Effleurage in facial massage is best described as:

• A. Deep kneading movements applied to muscles
• B. Pinching and rolling
• C. Light, sweeping strokes used to begin and end a massage
• D. Rapid tapping

Answer: (C)

Effleurage is a light, sweeping gliding stroke across the skin. In facial massage it’s used to warm the tissues, relax the client, and help products spread while promoting circulation and lymphatic drainage. The strokes are long and continuous, following the contours of the face and neck, and are performed at the start to prepare the skin and at the end to calm and close the treatment. Because the pressure is light and superficial, it’s not about deep muscle work—that’s reserved for techniques like petrissage. Pinching and rolling or rapid tapping are different modalities used for other effects.