Face massage: what it does, what it doesn't, and which treatment to choose

A face massage sounds like a small thing — ten minutes at the end of a beauty treatment. At Mieli it is a treatment of its own, and four different things sit behind that name. This article sorts them out: what actually happens during the massage, what you can expect, and which of the four is for you.

What happens during a face massage

The face holds tension exactly as the shoulders do — mostly in the jaw, the forehead and around the eyes. The massage works with the muscles, with the lymph under the skin and with the skin itself. The pressure depends on the treatment: working with the lymph it is light and rhythmic, while sculpting goes deeper — down to the muscular and fascial structure of the face.

What you can expect — and what you cannot

The face looks more rested, the contour more defined, the skin fresher. This shows after the very first session, but it does not hold by itself: the effect builds up when the massage is repeated.

A face massage smooths and softens, but it does not erase wrinkles in an hour. It is not an injection and it does not pretend to be one. If someone promises you otherwise, be careful.

Face sculpting

A treatment with an osteopathic approach: the work goes beyond the skin, into the muscular, fascial and bone structure of the face. It suits wrinkles, loss of volume, asymmetry, jaw tension and slackened contours. No needles and no devices. This is the deepest of the four treatments.

Radiant lifting

A massage with a lifting effect, combining muscle stimulation, lymphatic drainage and work on the skin. It is most often chosen when the face looks tired — after stress, poor sleep, or at the first signs of ageing. As upkeep, once a month is enough; before a special occasion, once, a few days ahead.

Radiance and lightness — face and body

A body massage and a lifting facial in one session. The point is that one shows on the other: tight shoulders and neck read on the face, and working on the face alone lets the same tension return within days. If you are preparing for an event, leave a day between the session and the occasion.

Ultrasonic cleansing

Strictly speaking this is not a massage but a cleansing — yet it is often the right first step. Ultrasound loosens the contents of the pores with vibration, without squeezing and without days of redness. It suits blackheads, clogged pores, oily and combination skin. For severe acne ultrasound is not enough — that is a question for a dermatologist.

Which treatment to choose

The face looks tired and you want freshness — Radiant lifting.

The contour has slackened, there are wrinkles, or you clench your jaw — Face sculpting.

The body is tired too, not only the face — Radiance and lightness.

Pores are clogged, there are blackheads — Ultrasonic cleansing.

Not sure — write to us or call and say what bothers you. We will help you choose.

Who does the face massage

At Mieli the face massage is Nataliya's speciality — she is a massage therapist and esthetic cosmetician, and she names facial massage as her distinctive strength herself. Her profile is on the therapists page.

How to prepare

Come without make-up if that suits you. If it does not — we will remove it here. If you have inflammation, a rash or a recent facial procedure, wait and tell us when you book.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I have a face massage?

Radiant lifting as upkeep — once a month. Ultrasonic cleansing — once every four to six weeks; more often does not make the skin cleaner, only more irritated.

Does it hurt?

It should not. Work with the lymph is light. With sculpting the pressure is deeper — if it feels strong, say so straight away and the therapist will ease it.

Can I combine face and body?

Yes — that is exactly the “Radiance and lightness” treatment.

Does a face massage replace botox or fillers?

No, and it does not pretend to. It works with the muscles, the lymph and the skin, without needles. The result is more natural and softer, and it is kept up by repeating it. English spoken.