Can a mouth massage make me look young?

A non-surgical facelift where your cheeks are pummelled from the inside is being credited by celebs for giving them a sculpted look. Claire Spreadbury opens wide...

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I'm lying in a darkened room with someone else's hands in my mouth, drool about to drip over my lips, hoping an on-trend face massage will make me look younger.

All the celebs are at it, apparently. Kate Moss, Gwyneth Paltrow, the Duchess of Sussex and J-Lo are all said to be fans, but what exactly is it? And can it really turn back time?

"Buccal - or intraoral - massage is a specialised, non-surgical face massage which provides a unique way to release facial and muscle tension," says award-winning holistic therapist, Rima Shah, owner of London clinics Calm and Clear Complementary Therapies, who's been doing buccal massage for more than 15 years.

The therapist works the inside and outside of your cheeks, pummelling away that tension, while encouraging circulation and lymphatic drainage.

Buccal fat - the pad beneath the cheekbones, which gives the face a rounded look - recently hit the headlines when rumours swirled that some celebrities were having it removed for a more sucked-in look.

Model Chrissy Teigen has admitted to the procedure, posting a video showing off her more defined cheeks and sculpted cheekbones. Liam Payne was also suspected of having his buccal fat removed after showcasing a more angular face and jaw on the red carpet in 2023.

But perhaps they should have just stuck to the less invasive - or permanent - buccal massage for a more sucked-in look instead? "By targeting and toning the muscles around the mouth, it can help with muscle tone," says Rima.

And more importantly, it can lead to a gentle "lift" of the cheek and jawline, with more regular sessions providing a more defined change. Now I just need to try it for myself...

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BUCCAL MASSAGE?