The brutal truth about the $350 buccal massage Meghan Markle and Jennifer Lopez love... and why the 'natural facelift' left me wincing
Even though I'm only 27 years old, I'm always searching for the eternal fountain of youth - and it's not something that I'm ashamed to admit. While I totally buy into all of these wellness fads, like the vibration plate for lymphatic drainage that's all over TikTok, and submerging my face in a bowl of ice water every morning, the biggest beauty trend that I'm fixated on right now are facials.Not only do I love the flawless, glass-skin appearance, but I'm also a huge fan of how some facials can leave you looking like you've just gotten a facelift, giving you a sculpted and defined jawline and cheekbones. There have been mounting reports that Gen Z and beyond are treating their monthly facials as a replacement for Botox, opting for what they believe is the most 'holistic' approach to combat their fine lines and wrinkles. Facials alone can help to boost collagen and hydrate the skin, both of which are important preventative anti-aging methods. But what really has everyone talking these days is the buccal facial - a facial with a hefty price tag of nearly $400 that targets the inside of the mouth, the face and the jawline. It's something that Meghan Markle, Jennifer Lopez, Kristen Bell and Goop Goddess Gwyneth Paltrow all tout - with Markle even using the technique before her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry. It's supposed to open up your lymphatic system on the face and neck to both stimulate and relax the muscles that we all use so much, like the masseters in the jaw. The facial is known in the beauty world as the 'facelift without surgery,' due to the fact that it's supposed to tighten and lift by opening up the lymphatic system and flushing out waste. This is what I looked like right before I headed into my facial - I felt like my face looked a little bit tired from just waking up'Buccal massage is unique because it involves both external and intra-oral manipulation of the facial tissues,' Samantha McLaughlin, Licensed Esthetician at Dr Paul Afrooz in Coral Gables, Florida, told the Daily Mail.'A trained practitioner uses gloved hands to access the inside of the mouth while simultaneously working the outer cheek, allowing for direct engagement of deeper facial muscles that are not easily reached otherwise,' McLaughlin explained.'The technique focuses on kneading, lifting, and releasing tension in these muscles, particularly around the midface and jawline. This dual approach helps improve circulation and encourages lymphatic movement.'So, is this buccal massage truly a non-surgical facelift as everyone says it is or is it too good to be true? I decided to put it to the test for myself and got a 60-minute, $350 buccal massage facial at the spa in the Equinox Hotel in New York City's Hudson Yards. A 90-minute buccal massage at their spa will cost you $470. My appointment was at 10am, which was a perfect time given the fact that I feel like I often wake up puffy after long days full of work and events. In short, I'm definitely not getting the recommended eight hours of sleep.Before I went into the facial, I was feeling quite tired and felt like my eyes were particularly heavy. My skin was feeling dull too and, dare I say, a little sallow. My appointment was at 10am, which was a perfect time given the fact that I feel like I often wake up puffy after long days full of work and events. This was me right before I went in for the facialThe buccal massage facial was like nothing I had ever tried before and left me totally shocked. The esthetician explained that the facial would primarily be split up into four sections - first, we would open up the lymph to get things ready, and then start with the outer facial massage, before an inner facial massage which involved her using her fingers inside of my mouth, and then an end with some cooling cryotherapy sticks and some moisturizing elixirs from Biologique Recherche.So I laid myself down on the spa table and let her get to work on my tired face. The first part of the facial I found to be pretty relaxing, as she slowly massaged my face, neck and the upper back to activate the lymph nodes.This clears the path for the waste to flush out and overall gets everything working and activated. But as we got into some of the deeper work, I found it to be a lot more intensive and even a bit jarring at times. The most uncomfortable part was that I could actually feel the fluid moving around in my face as I was getting the massage.I could hear it too as the fluid moved near my ears, which had me wincing. She explained that the facial would primarily be split up into four sections - first, we would open up the lymph to get things ready, and then start with the outer facial massage, an inner facial massage which involved her using her fingers inside of my mouth The craziest, and frankly, the most uncomfortable part, was that I could actually feel the fluid moving around