Zygo Pulling Tutorial

If you could sculpt your face like you sculpt your body—without surgery—would you try it?

That’s the promise behind a new wave of natural “looksmaxxing” methods. You’ve probably seen mewing (tongue-to-palate posture) on TikTok or Reddit.

Now there’s growing buzz around zygo pulling—a hands-on cheekbone technique you can learn in minutes. It’s low-cost, beginner-friendly, and when done properly, it can make your midface look more lifted and defined.

In this guide, I’ll explain what zygo pulling is, how to do it, how it compares to mewing and thumb pulling, the benefits and risks, and exactly how to combine it with other exercises for the best results. I’ll share real evidence where it exists—and where it doesn’t—so you can decide confidently.

By the way, if you would rather skip the long read or do not feel like getting into all the technical details, there is an easier option. You can take the quick quiz below and get a personalized face workout plan that shows you which techniques (possibly including zygo pulling) are the best fit for you. It includes clear guidance, practical tips, and ways to stay consistent, so you can start right away without overthinking it.

What Is Zygo Pulling? (Meaning)

Zygo pulling (sometimes called zygo lateral pulling) is an intraoral cheekbone technique. Using clean thumbs or fingers, you apply gentle upward-outward pressure under the zygomatic arch (your cheekbone ridge) from inside your mouth. Think of it as a targeted cheek lift massage aimed at improving cheek contour, reducing puffiness, and potentially making cheekbones appear higher and more prominent over time. The method evolved in online looksmax communities and short-form videos; exact hand positions vary, but the consistent theme is up-and-out pressure beneath the cheekbone—never on your teeth.

Does Zygo Pulling Work? (Effectiveness & what it actually does)

There’s no randomized clinical trial proving “zygo pulling” alone reshapes adult facial bones. But related evidence supports why it can help your cheek appearance:

• Facial exercises can meaningfully influence mid-cheek fullness and youthful appearance. In a study published in JAMA Dermatology, a 20-week program of facial exercises made participants appear younger, with fuller upper and lower cheeks, as rated by dermatologists. (PMC, Northwestern Now)
• Facial massage can produce measurable soft-tissue changes. A CT-imaging pilot found that a single session led to cranial (upward) shift and thinning of the cheeks—consistent with a lifted, de-puffed look. (PMC)
• Buccal (intraoral) massage—a professional cousin of zygo pulling—is used by facialists and discussed by dermatologists for tension relief, lymphatic drainage, and facial sculpting. (Marie Claire)

The most realistic expectation: zygo pulling delivers soft-tissue wins—de-puffing (lymph flow), fascia release (better tissue glide), and muscle tone support—that make cheekbones look more defined. In other words, it changes how the face drapes over your cheekbones. For some people, this can even contribute to a more hollow-cheek look that emphasizes facial definition. That’s valuable, even if skeletal change is limited in adults.

Bottom line: Zygo pulling is real as a technique and can visibly improve cheek contour for many people, especially when combined with mewing. Its bone-moving power in adults remains unproven—so focus on consistent soft-tissue improvements first.

Zygo Pulling Tutorial: How to Do It (Step-by-step)

1. Prep: Wash hands thoroughly; trim nails. Sit upright before a mirror with good light.
2. Find the ridge: Slide thumbs (or clean index fingers) along the inner cheek under the cheekbone ridge (zygomatic arch). Avoid your teeth/gums.
3. Pressure & motion: Apply gentle, sustained upward-outward pressure. Add small, comfortable circular kneads along the arc—1–3 minutes per side.
4. Relaxed jaw & nasal breathing: Keep the jaw relaxed; breathe through your nose.
5. Symmetry: Match time and force on both sides.
6. Frequency: Start 3–4×/week; if no soreness, progress to daily.
7. Aftercare: Rinse. Then practice mewing (tongue-to-palate) for 5–10 minutes to “set” soft tissues in a lifted posture.

Safety: It should never be painful and should never press on teeth. If you have TMJ issues, braces, recent dental/surgical procedures, or active oral lesions, talk to a professional before trying intraoral techniques.

Benefits & Results: What to Expect (Before & After)

• De-puffing / lymphatic drainage → a more sculpted midface, often visible right after a session and lasting hours to a day.
• Fascia release & mobility → better tissue glide over the cheekbone, contributing to a higher-set look. (Supported indirectly by massage literature and buccal-massage practice.)
• Muscle tone support → facial exercise studies show fuller cheeks and a younger appearance with consistent training over weeks.
• Symmetry practice → working both sides evenly can reduce asymmetry over time (habits + tissue changes). TIP: if you’re struggling with facial imbalance, see our guide on how to fix uneven cheeks for targeted strategies.

