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Could buccal massage – the latest celebrity beauty trend – make you look older, not younger?

<p>Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2018/05/meghan-markle-royal-wedding-prep">reportedly</a> had it before marrying Prince Harry. Jennifer Lopez is also <a href="https://www.eonline.com/news/917768/jennifer-lopez-is-a-fan-of-meghan-markle-s-pre-wedding-facial-too">apparently</a> a fan. We’re talking about a type of facial called a “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2023/jan/30/why-celebrities-love-buccal-massage-mouth-facial">buccal massage</a>”.</p> <p>But what exactly is a buccal massage? Does it really sculpt the face, <a href="https://www.skincarebyamypeterson.com/buccal-sculpting-facial">as claimed</a>? Are there risks? Could it actually make your skin look “looser” and older?</p> <p>You probably won’t be surprised to hear there isn’t evidence from rigorous controlled scientific studies to show buccal massage gives you a more contoured look. </p> <p>But talking about it can raise awareness about our facial muscles, what they do, and why they’re important.</p> <h2>What is buccal massage? Does it work?</h2> <p>Buccal massage (pronounced “buckle”) is also called “intra-oral” massage. The term “buccal” comes from the Latin “bucca” meaning “cheek”. </p> <p>In buccal massage, a beautician inserts their fingers into the buccal cavity – the space between your teeth and the inside of your cheeks – <a href="https://www.instyle.com/beauty/skin/buccal-facials">to</a> “massage and sculpt your skin from the inside”. </p> <p>They apply pressure between the thumb (on the outside the mouth), and pinch and move fingers (inside the mouth), to stretch and massage the muscles. </p> <p>You can also <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPpPEG7ZX2w">perform it on yourself</a>, which may give you better control over stopping if <a href="https://www.dazeddigital.com/beauty/article/44445/1/buccal-massage-sharpen-cheekbones">it hurts</a>.</p> <p>But could all of this (rather expensive) action really change the shape of your face, or how it looks, feels, or moves?</p> <p>It’s extremely unlikely, since the shape of your face is influenced by a lot more than your muscles. Any claims of buccal massage providing any lasting impact or “uplift” on the contours of the face are purely anecdotal.</p> <p>In the absence of controlled trials reporting on the effects of buccal massage, it’s unlikely stretching your skin and oral or facial muscles in this way will provide any lasting benefit.</p> <p>That’s possibly because buccal massage is “passive” – the muscles are only moving by the effort of the beautician.</p> <p>In contrast, “active” movement of face muscles, through a program of face exercises, was associated with some improvements to facial appearance in a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5885810/">small study</a> of middle-aged women.</p> <h2>But facial massage and stretching can help some</h2> <p>External massaging or stretching muscles in the face, however, can help some people with certain medical conditions affecting the jaw, or how the mouth opens.</p> <p>This includes people with <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24086-trismus">trismus</a>. This is when the temporomandibular joint – where the jawbone meets the skull – can be so tight it’s <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493203/">hard to open your mouth</a>. </p> <p>Face massage can also provide <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5237268/">some relief</a> for people with jaw clenching or <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bruxism/symptoms-causes/syc-20356095">bruxism (teeth grinding)</a> when it relaxes the muscle and reduces tension. </p> <p>Health professionals might also <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0305417915000546?via%3Dihub">prescribe</a> mouth and face stretches and exercises for someone recovering from <a href="https://www.vicburns.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Face-and-mouth-exercises_020419.pdf">facial burns</a>. This is to make sure that, as someone heals, their skin is flexible and muscles mobile for the mouth to open wide enough and move properly. Being able to open your mouth wide enough is vital for eating and tooth brushing.</p> <h2>Is buccal massage safe?</h2> <p>As there is no scientific research into buccal massage, we don’t know if it’s safe or if there are any risks.</p> <p>The firm touch, squeezing and movement of another person’s fingers on the sensitive mucous membrane (moist lining) inside your mouth could be both uncomfortable and off-putting. This action will also <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/odi.12867#:%7E:text=Stimulation%20of%20mechanoreceptors%20in%20the,%2C%20%26%20Berg%2C%201987">stimulate your salivary glands</a> to produce saliva, which you’ll need to spit or swallow. </p> <p>As buccal massage involves a beauty therapist’s fingers being inside your mouth, infection prevention and control measures, including <a href="https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/factsheets/Pages/beauty-treatment.aspx">excellent hand hygiene</a>, is essential. </p> <p>It would also be interesting to know whether or not buccal massage could actually further <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-is-buccal-face-massage_l_6352be32e4b03e8038debf83">loosen your skin</a> and make you look older, sooner.</p> <h2>Your face muscles are important</h2> <p>Regardless of whether buccal massage has any effect, it’s a chance to talk about our face muscles and why they’re important.</p> <p>We often take them for granted. We may not think about keeping these muscles “supple”, and they don’t usually feel “stiff” unless we hold a smile for long periods, grind our teeth, or have a medical condition affecting the face, jaw or mouth.</p> <p>There are more than <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493209/">two dozen</a>, muscles in our face, most in pairs, one on either side of the face.</p> <p>They’re a vital part of who we are, shaping our appearance, and allowing us to make facial expressions, lower and raise our jaw and the corners of our mouth, smile, blow a kiss, speak, suck and swallow.</p> <p>Face muscles help define the shape of our face and our identity. It’s no wonder we can struggle with age-related changes that affect how our face looks.</p> <h2>3 cheers for our buccinators</h2> <p>The <a href="https://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/buccinator#1">buccinator muscles</a>, which buccal massage moves, are vital to our survival. The buccinator is one of the first muscles <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546678/">to contract</a> when a baby suckles.</p> <p>These muscles lie deep beneath the skin of the cheeks and are important for a number of reasons:</p> <ul> <li> <p>their main function is to help us eat. They contract to help move food between the teeth for chewing. We can squeeze our buccinator muscles to push food back into the mouth from the sides</p> </li> <li> <p>they help us puff out our cheeks, blow out a candle, or blow a trumpet </p> </li> <li> <p>when they contract, they move your inner cheek out of the way of your teeth. Without them, you’d bite your cheek every time you closed your jaw</p> </li> <li> <p>they help keep your teeth in place.</p> </li> </ul> <h2>In a nutshell</h2> <p>Buccal massage mightn’t make your face look “sculpted”. It probably comes with infection risks, and we know little about its safety. </p> <p>But if nothing else, the buccal massage trend has highlighted just how important our face muscles really are.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/could-buccal-massage-the-latest-celebrity-beauty-trend-make-you-look-older-not-younger-198990" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. </em></p>

