Why I am obsessed with Connective Tissue + Buccal Massage
Background + Introduction
Last year, I took a facial massage class with Via Skincare called “Reconstructive Facelifting Massage (RFL).” My main intention when I took this class was to learn a sculpting and lifting technique that I could use on clients to reduce signs of aging. I had been doing research but still didn’t know a lot about the sculpting and lifting techniques - except that most of them included buccal massage, which I had been dying to learn because of the supposed benefits for those of us who suffer constantly from jaw issues. My business was transitioning to one focused on touch and I began to reach out to estheticians who were doing similar things on Instagram to find out WTF and where can I learn this magic.
When I would reach out to these estheticians I felt were doing what I wanted to do, they all recommended a specific (popular) course but would not train on their technique since they were using that specific protocol… and indeed, they all did look to be doing the same thing. That was the first red flag for me personally. I won’t say here what this technique is due to my feelings which you are about to read… but you can email me if you are curious or can’t figure it out based on context.
Cue my action paralysis. My initial feeling was that the person teaching the technique gave me the creeps. This was obviously my intuition telling me it wouldn’t be a good fit for me, but I kept debating with myself because it had to be a popular option for SOME reason. Pretty much all the estheticians with large followings who focus on touch work use this face lifting technique. But I couldn’t seem to commit myself to taking this particular class… I just wasn’t feeling it. I now understand that my nervous system was neurocepting cues of danger when I watched the specific instructor, who for lack of better words seemed like a huge dick - one who has somehow positioned himself as the cult-leader/guru/gatekeeper of sculpting + lifting massage. I can not learn from someone I don’t trust or connect with and the guru/cult-leader vibes kept showing up as a strong danger cue for me. Plus I’m super skeptical when it comes to bravado and marketing claims… the whole thing was just not my jam. To each his own.
And the more videos I watched of the technique itself, the more unsure I became. I had a hard time distinguishing what was so different than what I was already doing in the treatment room. I couldn't understand what made it so beneficial outside of repetitively pulling the skin upwards. The buccal actually looked uncomfortable. It definitely looked like a flashy technique and many popular estheticians on IG recommended it but... when it appears to me that everyone is doing something, my instinct is to go in the opposite direction. All signs were pointing to no on this class. I started just looking up “buccal massage” on Instagram and came across a few lesser-known options.
I have to admit, in the end I was drawn to Reconstructive Facelifting Massage rather than the other available options not because of the technique (which I still knew very little about), but because of Rose. My intuition was that Rose was a kind, gentle, connected teacher. I could tell from watching her social media posts that she would provide the type of safe co-regulation that I need in order to learn and that I want to provide for my clients in the treatment room. She was not boisterous or overbearing. Her classes were small with lots of hands-on and one-on-one attention. Her hands moved fluidly and felt connected to the skin. So while I didn’t know exactly what I was going to learn while I was in her class, I can say with complete certainty now that my intuition led me to the right place.
What is Reconstructive Facelifting Massage?
Going into the class, I expected a technique similar to what I saw all over social media... estheticians essentially forcing the face into lifting with fast, aggressive pressure (think Face Gym). What I got instead was a very connected technique, one that works WITH the body and not against. I was surprised to find that it is incredibly relaxing and gentle, but also extremely effective in more ways than I anticipated. It was very in line with my watery personality... fluid, gentle and nurturing. Learning and practicing this technique kickstarted my new obsession with fascia and has fundamentally changed the way I approach facial massage.
I began working on people using this technique + protocol, but as I worked I found I was more interested in the connective tissue work than anything. Parts of the routine were definitely focused on fascia but I was missing key information. I began to do more research and put the pieces together with what I already knew of the facial anatomy… and as I gained a better understanding, I found myself working more intuitively and feeling more connected. I evolved my own style, my own flow, added different techniques to focus more on the fascia and stepped away from performing the protocol.
Overall, RFL was a great starting point for me and I highly recommend Rose’s class especially if you are interested in an exact protocol to follow for results and not worried too much about being told how to customize (i.e. you just want a set of steps you can follow easily or you already know enough to understand the why without much direction).
My Connective Tissue + Buccal Massage involves assessing the client’s posture, patterns of tension, fascial dysfunction, emotional state and using gentle, slow techniques to release the fascia, lift the face, drain lymph + regulate the nervous system.
It begins with a detailed questionnaire, verbal consultation and visual assessment, followed by gentle connection through slow, methodic stretching. By stretching the fascia gently in multiple directions, you can begin to see where it wants to move and where it needs to be released.
The first area to release is the chest, neck and shoulders. These areas connect to the muscles in the face and are a concern when it comes to signs of aging like sagging, in addition to being of primary concern when it comes to headaches and jaw issues. Almost every client you work on will have tightness + tension in this area. All the lymph nodes that drain the face must flow into this area as well, and it is important to allow them space to work by removing the blockages created by tension + adhesions in the fascia.
Next we move to the scalp + face, where we leave no area untouched. All of the adhesions in the superficial fascia are addressed with slow, connective, repetitive motions including stretching and pulling.
As we explore the face, tight muscles, adhesions, wrinkles, etc. will be areas of focus. Releasing adhesions in the connective tissue allows muscles to move more freely, reducing the common concerns like headaches, pain and wrinkles. It also allows free flow of lymph, increasing hydration and reducing inflammation and congestion. And, last but not least, it relieves the downward pull the face and redistributes fat pads resulting in a sculpted, lifted effect.