in my face as I was getting the massage. I felt the fluid going all around I noticed I was also swallowing a lot, which I was not expecting at all. But, while rather alarming, it turns out this is very normal for buccal massages. The esthetician said it was a sign that the lymphatic system had been activated. It's a major signal that my parasympathetic system had kicked into action and that I was becoming a lot more relaxed. She went in with both faster and slower massage techniques around my face and then it was time for her to go inside the mouth. I actually found this part to be the most nerve-wracking because I carry so much tension in my jaw. I was really scared that it was going to hurt, especially after seeing LeAnn Rimes' sob as she had a dramatic jaw massage just hours before. It didn't hurt as much as I thought it would - though my jaw is tight, it felt good to massage the actual masseter muscle from the inside.Relaxing? Not so much - but good for stress relief. According to Dr Paul N. Afrooz, a Coral Gables–based, award-winning facial plastic surgeon, the massage comes with many advantages, especially for those who hold a lot of tension in their jaw like me. 'The primary benefits of buccal massage lie in its ability to relieve tension in the facial muscles, particularly the masseter and buccinator muscles, which are often overactive in patients who clench or grind their teeth,' Dr Afrooz told the Daily Mail. After I got the facial, I noticed an immediate difference in how my face looked I think that my face definitely did look different afterward, but I'm not sure if the result was as dramatic as Kris Jenner's facelift The next morning, when I woke up, I did see a substantial difference in facial swelling and puffiness - but two days later, I feel like my face structure was back to normal'It can also promote lymphatic drainage, helping to reduce facial puffiness and improve overall skin tone by enhancing blood flow,' Dr Afrooz continued.'Many patients report a more sculpted appearance along the cheekbones and jawline immediately after treatment, though this is temporary.'The doctor also shared that the massage can help to relieve stress, something that 'indirectly benefits skin health' - and was a benefit I definitely felt almost immediately. To finish everything, she gave my face a cooling refresh with cryotherapy sticks - a globe-shaped skincare tool that has been frozen. When the facial was over, I was then given a hand-held mirror to see what I looked like - and honestly, I was shocked.All of the puffiness on my face had seemingly melted away, and I was left with a sculpted jawline and a noticeable brow lift. My cheeks appeared less puffy, too, although I didn't see a major difference in my cheekbone area.My skin was glowing. When I got back to the office, I had multiple colleagues tell me how refreshed I looked. I think that my face definitely did look different afterward, but the result was not as dramatic as Kris Jenner's facelift. I felt sculpted and 'snatched,' but I don't think that it is a replacement for actual cosmetic work.If you're looking for the drastic results that plastic surgery can guarantee you, then a buccal massage isn't worth the hefty price tag. Read More Taylor Swift's pre-wedding glow up revealed: Rigorous steps bride-to-be has taken I was a bit red, which went down after about 30 minutes. The esthetician explained that it's normal because there is so much blood flow going to the area. However, it is recommended that you get the facial multiple times to see real results. The esthetician said that she sees many of her clients once a week.I don't think that the results are a replacement for real cosmetic work unless you're getting it every few days. It could be a great option before a big event like a wedding or a birthday party, even an anniversary, but not something that will be a substitute for injections like Botox. It's a nice treat and good for rejuvenation purposes. The next morning, when I woke up, I did see a substantial difference in facial swelling and puffiness - but two days later, I felt like my face structure was back to normal. My skin was clear from the facial, giving that 'glass-skin' effect, but I'm not sure my face looked like I had just walked out of the plastic surgeon's office. Dr Afrooz explained that many of these sculpting effects can be 'short-lived,' but the other benefits can have lasting effects. 'It works in the sense that it can improve lymphatic drainage, reduce muscle tension, and temporarily enhance facial contour by decreasing fluid retention,' Dr Afrooz explained to the Daily Mail.'However, it does not alter the underlying anatomy or provide permanent lifting or fat reduction. Patients should understand that any sculpting effect is subtle and short-lived, largely related to decreased puffiness and improved circulation,' he said.'In the right context, it can be beneficial, but it should not be confused with surgical or energy-based treatments that create structural change.'
