20th December 2025 – (Guangzhou) A master glassblower with more than three decades of experience has developed pronounced hypertrophy and deformation of his facial muscles after years of high‑intensity, cheek‑inflating work. He told mainland media that “blowing glass every day with great force gradually stretched the cheek muscles,” and that his cheeks now balloon “like a pair of air sacs” whenever he exhales forcefully.
Despite public attention and nicknames, the artisan maintains an upbeat, humorous outlook. “Some say I look like a frog — I just tell them I’ve mastered ‘toad kung fu’,” he joked, adding that he has long grown accustomed to the condition. He recalled suffering muscle strains and soreness earlier in his career. “Sometimes it hurts, but over time you just carry on,” he said.
Doctors note that prolonged, repetitive forceful blowing can indeed cause facial muscle enlargement and structural changes, a common occupational overuse injury. Severe cases may involve pain, swelling and even functional limitation. They urge practitioners to have regular check‑ups, take adequate rest and make use of assistive tools to reduce strain.
Many netizens expressed both admiration and sympathy: “At first it seems amusing, but then it’s just heartbreaking,” one wrote. Another added, “This is true craftsmanship — we hope new technology can ease the burden on these masters.”
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