obviously, if you’re getting Botox, don’t do it right away because you don’t want to move it. Since then, I have taken a lot less Botox. Focus on “scalp traction.” Grasp your hair by the roots and gently pull upwards. Since fascia is a continuous sheet, relaxing your scalp actually lifts your brow.
Cheekbones
Use the tips of your index and middle fingers to shape the cheekbones. Slide your fingertips outward several times to the hairline. Try “hooking” your cheekbone from below and gently vibrating your fingers to release the deep tissues.
JAW
Use the tips of your index and middle fingers again to shape your jawline. Make sure you slide your fingers outwards. Alternatively, you can also use finger knuckles to sculpt your jawline. If you cringe, spend more time here. Use your knuckles to make small circles where your upper and lower jaws meet.
DRAIN
Drain any liquid you just drained from your face by running your hands or fingers down the sides of your neck. This is the most important step in lymphatic drainage. If you don’t drain the fluid in your neck, it stays there and flows back into your face.
NOSE
Use the tips of your thumb and index finger to pinch your nose and move your fingers up and down. Personally, I prefer to use the facial massager for my nose, because it rips and drains your nose perfectly. You can feel it happening. There is so much fluid retained in the nose. More than you think and this method is very slimming.
FACE YOGA
I like to finish with some face yoga. Place the palms of your hands on either side of your face and pull gently. Create some resistance by closing your eyes and almost imagine pushing your face forward.
Look up, tilt your chin, stretch your neck, purse your lips, and move your mouth from side to side.
Final touches.
This will be different for everyone depending on your day. For my part, I do this massage early in the morning, if possible on my terrace, with a Blanket Barefoot Dreams so I don’t use oil my pajamaswhile I enjoy my morning sun. The combination of sun and massage helps regulate my cortisol and sets my circadian rhythm for the day.
Once my massage is finished, I like to take it a step further and quickly use the facial massager on my cheekbones and jawline. Then I usually spray a little plumping mistput some Peptide for eyebrows, Caffeinated SPF and a lip masktake my workout clothes and head to the gym within the hour. I’ve found that doing this before a workout is a game changer, as the increased body heat and circulation from the gym further flushes out the toxins I just released.
After you’ve done one side of your face, step back and look at the difference. Even take a selfie. You will see that the results are instantaneous.
You work your body, so why not work er your face. This is very important when it comes to anti-aging and I honestly think if everyone did this several times a week there would be a lot less plastic surgery. Since my last post, I’ve realized that consistency is better than intensity. Five minutes every day is better than thirty minutes once a week. Your fascia has a memory and you want to “remind” it daily to stay lifted and smooth.
This entire beauty ritual lasts approximately 8 to 10 minutes. You can shorten it to make it work for you. It’s become a very important part of my morning self-care, but what I love most is that it works. It’s so effective and allows you to start your day gently, romanticizing something beneficial. It also helps you get in tune with your own anatomy: you start to sense where you’re holding stress and can melt it away before it turns into a permanent frown line.
What kind of facial exercises do you do? Is there a particular exercise or practice that has helped you avoid surgery or change the shape of your face? Let me know below.
If you prefer to follow a tutorial and are more visual (I do), then be sure to watch the videos to see exactly how to do it (here And here).
x, Lauryn
+ Facial workouts are the new Botox.
++ The advantages of stick your mouth shut at night.
FASCIA FACIAL MASSAGE:
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