Can Massage Help Malar Bags or Festoons? First Know What You’re Looking At

By: Linda Robison — Certified Facial Fitness Specialist

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If you've searched online about malar bags or festoons, you've probably seen videos claiming that massage can make them disappear. Other sources say it won't help at all.

The truth is usually somewhere in the middle.

I've used gentle facial massage for years to help reduce ordinary morning puffiness. If you're new to facial massage, you might want to check out with my guide to facial massage for aging skin before focusing on this one specific concern.

But malar bags and festoons are different.

That's why it's important to understand what you're looking at before you spend time massaging the area. 

First, know what kind of puffiness you’re seeing

If you're not sure whether you're seeing malar bags, festoons, or regular under-eye puffiness, this page on Malar Bags vs. Festoons can help you tell the difference before you spend time massaging the area.

If the puffiness sits directly under your eyes instead of lower on your upper cheeks, you may find How to Reduce Puffy Eyes more helpful.

Still not sure what you’re seeing?

Before you start massaging the area, watch how the puffiness behaves for a few days. My guide on how to tell if cheekbone puffiness is fluid or malar bags walks you through the clues.

Fluid puffiness

Fluid puffiness is the type most likely to change.

It may look worse in the morning, after salty foods, allergies, crying, or poor sleep. It may also improve later in the day.

This is the type of puffiness where gentle massage may help a little.

Malar bags or festoons

Malar bags and festoons usually sit lower than regular under-eye puffiness, closer to the upper cheek or cheekbone area.

They may look like a soft mound, fold, or draped area. Some days they can look puffier if fluid is involved, but the shape often stays in the same general place.

Massage may help a little if extra fluid is making them look worse. But it won’t remove the underlying mound, fold, or loose skin.

What massage can help with — and what it can't

If you're hoping massage will completely get rid of malar bags or festoons, it's important to have realistic expectations.

Gentle massage may help if some of the fullness is caused by temporary fluid that comes and goes. That's why some people notice the area looks a little less puffy after a light massage, especially first thing in the morning.

What massage can't do is remove loose skin, shrink fat pads, or change the underlying structure of true malar bags or festoons.

That doesn't mean it's not worth trying.

If massage helps reduce even a little temporary puffiness, your eyes and upper cheeks may look a bit less heavy or tired. Sometimes those small changes are enough to make your whole face look a little more rested.

When gentle massage may make sense

Massage is most likely to make sense when temporary fluid seems to be part of the problem. Here are a few signs to look for:

• Looks worse when you wake up but improves as the day goes on.
• Changes after salty foods, alcohol, allergies, or a poor night's sleep.
• Feels soft rather than firm.
• Improves at least a little with a cool compress or when you're less congested.

If that sounds familiar, gentle massage may help move some of the excess fluid and soften the appearance for a while.

Now that you have a better idea of what you're looking at, the next step is to look for patterns.

One of the biggest clues is whether the puffiness changes from day to day. If it does, temporary fluid may be part of the picture, which means gentle massage may be helpful.

Signs fluid may be contributing

Massage may be worth trying if you notice that the puffiness:

• Looks worse when you wake up but improves later in the day.
• Changes after eating salty foods or drinking alcohol.
• Gets worse during allergy season or when your sinuses are bothering you.
• Looks puffier after crying or a poor night's sleep.
• Improves a little with a cool compress.

None of these signs guarantees massage will help. They simply suggest that temporary fluid may be playing a role.

Signs massage is less likely to help

On the other hand, these signs usually point to puffiness that massage is less likely to change:

• Stays in the same place every day.
• Looks more like a fixed mound or loose fold than temporary swelling.
• Doesn't change much from morning to night.
• Doesn't seem affected by sleep, allergies, or other common puffiness triggers.

That doesn't mean massage will hurt the area when it's done gently. It simply means your expectations should be different.

When massage is likely the wrong expectation

Facial massage has its place, but it isn't the answer for every type of puffiness.

If the fullness is mostly caused by loose skin, changes in the fat pads, or your natural facial structure, massage isn't going to make it disappear. That's because you're not dealing with extra fluid that can simply be moved.

More pressure won't work better

It can be tempting to think that pressing harder or massaging longer will give you better results.

In my experience, that's usually the opposite of what happens.

The skin around your eyes and upper cheeks is delicate. Too much rubbing or pressure can leave the area looking more irritated or even puffier than when you started.

Gentle massage should never feel like you're trying to "break up" the tissue or force the swelling away.

It's okay if massage isn't the answer

If massage doesn't make much difference, don't assume you're doing it wrong.

Sometimes the issue simply isn't one that massage can change. That doesn't mean you've wasted your time—it just means you've learned more about what you're seeing and can focus your energy on approaches that are more likely to help.

If you do try massage, keep it gentle and brief

If you decide to try massage, think of it as a way to encourage movement of temporary fluid—not as a way to reshape the area.

One thing I've learned over the years is that gentle almost always works better than aggressive pressure, especially around the eyes. This skin is thin and delicate, and rubbing too hard can leave it looking more irritated instead of less puffy.

Use a light touch and keep it short

Use just enough pressure to move the skin without dragging or stretching it.

You're not trying to push fluid out with force. Gentle, slow movements are usually all that's needed.

A minute or two is plenty. I've found there's no benefit to standing in front of the mirror massaging the same area over and over. If it hasn't responded after a short session, more rubbing is unlikely to change the result.

Don't judge the results after one try

The goal isn’t to make malar bags or festoons disappear. It’s simply to see whether gentle massage helps reduce any temporary puffiness that may be making the area look worse. Even a small improvement may be enough to help your eyes look a little less tired.

What to do if massage isn’t helping

If gentle massage doesn’t change what you’re seeing, don’t keep pushing harder.

That’s usually a sign to step back and reassess what kind of puffiness you may be dealing with.

Look for the pattern

If you’re still unsure whether the puffiness is fluid-related or more fixed, this is where it helps to step back and watch the area for a few days.

My guide on how to tell if cheekbone puffiness is fluid or malar bags walks you through that part more clearly.

Focus on what you can improve

Even if massage doesn’t change the mound or fold itself, you can still help the area look better overall.

That may mean reducing general puffiness, keeping the skin calm and moisturized, using sunscreen, or softening shadows with makeup. If you're looking for a temporary cosmetic fix, you might also like my review of 7 under-eye tightening serums I tested.

Sometimes the goal is not to erase one feature. It’s to help the whole eye area look a little smoother, calmer, and less tired.

Learn more about what you’re seeing

If you're still unsure whether you're looking at malar bags, festoons, or regular under-eye puffiness, Malar Bags vs. Festoons can help you compare the differences more clearly.

That page goes deeper into location, texture, and why some types of puffiness respond differently than others.

Want More?

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About the Author:

Linda Robison is an anti-aging advisor for women over 40, sharing natural methods, facial exercises, and beauty routines she's personally tested over the years for smoother, firmer-looking skin. She spent nearly 15 years as an Anti-Aging Health Advisor at the Life Extension Foundation and has been testing facial anti-aging techniques for over 30 years, including training in Carolyn’s Facial Fitness. Her tips have been featured in GB News and Beauty Box Magazine. You can also view her background on LinkedIn. For more everyday tips follow along on Pinterest.

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