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Introducing mewing -

Of all the trends to go viral on TikTok, one of the strangest has to be mewing. Named after British orthodontist John Mew, mewing is an at-home beauty technique meant to give you a better jawline.

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Basic technique -

Mewing involves pushing your tongue against the roof of your mouth and holding it there, with a view to giving your jaw, and even your cheekbones, a more defined look.

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Origins and rise in popularity -

The technique first gained popularity when Mew’s son started posting about it on his YouTube channel. People became enthusiastic about being able to achieve a model-like jawline at home.

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Alternative treatment -

Indeed, mewing was intended to be an inexpensive alternative to facial reconstruction surgery and other treatments. However, there is no scientific evidence to support its efficacy.

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John Mew's fate -

In fact, it is worth noting that John Mew was eventually stripped of his license for publicly criticizing traditional orthodontics and running false advertisements.

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Like father, like son - His son, in turn, was also expelled from the British Orthodontic Society because he had advocated his father’s unsubstantiated theories.

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Try mewing at home -

But if you would like to give mewing a go, it is a good idea to first consult your dentist or orthodontist. They will be able to tell you if the technique is safe for you to try.

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Sit up straight -

If you get the go ahead, mewing is simple enough to try at home. Start by sitting up straight and making sure your neck is in a comfortable position.

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Lift your tongue -

Keeping your mouth closed, push your tongue hard against the roof of your mouth and hold it there for two minutes. Your teeth should be touching lightly, but they shouldn’t be clenched.

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Time yourself -

After the two minutes are up, relax the position to the point that you are only using half the force, then hold it again for another two minutes.

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Repeat -

Repeat this process until the action of pressing your tongue against the roof of your mouth is very light.

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Temporary improvement -

When you are actually in the process of mewing and holding the pose, your jawline may appear more defined. This may be sufficient if you want to look a certain way for a photo.

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No permanent change -

However, it’s important to note that the improvement is only temporary and that there is no scientific evidence to suggest that mewing will actually tighten or improve your jawline in any way.

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Influencers -

Despite the lack of scientific evidence, however, many influencers on social media have touted the benefits of mewing, claiming it slimmed their cheeks and gave them better cheekbone definition.

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Other reported benefits -

Some people have also reported other benefits of mewing, such as reduced jaw pain, improved breathing, and fewer orthodontic issues.

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Potential side effects -

Again, however, there is no proper research to substantiate these claims. In fact, many doctors even advise against mewing since it may cause harm to your mouth and jaw.

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Damage to teeth -

According to these medical professionals, keeping your teeth pressed together during the mewing process can cause damage to the enamel.

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Pain -

Furthermore, maintaining your tongue and jaw in an unnatural position may cause neck and jaw pain, as well as result in the misalignment of your teeth.

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Alternatives to mewing -

If you are looking to improve the appearance of your jaw, but you think that mewing may not be for you, there are a number of other techniques you can try.

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Gua sha -

Firstly, you may like try to gua sha. This is a traditional Chinese healing practice that involves scraping a stone tool, usually made of jade or rose quartz, across your skin.

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Gua sha -

The aim with gua sha, which translates as "scraping away illness," is to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain.

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Face massage -

Another similar technique would be a traditional face massage. You can either give yourself a face massage at home, or treat yourself to one from a professional.

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Face massage -

If massaging your face at home, be sure to move your fingers upwards and outwards in a circular motion. Since you are trying to lift your face, you shouldn’t pull the skin down.

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Chin mask -

You may also like to try a chin mask, or "jaw bra," which is basically like a face mask that sits underneath your chin and hooks around your ears.

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Chin mask -

They work by compressing your chin and reducing the amount of lymphatic fluid in the area. However, just like with mewing, the results are only temporary.

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Chin mask -

It is also worth noting that using a jaw bra too frequently can cause reduced muscle tone, which in turn will make your skin sag more.

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Consult a medical professional -

If you are looking to permanently improve the appearance of your jawline, the best thing to do is consult your dermatologist or orthodontist.

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Consult a medical professional -

Since most of the other methods are only temporary and may have unwanted side effects, professional advice is most often the best way to go.

Sources: (BBC) (WikiHow)

See also: Is TikTok dangerous?

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