Buccal or intra-oral massage

When I first started working inside the mouth 10 years ago, it was called intra-oral massage and most people were initially reticent to let me in. Now, it's everywhere and is known as buccal massage.

Facial massage

This is how I work

If you specifically come to me for intra-oral work during a facial, you MUST TELL ME this is what you want. I require you to book a 1.5hr facial. Why? Because I assess your skin, your habits and your profile, and because it is so so so important that I prepare the areas around your mouth and finally, the mouth itself.

It's like a warm-up before exercise. I will not work in the mouth until I know that your surrounding tissues are prepared.

Why am I so slow?

I am aware that there are videos showing massage inside the mouth, stretching the lips, fingers rotating. It looks exhilarating. Why don't I do that?

If your muscles and tissues and fascia are stuck, thick, tight, then I aim to release. Tissue release is slow. It is gentle, it is tender. I am also qualified to treat TMJ as a massage therapist, therefore I work methodically.

Why do I work on the neck when you ask for a face massage?

Because the neck works overtime holding up your head. The front muscle of the neck connects to the chin, around the mouth, the cheeks and the skin under the eyes and we haven't even considered the muscles around the side and back. If there is tightness in the neck, it should be released first. This means slowly and gently.

And finally

One of the reasons our muscles and tissues become restricted is due to lack of blood flow and massage can help blood and oxygen to move and flow. Don't wait until you're in your 40s and you have a natural scowl.