The Science and Experience of Buccal Massage: What Really Happens to Your Face
- haeli morris
- Dec 5, 2025
- 4 min read
If you’ve seen those dramatic before-and-after photos floating around Instagram — sculpted cheekbones, softened jawlines, reduced puffiness — you might be wondering whether buccal massage (intraoral facial massage) really works and what the science behind it looks like.
As a massage therapist specializing in buccal massage and lymphatic facial work, I see these transformations every week in my Santa Rosa practice. But personal experience is just one part of the story — there’s also growing research to help explain why these changes happen.
In this post, we’ll walk through:
✨ What buccal massage actually is
✨ The anatomy involved
✨ What the latest medical and scientific literature tells us
✨ Why results can be so immediate
✨ Before-and-after examples
✨ Who benefits most
✨ Risks, limitations, and transparency
What Is Buccal Massage?
Buccal massage is a specialized facial technique performed inside and outside the mouth to release tension in the muscles of the cheeks, jaw, and face.It targets the:
Masseter
Buccinator
Pterygoids (indirectly)
Zygomatic muscles
Orbicularis oris
Lymphatic pathways along the jaw and neck
This internal approach allows for deeper access to the muscles responsible for chewing, clenching, facial expression, and emotional tension.
Clients often describe the sensation as “different but relieving,” followed by visible sculpting, less puffiness, softer lines, and a relaxed jaw.
The Science Behind Buccal & Facial Massage
While buccal massage is still a newer aesthetic trend, several areas of research support the mechanisms behind the changes we see.
1. Facial Massage Can Change Soft Tissue Shape (CT Imaging Study)
A 2022 pilot study using CT scanning found that facial massage produced measurable improvements in the appearance of sagging cheeks and facial contours. Researchers observed changes in soft tissue shape and skin elasticity after consistent massage therapy.
Source:Objective analysis of the effectiveness of facial massage using breakthrough computed tomographic technology: A preliminary pilot study (2022)
This supports what many clients experience: a subtly lifted, more defined profile after treatment.
2. Massage Reduces Jaw & Muscular Tension (TMJ Research)
Multiple peer-reviewed studies show that massage therapy is effective for myogenic TMD (temporomandibular disorders) — conditions related to jaw tension, clenching, or grinding.
Benefits documented include:
Reduced masseter muscle pain
Lower EMG muscle activity
Increased jaw mobility
Sources: Massage therapy and TMD study:
Manual soft tissue therapy for TMD:
Buccal massage directly targets these same muscles — which explains why so many clients experience relief from clenching, headaches, or tension.
3. Intraoral & Lymphatic Massage Can Reduce Swelling
Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is well-researched in both medical and postoperative fields. A 2025 study showed intraoral lymphatic stimulation reduced swelling and supported facial recovery after oral surgery.
Source: Manual lymphatic drainage for head and neck swelling:
This aligns with why buccal massage often produces immediate changes in puffiness and jawline definition: fluid movement + muscle release.
Before & After: What Clients Commonly Notice
While individual results vary, common immediate effects include:
✔️ More defined jawline
✔️ Reduced puffiness or facial swelling
✔️ Softer, more relaxed facial expression
✔️ Lifted cheekbones
✔️ Relief from jaw tension or clenching
✔️ Brighter, more refreshed appearance
These changes reflect muscular release + lymphatic flow + improved circulation.
Why Results Can Be So Instant
Buccal massage works through a combination of:
✨ Deep muscle tension release
When the jaw muscles relax, the face naturally appears more open, lifted, and harmonious.
✨ Lymphatic drainage
Fluid is redirected through the lymphatic pathways, reducing swelling and congestion.
✨ Increased microcirculation
Massage increases blood flow, which supports collagen health and gives the skin a glow.
✨ Nervous system regulation
Many people store emotional tension in the jaw and cheeks. When this is released, the entire face softens.
Who Benefits Most?
Buccal massage is especially helpful for people who experience:
TMJ discomfort or clenching
Facial puffiness
Tension headaches
“Tired” or swollen appearance
Overactive masseters (chewing gum, grinding teeth, stress)
Post-dental tension
Those wanting natural sculpting without injectables
A Balanced Perspective: What Buccal Massage Can’t Do
Some media articles point out that we lack long-term studies on buccal massage for permanent contouring — and they’re right. (Example: UTS review of buccal massage risks and limitations)
What we do know is that:
Results are real but temporary without consistent maintenance
Sculpting effects depend on muscle tension + fluid levels
Hygiene and proper training matter
It’s not a substitute for medical care
Overworking the tissue can cause irritation if done incorrectly
In Summary: Why Buccal Massage Works
Buccal massage is a powerful blend of:
💆♀️ Muscular release
🌿 Lymphatic drainage
✨ Aesthetic sculpting
🧠 Nervous system calming
Supported by research on facial massage, TMD therapy, and lymphatic drainage, the changes we see in before/after photos are neither magic nor coincidence — they’re the physiological response of tissues, muscles, and fluids shifting into a healthier state.
If you've been curious about trying buccal massage and experiencing these changes firsthand, I offer weekend sessions in Santa Rosa, designed to relieve tension, reduce puffiness, and support a naturally lifted, refreshed look.