Muscle is one of the key players in how the face looks, but it is not the only one. Bone structure is extremely important, and fluid accumulation can also contribute to puffiness, pockets, and an uneven appearance of the facial surface. This is why we always address lymphatic fluid first. We begin with lymphatic drainage, and only then do we move into working with the muscles. When working with the facial muscles, we work from the bottom up. We never oversqueeze the face and we never use excessive pressure. We always have to remember that the facial tissues contain delicate nerves, blood vessels, and other structures, including branches of cranial nerve VII—the facial nerve. Our goal is not to overpower the tissues. We work carefully to warm the tissues, encourage circulation, and address areas that feel tight, restricted, or fibrotic. The hands should remain controlled and intentional, and the pressure should never be unnecessarily strong. Sequence is extremely important in my wo...