The Best Face-Lifting Massage Techniques From A Longevity-Focused Facialist

The first thing I did during my visit to facialist Pietro Simone's serene New York office was fill out a stack of paperwork. With questions about my skin care routine and sleep habits, digestion, workouts, stress, and more, his questionnaire rivaled an assessment from my primary care doctor. That's because Simone's approach to skin care isn't just skin deep. He looks at the whole picture, offering lifestyle adjustments and product recommendations alongside treatments that target each layer of the skin, from the epidermis to the muscle. 

While he takes a very personalized approach to skin care, the one technique he sees fit for everyone is massage. "Massage allows me to drain, work the fascia, engage the muscles, maximize the oxygenation of the tissue, and increase blood flow," he says.

Prep your skin with face oil. Then, starting at the chin, pinch a 1-inch section of the skin between your thumb and forefinger (like a sausage, Simone says). Roll it upward, then pinch the next section, working your way up until you reach your ear.

Return to the chin, this time working toward the temple. Continue like this until you've covered the whole side of the face, then do the other side. 

For an even deeper toning effect, you'll want to focus on increasing blood flow. Starting at the chin, slap the skin in an upward direction using both hands, toward the brow. 

While puffiness can have many causes, your best bet is to focus on lymphatic drainage. Simone says to think of your hands as traffic controllers, guiding fluid to drainage points. 

Start at the solar plexus (at the center of the torso, a few fingers above the belly button) using the tips of your fingers to apply pressure to the skin.

Move upward toward the collarbone, then the neck, and finally the temporalis (a muscle located between the eyebrow and ear.)