The road to radiant and youthful skin is lined with many options. You can opt for minimally invasive procedures such as fillers and injectables to soften your facial features, or you could spring for a facelift. While these options are proven to deliver results, a sculpting facial can be transformative in its own right. Rooted in the practice of muscular massage and blended with modern techniques, these unique facials have the power to lift and shape the face. It’s no wonder they’ve become a staple for celebrities before red carpets and big events. “Think of it as a workout, tension release and posture reset for your face all in one. Every move is designed to lift, reset and realign so you can feel the shift,” says celebrity aesthetician Joseph Carrillo.
However, kneading the facial muscles is just one aspect of the job. The massage element is typically combined with treatments such as LED therapy to deliver a sculpted shape and more radiant skin. Beneath the surface, sculpting facials aid in lymphatic drainage, releasing tension in the jaw and improving blood flow. If you want a lifted look with zero downtime or needles, a sculpting facial may be a good place to start. Ahead, three experts break down everything you need to know about the treatment, from cost to benefits.
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What is a sculpting facial?
A sculpting facial is a treatment that consists of various lifting massage techniques to rejuvenate the skin. They typically work the lower facial muscles, such as the cheek and around the jawline, but can also include a buccal massage to work the inner cheek muscles. According to Nichelle Temple, aesthetician and the owner of Inderma Studio, they can help redefine your facial features to support and improve skin health. Facialist and founder of Strauhs Studios, Cali Strauhs, tells us that movement is essential for the well-being of muscles, especially in the face. “These muscles need strengthening due to the unique ways they attach to the skin and reflect emotion—ideally, we want face muscles to be free of tension,” she says. While sculpting facials are rooted in massage, Strauhs notes that many aestheticians pair the technique with modalities that work in tandem, such as microcurrent, for the ultimate non-surgical facial sculpting.
What are the benefits?
There are several benefits to these facials aside from falling into a state of total relaxation. “Warming up the muscles of the cheeks, neck and lower face helps to drain excess fluid that can make us puffy, and make the muscles more pliable for sculpting,” says Strauhs. She adds that decreasing the tension allows the muscles to respond much better to the lifting techniques and improves blood circulation within the skin’s tissue. According to Temple, the face has approximately 43 muscles that, when massaged properly, can deliver a toned and striking look. “The massage element contours the jawline, lifts the brows and gives the cheekbones a more pronounced and defined appearance,” she notes. However, sculpting facials also have numerous anti-aging benefits, including improved elasticity and softened forehead wrinkles. There’s also the bonus of a subtle lit-from-within glow that occurs from receiving a glorious massage—think a healthy flush and less puffiness.
What can you expect during a sculpting facial?
A sharper jawline, lifted cheekbones, brighter eyes and softened expression are top of the list for immediate results, but as Carrillo remarks, what you can most look forward to is a face that’s not holding any tension or stress. “It’s all about symmetry and balance achieved through intentional work,” he says. Sculpting facials are similar to an all-over body massage and can deliver the same stress-relieving properties during the appointment. “Therapeutic touch can help to alleviate stress and stored emotions, while buccal massages [frequently incorporated in sculpting facials] help ease tension in the jaw,” says Temple. In that vein, it’s best to relax and let the aesthetician do their thing. If your facial includes microcurrent, you can expect to feel a bit of tightening as the treatment works to tone sagging skin and increase collagen production.
How much do sculpting facials cost?
The price of sculpting facials varies greatly depending on the treatments included. The standard length and techniques included in the facial typically begin at $200 and increase with more targeted treatments. However, with a range of modalities, spanning gua sha, targeting massage, microcurrent, ultrasound, lymphatic drainage, radiofrequency, high-frequency, cryo and LED therapy, the experts agree that you could be spending up to $600 or more.
How often can you get a sculpting facial?
If you’re working on a specific area, such as tension, asymmetry or puffiness, it’s best to keep to a regimented appointment schedule, notes Carrillo. Sculpting facials can provide long-term results, but consistency is essential for maintaining them. “Massage is cumulative, so just like working out, you have to keep up the regimen up to continue building on the results,” says Strauhs. “If you’re preparing for a big event, certain treatments are recommended more frequently, but generally, it is beneficial to schedule about once a month,” adds Temple.
