Buccal Facial Massage: Personal Review With Photos

March 5, 2019 (updated February 2, 2023) — Written by

Considering buccal massage? Curious if it’s worth it, and what the benefits are? You’re in the right place. In this personal review, I share before and after photos and my honest opinion about the facial massage. Plus, I include a list of certified sculptural lift practitioners in the United States, broken down by state (and a couple international hookups too!).

side by side before and after buccal facial massage of a woman's face
Before (left) and after (right) my sculptural lift technique with buccal massage facial.

By: Lisa Fennessy

IN THIS POST:

In the past I got a Sculptural Lift Technique with Buccal Massage facial at Love Beauty Nourish in Atlanta, GA and the results were astounding. All you have to do is look at my before and after pic above then scroll down to find a practitioner near you. Done and done.

Update: Love Beauty Nourish is now closed permanently due to the impact of COVID.

If you want to know more….This face massage treatment lasted about 60-90 minutes and focused on the muscles of facial expression both OUTSIDE of the face an INSIDE the mouth. I didn’t quite know what to expect but one peep at the results and I was sold.

If you want to get technical, the benefits of Buccal Massage are numerous and profound on many levels. This entire massage is preformed manually, no machines or gadgets outside of a gua sha stone and a facial cupping tool. Benefits include sculpting, lifting, definition, softening of fine lines and wrinkles, lymphatic drainage and detoxification, deep relaxation of the facial muscles and TMJ, stimulation of collagen and elastin, smooth and supple skin AND helps release stored emotions. (I need to know more about this last benefit…TBC!)

RELATED: Kinda Obsessed – Facial Tools

Check out this video for more on what my experience was like:

My experience included about 40 minutes of exterior work and about 20 minutes of interior (inside the mouth) work. I didn’t really LOVE having hands inside my mouth. I mean, it wasn’t awful but it’s wasn’t euphoric either. However, when all is said and done, it’s a small price to pay for big time results.



10 key benefits to sculpture lifting face massage

The benefits listed below are taken directly from Yakov Gershkovich, the creator of this Sculptural Lifting Technique.

1. Facelift without surgery. Sculpture lifting massage allows you to get an effect comparable to plastic surgery, without damaging the skin and facial tissues.

2. Rejuvenation without injection therapy. Some injections (like injections of botulinum toxin) give effect due to muscle atrophy and injection of harmful substances under the skin. Sculpture lifting face massage is not associated with injection therapy.

3. Passive fitness for the muscles of the face. The procedure of sculpture lifting face massage trains facial muscles. Muscles acquire the correct tone and resist gravitational effects. 

4. Anti-stress effect. During the massage, stagnant phenomena in the facial muscles are eliminated, a sense of freedom appears, the client becomes easier to express emotions. Scientists have shown that when you change your facial expressions, your mood changes. Sculptured lifting face massage guarantees to eliminate psychoemotional blocks and helps to cope with stress.

5. Deep relaxation of facial muscles. During the sculpture lifting massage the muscles are trained, as if in a gym. After hard work, both masticatory and facial muscles of the face are at rest – this is an incredibly pleasant sensation. 

6. Lymphatic drainage and detoxification. Sculpture lifting massage triggers metabolic processes in the skin and tissues of the face. Harmful substances (toxins) begin to be excreted more quickly from the body. Interestingly, the action of massage is not limited to the face and décolleté zone – detoxification of the whole organism also begins. 

7. Therapeutic procedure. Sculpture lifting massage has a therapeutic effect in the presence of the patient’s pathology of facial muscles and facial nerve. It also helps to reduce the course of chronic diseases such as rhinitis and sinusitis. 

8. Cleansing and improving the quality of the face skin. Thanks to an increase in muscle tone, the facial skin becomes smooth and supple, wrinkles and age-related changes go away. The removal of harmful substances helps to cleanse the skin, getting rid of dermatological problems. 

9. Easy osteopathic effect. The technique of Sculpture lifting massage includes the impact on the points of attachment of muscles to the bone, which leads to the removal of intraosseous tensions. 

10. Improved posture of the face. The outlines of the face persist for a long time within the boundaries of youth, not “blurring”. The muscular framework is strengthened, so that a natural lifting effect is achieved.


Things to consider

I asked Mary from Love Beauty Nourish to provide some more color here. She adds;

Some states do not allow Estheticians to work inside the mouth (like Georgia). Some states do not allow both massage therapist and estheticians to work inside the mouth. That being said you may have to go to a massage therapist who is not an esthetician to get buccal massage done or another type of specialist who is able to do this type of work in that particular state. Will people get the same results if they just get buccal massage and not the complete protocol I have no idea but I am leaning towards no.

