Facial and Body Massage Techniques
The five classic movements
- Effleurage - smooth, gliding strokes; light, always used to open and close the massage.
- Petrissage - kneading, lifting, and rolling the tissue; deeper and stimulating to circulation.
- Tapotement (percussion) - brisk tapping or hacking; stimulating, avoided on thin skin and bone.
- Friction - small circular or cross-fiber movements; warms and breaks down tension.
- Vibration - fine shaking, manual or mechanical; soothing.
Direction and benefits
Facial massage moves upward and outward against gravity and follows lymphatic flow toward the clavicle and neck nodes. Benefits include increased circulation, relaxation, softened tension, better desquamation, and improved product absorption.
Contraindications
Fever, active cold or sinus infection, severe or inflamed acne, open lesions, sunburn, recent surgery or peels, recent waxing, uncontrolled hypertension, and pregnancy (certain points). Never massage over moles, warts, or broken skin.
Placement in the facial
Massage follows cleansing, exfoliation, and extractions, and precedes the mask. It is the relaxation centerpiece of the service, so it usually gets the most time.
Traps
- Effleurage is first and last - questions often substitute petrissage.
- Tapotement is stimulating, not relaxing.
- "More pressure is better" is false - the client's comfort and tissue response set the depth.
Rule of thumb: open and close with effleurage, and avoid any area that is hot, angry, or broken.