Buccal Massage – Is It Worth It?

Buccal Massage – Is It Worth It? A London Therapist Explains

Facial trends come and go, but buccal massage has stayed firmly in the spotlight. From celebrity red carpets to TikTok videos, everyone seems to be talking about this intraoral facial massage that promises a more sculpted jawline, relaxed cheeks and relief from jaw tension. If you are searching for “buccal massage London” or “buccal massage near me” and wondering whether it’s really worth it, this guide is for you.

What Is Buccal Massage? (And Why Everyone’s Talking About It)

At its simplest, buccal massage is a specialised facial technique that works on the muscles of your cheeks and jaw from both the outside and the inside of the mouth. “Buccal” refers to the inner cheek area – so yes, during this treatment your therapist places gloved fingers inside your mouth while supporting and massaging the same tissues from the outside.

Unlike a standard face massage that stays on the skin’s surface, buccal facial massage targets deeper layers: intraoral muscles, fascial tissues and the areas where we tend to clench and hold stress.

Because it works so deeply, buccal massage is often described as a combination of:

lymphatic drainage
jaw and TMJ release
deeply relaxing bodywork for the face

How Buccal Facial Massage Works – Inside and Outside the Cheeks

What happens during a buccal massage session?

Every practitioner has their own style, but a typical buccal massage in London with me looks like this:

Consultation & consent – we talk through your goals (TMJ pain, puffiness etc.), medical history and any dental or skin issues.
External warm-up – I start with massage over the neck, jawline and cheeks to soften superficial tissues and stimulate circulation.
Intraoral (inside-mouth) work – wearing medical gloves, I gently place fingers inside the cheeks while the thumbs or other hand support the outside of the face. Using slow, precise movements, I lift, stretch and release the muscles and fascia around:
- jaw joint and intraoral muscles
- buccinator and cheek area
- areas around the lips and nasolabial folds
Integration & drainage – the session finishes with lymphatic strokes along the neck and face to encourage drainage and help you feel grounded and relaxed.

This intraoral buccal massage may feel unusual at first, but most clients quickly relax and describe a sense of “finally letting go” in the jaw and face.

Buccal Massage Benefits – Jaw Relief and Real Relaxation

Done correctly, buccal massage can offer both cosmetic and therapeutic benefits. Research on intraoral myofascial therapy – a closely related technique – suggests that working inside the mouth can help improve pain and function in people with chronic temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

Cosmetic benefits of buccal face massage

People often book buccal facial massage for its visible effects, which may include:

Subtle lifting and contouring of cheeks and jawline by rebalancing muscle tone.
Reduced puffiness as lymphatic drainage improves fluid movement.
Healthier glow thanks to increased circulation and oxygen delivery to the skin.
Softer expression lines where tension in the muscles was pulling the face downwards.

For many people, buccal massage feels like a natural, non-invasive alternative to more aggressive treatments such as fillers or buccal fat removal.

Therapeutic benefits – TMJ, headaches and stress

Because it targets deep jaw muscles, buccal massage can also help with:

Jaw tightness and clenching
TMJ-related discomfort and reduced range of motion
Tension headaches that start around the temples or jaw
Facial pain linked with overworking the chewing muscles

On top of that, the face is incredibly expressive. Releasing tightness here can feel surprisingly emotional and deeply calming, much like a good deep tissue or Signature Massage does for your shoulders and back.

Is Buccal Massage Good for TMJ and Jaw Tension?

If you grind your teeth, wake up with a stiff jaw, or experience clicking and aching around the joint, you might be asking whether buccal massage for TMJ is worth trying.

Evidence from small clinical trials on intraoral myofascial therapy suggests improvements in jaw pain, mouth opening and overall function compared with no treatment, especially when combined with education and self-care.

However, it’s important to be realistic:

Buccal massage is not a cure for TMD or TMJ disorders.
It works best as part of a broader plan that can include manual therapy, stress management and home exercises.
Anyone with significant jaw locking, acute injury or complex medical history should seek medical advice first.

In clinic, I find buccal massage especially helpful for clients whose jaw tension is driven by stress and posture and who already follow advice from their dentist or doctor.

Buccal Massage Before and After – What Results Can You Expect?

You’ll see plenty of dramatic “buccal massage before and after” photos online, but in real life results are usually:

Subtle but noticeable: a more defined jawline, less puffiness, softer expression.
Cumulative: one session can make you feel lighter and more open, but a series of sessions builds longer-lasting change.
Closely linked to your habits: if you continue heavy clenching, high stress and poor posture, results will fade faster.

Most clients leave their first buccal massage in London session saying things like “I didn’t realise how tight my jaw was” and noticing a softer, more relaxed face in the mirror.