You can expect to pay anywhere between $150-$400 for this facial/massage.


Certified sculptural lift practitioners

If you want to find a practitioner near you, check out the list of certified sculptural lift practitioners that I’ve compiled below. However, there are definitely more practitioners out there although they are limited. The only way to get certified is by taking Yakov Gershkovich’s training, which used to only be offered in person, but now also includes an online course. I’ve also included additional ways to search for a practitioner near you.

AND if you are currently practicing Buccal, comment below so others can find you!


U.S. practitioners

Arizona

California

  • Agne Grumslys, Agnes Beauty, Huntington Beach, CA
  • Katie Woods, Ritual Skincare, San Francisco, CA
  • Jenny McAteer, You Are Beautiful Skin Therapy, Woodland Hills LA, CA
  • Cheryl Ruiz, Ventura, CA, ph: 805-890-6555
  • Angela Peck, @wholisticskinandcare, Capitola (Santa Cruz area), CA
  • Cathy Curt Aesthetics, Santa Rosa, CA, ph: 707-293-4754
  • Mollie Silberfarb, Yorba Linda, CA, ph: 714-801-6708
  • Karena Kalinuk, Sante Skin, Carmel, CA, ph: 732-312-7893
  • Susan Valdez Cohen, Malibu Aesthetics, Malibu, CA, ph: 310-403-3124

Colorado

Florida

  • Shasta Destination Skin, 155 Majorca Ave suite 208, Coral Gables, Florida, ph: 305-213-0532

Idaho

  • Shannon Cox, Mud And Stone Massage And Skin, Hayden Lake, ID, 208-497-2650

Michigan

  • Erin Darden, Lavender Esthetics, Okemos, MI, ph: 517-214-4058

Minnesota

  • Kelly Carlson, Birthright Beauty, Minneapolis, MN

Mississippi

New Jersey

New York

  • Valeriya Terletskiy, @facemassage_nyc, Brooklyn, NY, ph: 917-345-6754
  • Eliza Wozmica, e-spa, Brooklyn, NY
  • Danna Omari, Noy Skincare, New York, NY
  • Joanna Tringali, Calm Beauty Brooklyn, 332 Senator St. Brooklyn, NY, ph: 917-596-9535 
  • Emma McGregor-Mento, East Village Spa, @emma.massage, NYC

Ohio

Tennessee

Texas

  • Forever Young by Sandee, 4001 N Shepherd, Ste 100, Houston, TX, ph: 281-467-7922
  • Illumina Day Spa, Cecillia Lujan, Abilene, TX

Virginia

Washington

  • Kate Tallet, SkinDeep Olympia, Olympia, WA, ph: 360-951-5334

International practitioners

Australia

  • Desa D, Anti Aging Face and Body Clinic, Adelaide
  • April Brodie, Melbourne, Victoria

Canada

Switzerland


Additional ways to find a practitioner

Directory

There is a Cecily Braden spa directory that you can check too. Select Buccal/Sculptural Face Lifting Technique under Spa Services. I found 22 results from across the U.S.

Google

Here are some things you can try Googling: buccal massage, intra-oral buccal massage, yakov gershkovich, sculptural lift technique

Have you tried this?

P.S. Check out more organic haunts in Atlanta here and the skincare line that left me with glowing skin in just three weeks!

xo, lisa in cursive

Common questions about sculptural lift technique with buccal massage:

How do you do a face lift massage?

The Buccal massage treatment requires a specialist certification to preform. The treatment lasts about 60-90 minutes and focuses on the muscles both OUTSIDE of the face and INSIDE the mouth.

Does face lift massage work?

The results of the lifting massage were astounding. Check out this before and after pic then click here to find a practitioner near you. Before and after facial sculpting massage lift

What are the benefits of a sculptural lift massage?

The entire massage is performed manually, with no machines or gadgets (outside of gua sha stone and a facial cupping tool). It works to retrain muscles, drain lymph and is basically like a natural face lift.

By Lisa Fennessy

Lisa is the founder of The New Knew. Passionate about clean beauty, organic eats and nontoxic lifestyle, Lisa writes to create awareness. Conscious consumerism and informed decisions will impact the marketplace, our health and THE WORLD!

