The lengths people are willing to go to own a pair of plumped（丰满的） cheeks and a line-free complexion² are well-documented, but a new Japanese gadget could trump³ even the wackiest gizmo（小发明） out there.

 

Named the Face Slimmer, it claims that to 'maintain the perfect visage, you don't need to go under the surgeon's knife'.

 

It goes on to explain that the device, costing £40 ($61), is a simple solution to the 'timeless problem of how to give sagging⁴（下垂） facial skin and muscles that need a much-needed daily lift'.

 

Users are advised to insert the mouthpiece and make mouth movements with it for three minutes a day.

 

To get the best results the instructions say 'to make vowel⁵ sounds out loud over and over again'.

 

And they suggest that you can do the exercises anywhere - 'when looking in the mirror or when you're in the bath'.

 

By carrying out the daily face workout, the manufacturers claim that a person strengthens what they describe as the '12 expression muscles'.

 

Japan Trend Shop even suggests that the mouth movements can eliminate wrinkles around the eyes.

 

They say that the device works by providing the facial muscles with extra load, 'forcing everything to work a bit harder and resulting in more youthful, vibrant⁶ faces'.

 

The product is not alone in its oddness, with the Japanese company offering other bizarre contraptions that claim to help reduce sagging jowls and improve face shape.

 

The Kuwaete Sukkiri Tongue Exerciser is an 'anti-flab muscle mouthpiece' that works in a similar way to the Face Slimmer.

 

By sticking your tongue in and out of the grapefruit-scented gadget, it works to 'fight sagging cheeks' and 'improve the faceline'.

 

Another, more sinister⁷ looking, face-slimming product on the website is the BB-Sports Bodymaker Face Slimmer Mask.

 

The product description admits it 'looks a little bit like the costume the baddie wears in a science fiction film (or the cool mask of a supple⁸ ninja!)'.

 

It supposedly works by creating a sauna on your face to tighten⁹ the cheeks and chin.

 

By heating up the skin on the face it 'boosts circulation' and in turn 'produces a sauna effect on the face, tightening¹⁰ your cheeks and chin as you sweat'.

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