Beauty & Style

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Another surprising use for a massage gun

<p>Massage guns have become hugely popular gadgets over the past couple of years. Not only do they ease aches and pains at home, but they are also being used in an unlikely cleaning hack.</p> <p>American woman, Lanie, posted a video on Tiktok showing how effective massage guns are at lifting up hidden dirt and sand in car floor carpets.</p> <p>The video of the strange hack has quickly gone viral with a massive 12.8 million views in just three days. You can watch the TikTok in the video above.</p> <p>"Thought this was cool," Lanie captioned the clip.</p> <p>In the video, you can see big piles of dirt exposed by the massage gun vibrations before being sucked up by a vacuum. It's one of those TikTok cleaning clips that is as satisfying to watch, as it is scary to see truly how much dirt is lurking where we don't see it.</p> <p>What makes the hack even more shocking is that Lanie revealed in the comments the car carpet had been vacuumed before using the massage gun.</p> <p>"Vacuum first then use this so we can see how much extra dirt appears!" a viewer suggested.</p> <p>To try the hack you’re going to need a massage gun with an attachment known as a fork, and a vacuum cleaner.</p> <p>All you need to do is touch the car floor with the massage gun so the vibrations it produces can lift out the hidden dirt. As you move the massage gun around the floor, you'll need to follow it with a vacuum.</p> <p>Tiktok users were blown away by the hack and surprising alternative use for the massage gun.</p> <p><em>Image: TikTok</em></p>

Home & Garden

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Gua sha massage: 10 things experts need you to know