25 Comments

  1. Reply

    Shannon Cox

    I am an advanced level Yakov Gershkovich Practicioner located in Hayden Lake, Idaho. @Shannon_mudandstone (208) 497-2650

  2. Reply

    Rebecca Johnston

    I am certified with Yakov and do buccal, “sculptural lifting” and incorporate extensive microcurrent and other modalities depending on the results a client is expecting. I am located in Colorado Sprroings, Colorado only 1 hour from Denver
    Rebecca Johnston
    Beautiful Skin
    Colorado Springs, CO
    @rebeccaskincare

  3. Reply

    Irina

    Hi Lisa! I have been searching for a specialist in the sculptural face lift in Atlanta/Georgia but no success. Do you know anyone else besides Mary by any chance? Since she is out of business 🙁

    Thank you!

    1. Reply

      Lisa

      Hi Irina! I don’t, so sorry! Let me know if you find someone though! xo, Lisa

  4. Reply

    Viviane

    Great post. I cmpleted the SFL training with Yakov Gershkovich during his visit to the US. I am happy to be Sculptural Lifting + Intra Oral Massage Certified

    1. Reply

      Lisa Fennessy

      Awesome! Where are you located?

  5. Reply

    Melissa

    Hello Lisa! I have completed the Sculptural Face Lift Technique training with Yakov Gershkovich during his visit to California. I am so proud to be Sculptural Face Lift Certified becuase this technique is life changing! We are located in heart the Old Town Scottsdale Arizona and would love to be added to your list of Arizona practitioners. You can learn more about SkinWin on our website skinwinaz.com or our Instagram @skinwin_ Thank you Lisa we appreciate all your hard work on the site! Peace and Love!

    1. Reply

      Lisa Fennessy

      Congrats! Yes! We will add you in! xo, Lisa

  6. Reply

    Kelly Carlson

    Thanks for bringing awareness to this incredible technique! I practice in Minneapolis, MN. http://www.birthrightbeauty.com and I also offer virtual services.

  7. Reply

    Milunka Radicevic

    Do you know anyone practicing buccal in Chicago or Milwaukee

    1. Reply

      Lisa Fennessy

      Hi! So sorry I don’t! This list is pretty much self generated. People continue to email us and we add them to the list so if you find someone in your area, let us know or have them email us! xo, L

  8. Reply

    Leslie

    Hi there! Thank you so much for spreading this amazing facial with your audience! We are certified in Yakov’s method for the past three years! CLEO Skincare located in La Jolla, CA!

  9. Reply

    Viviane

    I am located Philadelphia area (Plymouth Meeting, PA). I also have a
    website at https://www.vivianeairesskinwellness.com/

  10. Reply

    Marilee Martha Self

    I am also looking in the Atlanta area. Thanks for the good info let me know if you see one please.

    1. Reply

      Lisa Fennessy

      Will do! We are always looking to update this list! xo, L

  11. Reply

    Anastasia

    I am an advanced level Yakov Gershkovich Practicioner located In Pennsylvania. You don’t have anybody listed in PA. My name is Anastasia from Modern Esthetics skincare salon. (267)419-7172

    1. Reply

      Lisa Fennessy

      Thank you! We will leave your comment here and add you to the list the next time we update it! Thank you for this addition! xo, Lisa

  12. Reply

    Alicia

    Hi there! I’m located in Detroit, Michigan and certified in Sculptural Face Lifting. I’m also certified in Buccal massage. Its been a game changer for my clientele. I have a few before and afters on my website: http://www.bareskindetroit.com.

    1. Reply

      Lisa Fennessy

      Thanks so much! We will add you to this list the next time we update it. In the meantime people will be able to find you in the comments here too. Best! Lisa

  13. Reply

    Eleni Cico

    Hi there. I’m a Neolifting practitioner certified by ProAge Academy in Face Sculpting and Buccal Massage located in Melbourne Australia and I’m literally obsessed with this treatment and so are my clients. You can learn more at matawellbeing.au

  14. Reply

    Priscilla Tang

    Hi,
    If someone is looking for an esthetician who is certified in Buccal massage in Chicago. Here is a link https://instagram.com/beautyzonebytetianacherepaka?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
    I have yet to try it but she’s also teaches the method.

  15. Reply

    Ira Sokolan

    Hello, I’m trained in Buccal facial techniques and offer services in Chicago as well. My studio is located in Ukraine Village neighborhood and you can learn more about me here https://www.lavish-touchib.com/book-online

  16. Reply

    Jennifer

    Any recommended practitioners in Naples, FL for buccal facial massage? Thank you!

    1. Reply

      Lisa Fennessy

      Hopefully someone will respond to you Jennifer!

  17. Reply

    Sara Martin

    hi 👋 I am an advanced level Yakov Gershkovich . Prescott.Valley Arizona @cashmeredayspa
    Cashmere Day Spa & Total Wellness!!

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