Buccal Facial Massage in Salt Lake

What is buccal massage aka buccal facials? This is a type of massage for cheek, face, and jaw muscles and it's done from inside your mouth, in-between the cheek and the outer side of the teeth. It's done for 2 main reasons.
First, it lifts and plumps the face! We're able to release muscles and fascia that pull your face into a distorted position, creating lines, wrinkles or unwanted expressions (for example sad mouth, angry brows, tired eyes). No amount of skincare will take wrinkles away if the muscle or fascia are locking them in place. Massage also stimulates collagen production if done often. It increases blood flow to the area and that brings nutrients and repair cells.

Second, it helps with muscle related pain, tension, joint dysfunction, tension headaches, and reduces jaw clenching. Jaw tension can be a complex combination of physical wear & tear, emotional stress and nervous system dis-regulation, and gentle massage is great for that! There is usually a correlation between jaw tension and neck, chest & shoulder tension, so I work those areas in the session as well!

Buccal FAQ
Does it hurt? The muscles can be tender but I (Jen) have a slow, gentle style and we can increase the pressure within your tolerance and preferences if needed. Fascia and tight muscles respond better to slow, gradual massage than fast & hard, so there's no reason to receive aggressive pressure. The provider should have short nails inside gloves so that your gums aren't poked. Let your therapist know anytime something is uncomfy so they can adjust. It can feel a little vulnerable at first, but should generally feel good and relaxing.

Does it sculpt? Yes, you can get a subtle sculpting effect that increases with repeated work over time. Faces are living, moving tissue, not clay, so please consider realistic expectations.

Can anyone do it? For safety and legal reasons, you need to visit a licensed, trained and experienced therapist. You can learn to do a little for your own home care.

Do I need a whole hour? It's important that the face is clean and hydrated for a flowing massage so I need time to do that extra care. It's also crucial that we release tension from the neck, shoulders, chest and scalp to get the best results. Remember that body areas are all connected and working together.

How do I choose my buccal session? At Calm & Glowing, adding buccal work to your massage appointment takes 20-30 additional minutes. If you want a full facial with all the traditional skincare steps, the add on takes about 20 additional minutes. For those, select your massage or facial service first, then move to the add on list to select buccal. For a one hour appointment, you can book the buccal hydration facial, which skips exfoliation and extractions to make time for the buccal massage after the neck, chest and shoulder massage. I also recommend the back massage add on for facials!