The truth about the effect of preventing facial aging

Recently, the way of using straws on one side has been spread by many young people on social networks. So what is the reason for this practice, is it good or bad?

Using a straw on one side reduces facial wrinkles?

“Sideways” refers to placing the straw to one side of the mouth and pursing the lips (not pursing the mouth) to suck the drink, which is gaining popularity among many people, especially young people. It is known that this is the way many singers and celebrities use straws.

Ms. Bui Ngoc Anh Thu (21 years old, in Tan Phu district, Ho Chi Minh City) has changed her habit of using a normal straw to this "new" way.

ống hút lệch một bên — How to suck without pursed mouth

Ms. Thu shared: “Because I heard from friends and information on social networks that sucking like this will limit wrinkles around the mouth in the future, so I followed it. When I first did it, I wasn't used to it, but now I've switched to this way of sucking. I don't know if it reduces wrinkles or not, but it looks cute, and it also helps prevent lipstick from fading...”.

Ms. Do Giao Nhi (21 years old, in Phu Nhuan district, Ho Chi Minh City) also believes that placing the straw to one side of the mouth and pursing the lips also brings benefits: "At first, I didn't believe it much, just tried it out for the experience, then I felt that this method helped my mouth muscles to be less tense."

On the other hand, there are still many people who know about this "trend" but do not follow it, even thinking that it can cause many harmful effects such as crooked mouth, crooked face, difficulty in sucking drinks compared to the traditional way... Many emerging opinions have the potential to cause confusion, create a sense of ambiguity, and doubt for the public interested in this issue.

There is no scientific evidence to prevent aging.

According to Master - Doctor Nguyen Thi Quy, Traditional Medicine Dermatology - Aesthetics Clinic, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City - Facility 3, sucking on a straw is a complex action, involving the coordination of many muscles on the face, including the main muscle groups:

Cách dùng ống hút lệch một bên: Thực hư công dụng ngăn ngừa lão hóa cơ mặt- Ảnh 2. — Facial muscle aging is caused by many factors such as UV rays, frequent and prolonged facial muscle movements.

Orbicularis oris: Surrounds the mouth, contracts to create force and negative pressure in the mouth, helping to suck in liquids.

Buccinator: Located deep in the cheek, between the upper and lower jaws, aids in sucking by pressing the cheek against the teeth, preventing the cheek from puffing out when drinking.

Zygomaticus major and minor: Extend from the cheekbone to the corner of the mouth. Their role is to slightly elevate the corners of the mouth, assisting in holding the straw in place.

Levator labii superioris: Pulls down from the cheekbone and nose to the upper lip. Its role is to lift the upper lip to hold the straw in place.

Masseter and Temporalis: Located on the side of the face and temple. Their role is to keep the jaw stable while other muscles work to suck.

Mentalis: Located just below the lower lip, at the chin. Its role is to contract slightly to control the movement of the lower lip while sucking.

When sucking on a straw, the orbicularis oris muscle contracts to close the lips, creating negative pressure. At the same time, the cheek muscles work to reduce the air in the mouth, creating suction. Other muscles such as the zygomaticus and levator labii superioris hold the straw in place. The mandibular and temporal muscles ensure a stable jaw position.

Regarding the effects of “sideways suction”, Dr. Quy said: “There is no scientific evidence to prove that sucking on a straw sideways, without pursing the mouth, will help prevent aging of the mouth and cheeks. These rumors may stem from the notion that excessive use of the mouth muscles (such as pursing the mouth strongly) can create wrinkles around the mouth (smoker's lines). However, sucking on a straw, in any way, only has a very small impact on the facial muscles and is not enough to make a noticeable difference in aging.”

Facial aging is the result of many factors such as loss of collagen and elastin, muscle atrophy and loss of subcutaneous fat, skin damage from UV rays, environmental pollution, repetitive facial expressions (pursing the mouth, frowning, smoking), lack of skin and facial muscle care... Therefore, both methods of suction do not have a great impact on preventing or causing aging. However, sucking on a straw too much, especially with strong force and frequently, can put additional pressure on the orbicularis oris.

“If done too often and for too long, the mouth-pursing movement can form dynamic wrinkles (due to repetitive muscle movements, like wrinkles caused by frowning or smiling). Meanwhile, placing the straw on one side and sucking without pursing the mouth will reduce pressure on the orbicularis oris muscle. However, the suction force can create uneven muscle tension in the cheek or mouth areas, but the level of impact is insignificant,” Dr. Quy added.