<p><strong>The promises of gua sha massage</strong></p> <p>Even if you’re not familiar with gua sha massage, you may have seen the colourful face massagers (often light pink or green in the shape of a tulip or a loose heart) – used for facial contouring.</p> <p>These types of massagers say they’ll smooth wrinkles, lift eyebrows, reduce acne scarring – and they can even lighten dark circles and reduce puffiness. But that’s not all!</p> <p>Acupuncturist Jenny Tu, PhD, has been offering UCLA students from the Arthur Ashe Student Health &amp; Wellness Center gua sha massage for a number of ailments – primarily for pain management and muscle tension.</p> <p>Now, from her private practice, she treats patients ranging from teens to seniors in their nineties. Gua sha was passed down to her by her family members as part of her Chinese culture and tradition.</p> <p>Chiropractor Ronald Salupo, DC, has also implemented gua sha at his practice – even for plantar fasciitis. One of Salupo’s patients, Jill Carrigan, explains she had been in pain for several years. “Gua sha massage helped cure my plantar fasciitis symptoms in just six 30-minute sessions,” Carrigan says.</p> <p><strong>What exactly is gua sha?</strong></p> <p>Developed during the Ming Dynasty, gua sha is one of many techniques that has been used for thousands of years to treat patients with traditional Chinese medicine.</p> <p>“The literal translation is ‘scraping sand’ for the reddish rash that appears after a gua sha session,” explains Tu.</p> <p>The technical term for the tiny red spots is petechiae – due to tiny capillaries breaking open. This “scraping” type of massage can be beneficial for your whole body – commonly applied to the neck, arms, back, legs, chest and buttocks areas.</p> <p><strong>What to expect</strong></p> <p>The intensity of the massage varies depending on the area of the body being worked on.</p> <p>“Traditional gua sha focuses on releasing the exterior or clearing excess heat of the body,” Tu reports.</p> <p>The pressure and scraping motions are induced repeatedly to obtain the production of the tiny red spots on the skin. “Generally, one would expect to be sore and tender in the areas that are worked on with light red to purple markings for a couple of days,” Tu adds.</p> <p>The specific oil used (to increase comfort level and absorption) and the shape of the gua sha tool may vary depending on the practitioner (or the one you choose for home – more on these below).</p> <p><strong>Benefits of gua sha massage</strong></p> <p><strong>Neck and back pain</strong></p> <p>Tu sees patients responding well to gua sha treatments for dealing with musculoskeletal pain – affecting bones, joints, muscles, tendons, or ligaments. Gua sha therapy has been widely used clinically in patients with lower back pain.</p> <p>A small study published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine found that some people who had gua sha massage experienced relief from chronic neck and low back pain.</p> <p>The short and long strokes help to stimulate the micro-circulation of the soft tissues – which simply means an increase in blood flow.</p> <p><strong>Perimenopausal symptoms</strong></p> <p>Chinese researchers tried gua sha on women going through menopause and found that the massage could ease issues like hot flashes, sleep issues and mood changes, according to a 2018 review of research published in the journal <em>Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice</em>.</p> <p><strong>Other treatments</strong></p> <p>“Gua sha isn’t just for treating pain and injuries – some are also using it for digestive and respiratory conditions – along with lymphatic drainage,” Tu reports.</p> <p>In her experience, gua sha can even be a potential treatment for reducing headaches and insomnia.</p> <p>A case report published in <em>Global Advances in Health in Medicine</em> discusses a woman with a potential decrease in anxiety and depression symptoms due to circulation improvements from gua sha.</p> <p><strong>Is it safe?</strong></p> <p>“Gua sha is considered a very safe practice if done correctly by a professional or even by oneself,” Tu says – adding that it would be wise for someone who has not had gua sha before to seek a professional first before going it alone.</p> <p>You may notice that the practice is offered interchangeably with “spooning” which is the act of using a ceramic spoon to scrape – also known as “using a coin to scrape.”</p> <p>Though generally considered safe, it is not recommended in conjunction with antiplatelet or anticoagulant medications. Also, make sure sterile materials are used to avoid possible infections. Definitely discuss your interest in gua sha with your doctor before making an appointment to get the massage.</p> <p><strong>Some precautions to take</strong></p> <p>Find a skilled practitioner who has good reviews – in other words, do some research. You should not be afraid to ask questions about how many sessions this should take in order to see potential results for your specific health goals.</p> <p>The practitioner should be willing to answer your questions in an initial consultation before treatments begin – and if you have any serious health conditions, consult with your medical doctor first. Tu advises patients to let their practitioner know how they are tolerating the session(s).</p> <p><strong>Doing this from home</strong></p> <p>For facial massagers – one to three times per week for five to 10 minutes is ideal. They work well with a moisturiser, like rose hips oil or a gentle face mask – though it’s not required.</p> <p>If you plan to treat other areas of your body from home, research the best gua sha tool for your specific need. “Make sure it’s well-rounded and fits in your hand without causing discomfort,” Tu says.</p> <p>Also, remember to start out slowly – you can always apply more pressure as you go along.</p> <p><strong>Tools used for gua sha</strong></p> <p>While gua sha has changed somewhat in its application over the years, the general technique has stayed the same.</p> <p>“Traditionally, gua sha tools consisted of any solid rounded object, such as buffalo horn, antelope horn, jade stones, ginger root, ceramic spoons, coins and even your own knuckles,” explains Tu.</p> <p>More recently, popular materials include rose quartz, medical grade surgical stainless steel, and plastics.</p> <p>“Part of this has to do with the varying properties of the materials. For example, jade stones have cooling properties – so they are used in conditions where someone experiences inflammation or excess heat,” Tu says.</p> <p><strong>Oils for comfort</strong></p> <p>It depends on your preference and the practitioner’s – but to avoid friction, it’s best to use a generous amount of oil, lubricant, or liniment.</p> <p>“Herbal liniments are used depending on the properties of the herbs,” explains Tu. “For example, some herbs have a cooling effect which would help to release exterior properties from those who have more heat symptoms in their body.”</p> <p><strong>Want to try it?</strong></p> <p>Check with your doctor before trying gua sha to make sure it’s safe for your skin and health. If you do go to a gua sha practitioner, ask plenty of questions before you start and make sure the massage goes at a pace that you’re comfortable with.</p> <p><em><span id="docs-internal-guid-ffbe996b-7fff-e4ee-51ce-78e7886d8d2d">Written by [AUTHOR]. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/healthsmart/gua-sha-massage-10-things-experts-need-you-to-know" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=articles&amp;utm_campaign=RDSUB&amp;keycode=WRA87V" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here’s our best subscription offer.</a></span></em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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How to cope when you’re caring for your parents – and your kids

