If the idea of a complete stranger sticking their fingers in your mouth brings you out in hives, read no further. If, however, you have read about the new trend for what is known in the biz as buccal (from bucca, the Latin word for cheek) massage and it sounds intriguing, then you may want to book an appointment with Fran Connell.
Full disclosure: Fran is a friend who gave me a free session to try out this new technique before launching her business. I was slightly apprehensive, but I also suffer from a fairly tight jaw and thought this might be beneficial.
Buccal massage originated in France and is currently enjoying a moment of being fashionable, along with other techniques like the traditional Chinese method of gua sha to stimulate improved muscle tone and blood flow to the skin. It claims to relax tight muscles (especially for those who grind their teeth), improve the appearance of the jawline, soften lines, particularly around the mouth, and reduce puffiness.
A former Pilates instructor, with a lifelong commitment to wellbeing, Fran undertook training in Sydney to learn the method, building on her existing knowledge of anatomy.
The technique works on ligaments, fascia and the lymphatic system as well as muscles.
“We tend to get stuck in frowns and other facial expressions that can be ageing in the long term,” Fran says. “This technique helps to correct those unconscious habits. The results are a lifting, opening effect, but I have also had clients tell me that it has helped clear their sinuses.”
My appointment was for an hour and a half, but in fact Fran only had her fingers in my mouth for around 20 minutes of that. After taking a before shot to compare with later, the preamble involved a warming and soothing facial and scalp massage to boost circulation and lymph drainage.
Fran has set up her practice in the garden studio of her Wombarra home; it’s a very pretty location, with an informal planting of Australian natives and English cottage garden flowers. She is a keen gardener, which is perhaps why her hands have a firm feel to them.
I hear a crisp clicking sound as she dons black latex gloves for the inter-oral part of the treatment. The pressure is light, as she works the inside of the cheeks, avoiding the roof of the palate and the gums. It’s surprisingly pleasant. “You hold tension in your chin,” she tells me, which comes as a surprise – how do you even do that?
After the mouth massage, Fran applies a face mask that smells of miso and caramel and feels deliciously cooling. She sourced it in Japan and it produces a wonderful gleaming, polished effect.
When the treatment is over, Fran takes an after shot and we compare the two. The surprise is around my eyes, where fine lines are dramatically reduced. It’s as if the whole socket area has opened up. The frown lines on my forehead appear shallower too. I wish I were going out tonight.
For in-between session maintenance, Fran shows me gentle pinching and upward flicking techniques to practise at home to prevent sagging and tensing. I feel more aware of how many facial muscles I have and that they too need to be toned like the rest of the body.
Buccal massage may sound like something that only Gwyneth Paltrow would do, but for Fran, the commitment to studying the technique and its benefits goes way beyond a Hollywood fad. Whether the therapy can defy the ravages of air, time and gravity is another matter, but if I were a bride or looking for a different gift for a friend, I’d put my money where my mouth is.
To book: Follow Fran on Instagram at @holisticfacialmassagebyfran and click on the link in bio to make an appointment. Buccal massage $300 Tues/Weds
