Scroll through #WellnessTok and maybe you’ll see some weird pictures. Here we are talking about cheek massages. People pull their cheeks back, exposing their teeth, while their gloved hands go deep inside the jawline. This looks very strange, like a sci-fi movie. But believe it or not, this strange treatment does help the facial muscles. It builds and shapes facial muscles that are forgotten by many.
Cheek massages have become very popular lately, and for good reason. Maybe celebrities like Princess Kate do it too. Think about it, your facial muscles are in use all the time. Smiling, talking, chewing, these muscles are hard at work every day. The muscles can hold a lot of tension that you didn’t realize was there.
This technique allows the muscles to reach deep inside the mouth. It goes deeper than if the work was only done on the surface. Dentists and skin specialists now recommend this method as well. Often, people add it to other facials.
I decided to try a cheek massage myself and I wanted to see if the buzz was worth it. I spoke with an expert to get some facts. The experts explained the pros and cons, risks and costs.
It targets the cheek pads between the cheekbones and the jaw. One thing to keep in mind is that your service provider must be a trained professional.Sharon Huang Cosmetic Dentist explained that they must be trained. Because this is not an ordinary massage, it requires specialized knowledge.
Massage therapists have to work inside and outside the mouth, and this inside-out approach is key. explains Diana Marie Acevedo, an expert from Sage + Sound. She says you get more out of massage from the inside. She says, “You can reach the muscles from the inside, but not from the outside. External massage cannot reach deep into the muscles.
We think of body muscles as being like the back or legs. Facial muscles are complex and there are many muscles at work. You may get a temporary sculpting effect. The jawline looks slimmer and a lot of tension disappears.
Cheek massages have many benefits. Two of the most prominent benefits are: relieving tension and sculpting your appearance. Cheek massages increase blood circulation. Lymphatic drainage is also stimulated, which helps eliminate puffiness.
Aside from appearance, it can also help with specific health issues. It can help with temporomandibular arthritis (TMJ) and jaw joint problems. It can also reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches and even sinusitis.
So, do you want to try a cheek massage yourself? Yes, it looks a little crazy when you do it. Then, they’ll ask you to open your mouth slightly.
The provider will massage inside and outside your mouth. This includes massage directly on the cheek pads, but is not limited to them. You may feel light tapping near your temples and ears. First, they massage the outside of the face to warm it up. Then pressure is applied to specific areas inside the mouth.
For many, cost is a big issue. How much will you have to pay? Prices start at $150 for a treatment that includes a cheek massage. More experienced places may charge over $600. I myself spent 350 dollars there.
How long does a cheek massage take? The length of time for a cheek massage varies. Cheek massages are usually included in other facials, with 10 to 30 minutes dedicated to cheek techniques. Overall, it is a low-risk procedure. You should always seek out a trained professional; improperly trained people can cause numbness or jaw problems.
Dr. Wong lists who is not a good candidate for this service. She warns that it is not safe for pregnant women. It is also not for people who have had recent facial oral surgery.Dr. Engelman adds that it is also important not to have oral infections or ulcers. It involves work on the inside of the mouth that could make things worse.
Impatient people are usually satisfied with the speed of healing, and sculpting results can be seen at the end of the session. In fact, the results are more visible within 72 hours after the treatment. The results are immediate.
But don’t try the in-house technique yourself, okay? Of course, there are some things you can do at home to help the results last. Dr. Engelman recommends self-massage on the outside of the face. Try facial contouring tools and devices, too. Scraping or contouring devices can help aid in the process. Now, let’s clarify what to do at home. For example, home microcurrent or gua sha tools.
I’ve been a beauty and health reporter for many years. I get frequent migraines and my jaw is often tense. But I had never tried a cheek massage myself. I went to Sage + Sound on the Upper East Side of New York City.
The entire session is 90 minutes long, and Sage + Sound also has a face-only ritual for $300 for a face-only massage. Diana begins to prepare the outside of her face for the massage, which feels like careful preparation.
Diana now reaches into my mouth with her gloved hand. Pressing her thumb into her chin really doesn’t sound good. Despite the discomfort, I could feel that it was pressure working on the muscle and it wasn’t painful.
I could also feel her thumb moving in a circular motion and she checked it frequently during to make sure the pressure was working properly. Her communication puts me at ease.
After the massage my jaw later felt much looser and I was able to open my mouth wider than before. And the jawline looked more sculpted, and after two days, I seemed to see a slimmer line.
A cheek massage can give a sculpted look temporarily, albeit temporarily, but I think it also helps to relieve tension. I think it can be worth a try.
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