Side Effects, Risks and Who Should Avoid Buccal Massage

Any honest discussion of buccal massage needs to cover safety. Most people experience only mild side effects such as:

Temporary soreness in the cheeks and jaw (similar to post-workout ache)
Increased saliva during intraoral work
Occasional emotional release or fatigue as tension drops

You should not book buccal massage if you have:

Active dental infections, gum disease or untreated cavities
Recent dental surgery, implants or oral wounds
Cold sores or active skin infections around the mouth
Recent injectable fillers or Botox around the lower face (usually wait 2–3 weeks or follow practitioner advice)

If you’re unsure, talk to your dentist, GP or a qualified therapist before booking.

Buccal Massage vs Fillers, Buccal Fat Removal and Traditional Facials

Clients often compare buccal massage with more familiar options:

Buccal massage vs buccal fat removal

Buccal fat removal is a surgical procedure that permanently removes cheek fat pads and carries typical surgical risks.
Buccal massage is non-invasive, reversible and focuses on muscles, fascia and fluid rather than cutting tissue. It’s more subtle but also safer and easier to adjust over time.

Buccal massage vs fillers and Botox

Fillers and Botox can change volume and muscle activity quickly, but they involve injections, potential side effects and maintenance every few months.
Buccal facial massage works with your existing structure, encouraging better muscle balance and lymph flow. Results build gradually and support overall facial health.

Buccal massage vs traditional facials

Classic facials focus on the skin surface and often include only a few minutes of massage.
Buccal massage spends most of the session on targeted manual work inside and outside the mouth, making it a better choice for jaw tension and muscular causes of puffiness.

How Many Buccal Massage Sessions Do You Need – and How Often?

There’s no single formula, but a typical buccal massage London plan might look like:

First phase: 2 sessions, spaced 2-4 weeks apart, to release chronic tension and reshape patterns.
Maintenance: once every 4–8 weeks, or timed around periods of stress, important events or dental work.
TMJ-focused programmes: often follow your dentist or physio’s guidance and may combine buccal massage with home exercises and posture work.

We decide frequency together based on how your jaw responds, your stress levels and your goals – whether that’s purely cosmetic or more about comfort and pain relief.

Is Buccal Massage Worth It? My Honest Opinion as a London Therapist

So, is buccal massage worth it?

In my experience, the answer is yes – for the right person, at the right time.

It’s likely worth considering if you:

Hold a lot of tension in your jaw and cheeks
Experience mild to moderate TMJ discomfort (and are already under appropriate medical care)
Prefer natural, manual approaches over injectables or surgery
Want your face to look fresher, while also feeling genuinely more relaxed

It may not be worth it if you:

Expect the same results as surgery or heavy fillers
Are unwilling to commit to a short series of sessions and lifestyle changes
Have major dental or jaw problems that need specialist medical or dental treatment first

When combined with good sleep, stress management and perhaps a Signature Massage or Manual Lymphatic Drainage, buccal massage can be a powerful way to support both your appearance and your wellbeing.

H2: Buccal Massage – FAQs

What is a buccal facial massage in simple terms?

It’s a face massage that includes work inside your mouth. The therapist wears gloves and gently massages your cheeks and jaw from the inside while supporting the outside of your face.

Is buccal massage safe?

For most healthy people with no active dental or skin issues, buccal massage is generally safe when performed by a trained practitioner using proper hygiene. There is a small risk of soreness, which is why screening and aftercare are important.

Can I do buccal massage on myself at home?

Light facial massage at home is fine, but full intraoral buccal massage is best left to professionals. Doing deep work inside your mouth without training can irritate delicate tissues or make TMJ symptoms worse.

How long do buccal massage results last?

You’ll usually notice softer features and less puffiness for a few days after your first buccal massage. With a course of treatments and maintenance, changes can last for weeks or longer, especially if you also manage stress and jaw habits.

Is buccal massage painful?

Most people describe it as intense but not painful – similar to having tight muscles stretched. You might feel tender the next day, like after a workout, especially if your jaw was very tight to begin with.

How much does buccal massage cost in London?

Prices vary widely in London depending on location and therapist experience. Generally, buccal massage is priced similarly to advanced facial or specialist bodywork sessions. As a guideline, expect it to cost more than a basic facial but less than most injectable procedures.

Is buccal massage worth it if I already have fillers or Botox?

It can still be worthwhile, but timing matters. Most practitioners recommend leaving a gap between injectables and buccal massage to avoid disturbing fresh work. If in doubt, check with both your injector and your massage therapist.

About the Author

Marta Suchanska is the founder of MɅSSɅGE, a Certified Massage Therapist, Nutritional Therapist, and final-year student of Osteopathic Medicine based in Marylebone, London. With over 10 years of experience, she specialises in a holistic, personalised approach to women’s health and chronic pain. Marta’s mission is to address root causes, helping clients restore balance and long-term wellbeing.

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