<p>Changing demographics and social norms in Australia have given rise to a new phenomenon known as the ‘sandwich generation.’ This term refers to those caught between caring for their own children and their ageing parents.</p> <p>This all began when people chose to start their families later. The fertility rate for women aged 35-39 has more than doubled over the last 30 years, while the rate for women aged 40-44 has tripled.</p> <p>At the same time, rising property prices and higher costs of living are enticing adult children to remain living at home for longer.</p> <p>At the other end of the spectrum, Australians are also living longer. The life expectancy of Australians currently stands at 82.5 years, up more than 10 years from the 1960 rate of 71 years.</p> <p>Those sandwiched between care of their own children and the care of their parents have been coined ‘the sandwich generation’.</p> <p>Compounding the pressure on many ‘sandwich’ families is the rising proportion of women in the workforce. Where women may previously have been at home and more available to fulfil caring roles, they are now, more often than not, occupied with their own busy jobs.</p> <p><strong>Getting help</strong></p> <p>Being caught in the sandwich generation can be emotionally and physically exhausting. What is the best way for carers to manage their competing priorities? After all, caregivers can only continue to provide good support it they look after themselves.</p> <p>Recruiting the right help is one of the best ways carers can relieve the pressures they are feeling.</p> <p>Kate Spurway founded her company - NurseWatch - with the ‘sandwich generation’ in mind, aiming to provide care for those with busy lives and heavily competing demands on their time.</p> <p>As a home care provider, NurseWatch is a little different from others companies in this area because Spurway has given the company a strong focus on wellness and prevention, as well as treatment.</p> <p>NurseWatch provides support not only for ageing parents, but also for the ‘sandwich’ carers themselves who are generally in their 50s or 60s and may have health concerns of their own.</p> <p>The staff at NurseWatch offer yoga, massage, health coaching and mindfulness, as well as wound care, post-hospital care, assistance with medical appointments, and medication assistance.</p> <p>Highly qualified and experienced carers work with clients to establish personalised environments and routines which are designed to preserve vitality and wellbeing, as well as restore good health.</p> <p>Spurway says it’s important for older people to remain active in their communities – by continuing to take part in activities they love, whether it be furniture making, ballet, or going on a holiday. She says the staff at NurseWatch can help facilitate these activities if the designated carer is running short of time.</p> <p>NurseWatch follows a ‘wellness, care, social’ model: creating wellness in a caring environment, while providing nurturing, social engagement.</p> <p><strong>Being present…</strong></p> <p>Caring isn’t easy, and for those with competing demands on their time, it’s almost impossible. Acknowledging this fact, accepting help is needed, and then putting the right systems and routines in place, will not only take care of the caring, it will help the ‘sandwiched’ carers regain balance – and ultimately help them to be more present for their loved ones who need them.</p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Family & Pets

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How to give yourself a face massage