Timeline:

• Immediate: reduced puffiness, slight lift (soft-tissue).
• Weeks–months: more reliable contour and definition with consistency—especially when combined with mewing. The synergy between these two techniques is what really compounds progress: zygo pulling gives you the soft-tissue lift, while mewing reinforces the upward support. This combination is exactly what underpins many of the most impressive real-world results—check out our gallery of before and after transformations from over 50,000 app users who consistently applied these methods.

Tip: Take weekly same-light, same-angle progress photos. Track a simple bloat score (0–10) and your mewing minutes/day. It keeps you honest and shows progress.

And beyond aesthetics, some people notice that improved cheek definition and posture also raise their perceived attractiveness. In looksmaxxing terms, zygo pulling can contribute to improving your PSL scale rating, especially when paired with mewing and other posture habits.

How Zygo Pulling Compares (Mewing & Thumb Pulling)

Mewing (tongue posture):

• What it is: Low-force, all-day upward pressure on the palate; posture-first.
• Pros: Free, safe, whole-face posture benefits.
• Cons: Adult structural change is debated; progress is slow.

Thumb pulling (intraoral facepull):

• What it is: Using thumbs to pull the midface forward.
• Pros: Targets forward projection (for flat cheekbones).
• Cons: Uneven/overforce risks; entirely anecdotal; avoid pressure on teeth.

Zygo pulling (this guide):

• What it is: Upward-outward cheekbone pressure/massage.
• Pros: Clear de-puffing, soft-tissue lift; pairs beautifully with mewing. For those wondering about genetic variation, zygo pulling may accentuate high cheekbones vs. low cheekbones—making natural bone structure stand out more. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “why are my cheekbones so big?” this section breaks down how bone structure, fat distribution, and posture influence your look.
• Cons: No formal trials; results vary; must be gentle and symmetrical.

Best practice: Combine zygo pulling (for soft-tissue lift & cheek definition) with mewing (for sustained upward support). Add chewing hygiene (nasal breathing, upright posture, mindful chewing) and sleep posture. This holistic stack compounds small wins.

Is It Safe?

In principle, zygo pulling is like a targeted intraoral massage. When you apply gentle, non-painful pressure, avoid teeth, and keep things hygienic, risk is low. Professional sources discussing buccal massage note tension relief, circulation, and lymphatic drainage benefits; the big caveat is to avoid overpressure or doing it if you have active dental issues, recent surgery, or TMJ dysfunction. If something hurts or feels wrong, stop and consult a clinician.

The (Actual) Science—And Where It’s Thin

• Strongest adjacent evidence:
  • JAMA Dermatology: facial exercises improved appearance with fuller cheeks, judged by dermatologists after 20 weeks. (PMC)
  • CT-based pilot: facial massage caused upward shift and thinning of cheeks—quantified changes after a single session. (PMC)
• Skeptic voices (re: mewing evidence in adults) caution against bold structural claims; take that conservative stance doubly for DIY pushing methods. That’s why we focus on safe technique and soft-tissue improvements first.

Common Mistakes (and fast fixes)

• Pushing on teeth: never. Pressure goes on mucosa under the cheekbone, not incisors/molars.
• Too hard, too soon: think massage, not max-force.
• Asymmetry: mirror your timing and force.
• Inconsistency: 2–3 minutes, most days, beats a single hard session.
• Skipping mewing: pair zygo pulls with mewing to reinforce upward support.

Your 10-Minute Starter Routine (Looksmaxxing stack)

• 2–3 min: Zygo pulls (gentle upward-outward massage under cheekbones).
• 5–10 min: Mewing (firm tongue-to-palate focus; lips sealed, nasal breathing).
• 1–2 min: Jaw/neck posture check (chin tuck + tall spine).
• Daily habits: Hydration, low-salt evenings, nasal breathing at night → less morning bloat.

Pro move: Track selfie progress weekly under the same lighting. The changes are subtle at first; consistency compounds.

Ready to personalize it?

Not sure which technique your face needs most? Take our free 60-second quiz to get a customized plan for your cheeks, jawline, and posture. Then use the Mewing.coach app to follow video tutorials, get timed routines, set reminders, and track progress—so you actually stick with it and stay safe.

• Start with the quiz → get your personalized face workout plan
• Open the app → follow guided zygo pulling + mewing sessions
• Track selfies weekly → watch your face tighten, lift, and define over time

You don’t need perfect genetics or pricey procedures. With your thumbs, your tongue, and your consistency, you can start reshaping how your face presents—today.

Sources & notes (key references)

• Facial exercises → cheek fullness & younger appearance (20 weeks): JAMA Dermatology study + Northwestern University summary. (PMC, Northwestern Now)
• CT-imaged massage → cheeks shift upward/thinner after one session: Skin Research & Technology pilot (Okuda et al., 2022). (PMC)
• Buccal (intraoral) massage benefits (derm quotes, lymph/contour): Marie Claire features (2024/2025). (Marie Claire)