Buccal massage is honestly the highlight of the technique. The bucciolabial group of muscles is the largest in the face and deserves unique attention, especially since there are many adhesions can not be worked from outside. By identifying and focusing on areas of tension held around the mouth, adhesions in the fascia + some good masseter/TMJ work, we can provide amazing relief + increase the sculpting and lifting effect.
Overall, the massage takes about 45-60 mins depending on the individual needs and is done with minimal product. I personally like clean, dry skin with a little bit of Color Up Therapeutics Sensation Salve on the back of the neck and shoulders in the beginning (the menthol feels amazing). If the skin feels too dry when we move to the face I will spray a hydrating toner onto my hands for comfortability. The buccal portion requires product for slip, and I usually apply lip balm before inserting my fingers and a salve or balm on the cheeks.
Goals + Benefits of Connective Tissue + Buccal Massage
Removes stagnation and waste that has accumulated in the skin, allowing nutrients to flow in and take their place
Reduces puffiness due to improved lymph drainage
Increases circulation and delivery of oxygen + nutrients to the skin
Improves wound-healing responses and ensures healthy skin + connective tissues (like collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid and fascia)
Smoothes fascia and removes adhesions, which cut off circulation, lymph flow and nerve supply
Smoothes lines and creases created by adhesions
Loosens and lengthens tight muscles, which often pull on other muscles and create deep lines (like the ones around the mouth) or the appearance of sagging (such as on the neck)
Reactivates tired, weakened or atrophied muscles
Redistributes fat pads that migrate due to the aging process
Reduces loss of bone mass due to the aging process
Relieves tension, often leading to facial asymmetry, headaches, jaw tightness/locking, neck pain, shoulder pain, etc.
Improves hydration, cell differentiation and overall texture
How I incorporate Connective Tissue + Buccal Massage into my treatments.
I use these techniques in every single service - this is a foundation of my approach to slow, gentle treatments that provide nervous system regulation for full body, holistic healing. I do not have special treatments on my menu or charge separately for buccal massage, I simply charge for time.
I also work in a spa with protocols and can not perform buccal massage, nor would I have time to implement this full technique in my treatments. In that case, I include the superficial fascia release techniques where it is most needed (generally either the chest, jaw or forehead/eyes). I always open ALL my massages, regardless of what I am focusing on, by connecting to and assessing the patterns of tension/dysfunction through slow, gentle stretching motions.
Using Connective Tissue + Buccal Massage in one service.
In one-time/once a month services, clients report better sleep, relaxation, reduced headaches, pain relief, increased jaw mobility and more. Many times you will see a difference in facial structure after one service, especially if there is a lot of lymph stagnation as a result of adhesions.
In a 60-minute service, you have 2 options.
Provide a massage-focused treatment where all you do is cleanse + massage + finishing products.
Use only pieces of the massage similar to how I described it above. This is fine if someone has no major concerns, but once you are focusing on massage as your main method of treatment for a concern like structural aging or acne this won’t provide the same results.
Personally, massage is my foundational treatment modality and I don’t provide the 2nd option to my clients. If they want a regular facial, I am likely not the esthetician for them. I choose to only provide 90-minute or 120-minute services so that I can include cleansing, exfoliation, 45-60 mins of massage, mask + sound healing, LED, gua sha, cupping, etc. as needed. A 60-minute massage-only option is available to my regular clients only.
Using Connective Tissue + Buccal Massage in a series.
The ideal series is 6+ treatments performed on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. You can do this as multiple 60 min treatments with massage only or bump it up to 90 mins and include all the other fun stuff, but when they come weekly I find the 60 minute massage-only option to be ideal. There are a few exceptions, such as wanting to include LED (great for all skin conditions), which would require bumping to a 90 minute.
Below, you will see 2 case studies I did on aging and acne using 6 weeks of Connective Tissue + Buccal Massage. You can read more about each by clicking the links below.
Massage + the holistic approach to skincare.
I spend a lot of time trying to get people to understand that holistic care in esthetics is not just “natural” skincare and crystals... it is care that includes the full body, mind and spirit and should include anything and everything you have access to that might work in each unique case. When I realized how much my massage technique was benefitting my clients with every skin concern and on the full body, mind and spirit levels, I decided remove all the facials from my menu and transitioned to 2 fully customizable services based on time instead of technique. I wanted everyone to receive the benefits of this massage and didn’t see any advantage in forcing them to make a choice or confusing them with too many service options.
I believe that a holistic approach to skincare means creating space for whatever works without unnecessary limitations. It requires being truly connected to the skin, the muscles, the connective tissue and the client so that they can speak to you about what they need. You can not force change with product or modalities, but you can encourage and create space for change with connection. For me, Connective Tissue + Buccal Massage has been an essential tool for establishing those bonds with clients and the skin and has truly helped to transform my business. I
This year my goal is to design more techniques and education for my fellow estheticians around fascia and how important this connective tissue can be in our holistic treatment approaches. It starts with The Art of Connection: Connective Tissue + Buccal Massage Certification, which is coming to Austin Feb 27, 2022.
More information:
Book your facial with me to experience Connective Tissue + Buccal Massage.
Get certified in my Connective Tissue + Buccal Massage technique through The Art of Connection.
Find out more about Reconstructive Facelifting Massage online or in person with Rose at Via Skincare. You can also reach out to her for provider info if you are interested in receiving RFL as a client.
Learn about the healing power of touch, simplifying your service menu, pricing your services, nervous system regulation, fascia and more in my Holistic Esthetics Library of courses.
Explore a full range of holistic treatment theories and modalities in my Comprehensive Holistic Facial Certification.
Go more in-depth with fascia through the Fascia Research Society.