<p>You may have had facial massage as part of a salon facial. Feels great, right? The beauty of it, though, is that you can take advantage of the health benefits of a face massage at home (or anywhere), even just to relax when you’re stressed out.</p> <p>As skin ages, it loses elasticity and firmness. Massage won’t reverse the ageing process but it can boost blood flow, adding a healthy glow while nourishing skin and facial muscles. It can also speed removal of toxins, which play havoc with skin texture, and it tones and lifts muscles to give a youthful look. Here’s how:</p> <p><strong>Moves to soften facial lines and wrinkles</strong></p> <p>Try this five-minute routine while applying your moisturiser. The first few times you do it, you’ll probably have to keep your eyes open to glance at these instructions. But you’ll quickly learn the routine and be able to do it with your eyes closed.</p> <ol> <li>Close your eyes. Place the pads of the ring finger of each hand on the inner edge of the eyebrows near the centre of your forehead. Make very small and gentle circular stroking movements, working all the way around your eyes. Glide lightly over the surface of the skin. Continue these circular strokes all over your face and under your chin.</li> <li>Bring the index finger of each hand to your cheekbones. Gently press and then rotate the pads of your fingers so the skin moves against the bone. Be careful not to drag the skin. Lift your fingers, move to the next spot and repeat, working along your cheekbones towards your ears. Repeat these stationary circles all over your cheeks, maintaining a very gentle pressure.</li> <li>Bring the pads of your thumbs to the outer edge of your nostrils, fingers resting on your forehead. Glide your thumbs across your cheekbones, finishing with an upward stroke to your ears. Repeat the movement three times with your thumbs, starting a little farther up your nose each time. Avoid the delicate skin under the eyes. Repeat the sequence.</li> <li>Place all the fingers of both hands above your chin, with thumbs held underneath your jaw. Gently press down and rotate your fingers, being careful not to move your thumbs. Continue the movements along your jawbone, right up to your ears. Repeat the pressing and rotating movements three times, maintaining a gentle pressure.</li> <li>With palms facing downwards, gently pat under your chin and around your jawline. Using alternate hands, tap regularly in a flicking action, covering the whole area.</li> <li>Cover your face with gentle fingertip tapping to give skin a glow. Keep the movement light and bouncy, moving rapidly over cheeks, nose and forehead. Include your ears if you wish.</li> <li>Finish by stroking gently upwards from your chest to your chin with the backs of your hands in long, flowing sweeps. Make sure that one hand moves after the other rhythmically.</li> </ol> <p><em>This article first appeared in <a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/beauty/skin/give-yourself-a-face-massage">Reader’s Digest.</a> For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=articles&amp;utm_campaign=RDSUB&amp;keycode=WRN87V">here’s our best subscription offer</a>.</em></p> <p><img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" /></p>

Beauty & Style

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Why a massage benefits your health

<p>Lying on a massage table, slathered in oil, while a candle burns and soft music plays in the background may hardly seem medicinal. But research suggests that those who enjoy massage are reaping a tone of health benefits. From reducing blood pressure to helping with stress management, massage therapy may well be the key to keeping you in good health.</p> <p>A 2013 study published in the International Journal of Preventative Medicine showed a startling link between massage and blood pressure. 50 people with mildly elevated blood pressure were given a 15 minute massage, three times a week for 10 sessions. Meanwhile, a similar group simply relaxed for the same amount of time.</p> <p>Researchers found that those in the massage group had reduced blood pressure at the end of the sessions, while there was minimal change in the control group. What’s better, those who received regular massages reaped the benefits of a lower blood pressure for several days <em>after</em> their 10 sessions ended.</p> <p>Another study gave an even more promising diagnosis on massage therapy as a body-wide healer. Researchers examined eight women with high blood pressure, who received an hour-long massage each week for four weeks. At the end of the test their blood pressure not only fell by 12mm Hg systolic (a great result) but there was also a drop in markers of inflammation, suggesting massage doesn’t just help the heart, it has a whole-body effect.</p> <p>So, why the link between massage and cardiovascular function? While it’s not completely known why the two are related, some studies have found that massage reduces the levels of the stress hormone cortisol.</p> <p>More research is still needed, but the bottom line is that massage is great for managing stress and keeping your blood pressure at a healthy level. So, next time you feel like you’re being a bit too indulgent for heading to the day spa, think of it as a healthy treat. </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/body/2015/11/how-to-stay-asleep/"><em>5 tips to stay asleep all night</em></a></strong></p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/body/2015/11/should-you-sleep-in-or-work-out/"><em>Should you sleep in or exercise?</em></a></strong></p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/body/2015/11/healthy-foods-that-make-you-hungrier/"><em>5 healthy foods that can make you hungrier</em></a></strong></p>

Body