“Okay, I Have to Tell You About This!”

So, I just had this incredible treatment—Neolifting and Buccal Facial Massage—and I can’t stop raving about it. Honestly, it’s like my face just had the most relaxing spa vacation and the best workout of its life. You know me—I’ve always been fascinated by how the body works, especially the muscles and connective tissues, and these therapies are next-level in how they support your facial anatomy.

I got so excited with the results I had to share it with all of you! 

Here is a short clip from my local practitioner Stacey Palancia, LE. She talks a bit about her spa  (which, by the way, now carries the Annmarie Skin Care line) , the massage that she does while in treatment, as well as some at-home movements you can do on your own!

Want to dive in deeper?

Let’s Start with Neolifting

Think of Neolifting as yoga for your face—but without having to leave the massage table. The technique focuses on toning and sculpting the over 40 muscles in your face (yes, there are that many!). What’s amazing is that many of these muscles either don’t get used enough or are overworked from tension, like when we clench our jaw or squint at screens all day.

During the treatment, they use a combination of massage, reflexology, and something like manual muscle activation to wake up and relax your face. It’s not invasive at all—it’s just hands, but the results are incredible.

What I Noticed Right Away:

• My skin looked smoother and firmer, almost like it had a natural lift.
• The tension I didn’t even realize I was holding—especially in my forehead and jaw—just melted away.
• My circulation improved so much that I walked out glowing, like I’d just done the best cardio of my life (without breaking a sweat).

And the best part? The relaxation. You know how your shoulders feel after a great massage? Imagine that, but for your face. It’s heavenly.

Now for Buccal Facial Massage

Okay, this one sounds wild, but stay with me—it’s worth it. Buccal (pronounced “buckle”) massage is a technique where the practitioner works inside your mouth to target the deeper muscles of your face, like the masseter (that’s the big jaw-clenching muscle) and the buccinator (the one that helps with cheek structure and smiling).

Yes, it feels a little weird at first, but wow, the results are insane.

Here’s What Makes It Special:

• It gets to those deep, hard-to-reach muscles you can’t work on from the outside.
• If you’re a teeth grinder or jaw clencher (that’s me), this is a game-changer. It’s like hitting the reset button on all that tension.
• It sculpts your cheekbones and jawline beautifully. My face felt lighter and looked so much more defined after just one session.
• Because it boosts circulation, you walk away with this incredible glow, like you just came back from a week of clean living and sunshine.

Click HERE To Watch A Short Clip From My Neolifting Massage Practitioner, Stacey Palancia, LE

Why Your Jaw (and Entire Face) Will Thank You

So many of us don’t realize how much tension we carry in our jaw and face. Every time we clench, grind, or even just hold our face in a stressed expression, those muscles tighten up and can throw everything out of balance. I used to wake up with a sore jaw and didn’t even know why.

These treatments help release all of that tension, improve alignment, and even help with things like headaches or TMJ issues. Plus, when your muscles are relaxed, your skin lays more smoothly over them, which makes you look naturally younger.

The Science Behind the Magic

Here’s the nerdy part that gets me excited. Our faces are full of muscles, fascia (connective tissue), and lymphatic channels. When these get tight or stagnant, you end up with puffiness, tension, and even dull skin.

Neolifting and Buccal Massage work to:

• Increase circulation: More blood flow means more oxygen and nutrients to your skin, which is key for that radiant look.
• Stimulate lymphatic drainage: This reduces puffiness and helps your skin detox naturally.
• Relax overworked muscles: Say goodbye to tension, clenched jaws and furrowed brows.
• Re-educate weak muscles: It tones and strengthens muscles that have lost elasticity over time.

It’s like giving your face a hug and a workout all at once.

My Results: Why I’m Hooked

After just a few sessions, I’ve noticed my skin is smoother and more lifted, my jaw tension is gone, and my face feels alive. It’s not just about looking good—it’s about feeling good. When your face isn’t holding onto all that tension, you feel lighter, brighter, and just more you.

Ready to Try It?

I can’t recommend this enough, whether you go to a professional or try a simplified version at home. Clean hands, a little patience, and maybe a touch of your favorite facial oil, and you can start working some of these techniques into your routine. 

We have a few places on our blog where you can get at-home tips: 

1. https://www.annmariegianni.com/face-yoga-the-binocular-pose-helps-eliminate-forehead-wrinkles/
2. https://www.annmariegianni.com/5-minute-facial-massage/
3. https://www.annmariegianni.com/gua-sha-facial-tool/?srsltid=AfmBOorAPXfmLN4H3XR14eYLlGvJsRZ7aOC3z_z-i8LBB-wJgfosTUYK 
4. https://vimeo.com/1058041647/844510933a?share=copy

Or if you would like to find someone near you who is certified in this type of massage, visit this link here: https://www.proageaestheticsacademy.com/ or if you are in CT, visit Stacey’s Spa here: https://www.skinandtonicct.com/

Also, stay tuned to an at-home course our team is putting together for you! 

Seriously, your face will thank you—and so will your mirror!

What do you think? I can already see you glowing.

Sources:

Trail Guide to the Body by Andrew Biel

https://www.amtamassage.org/publications/massage-therapy-journal/massage-and-TMJ-Dysfunction/

https://www.byrdie.com/buccal-massage-8707223