Image: sean Kong
Whether we like it or not, our skin would age. The good news is, there is a way to delay this process. Forget about Botox and surgery; there is a non-invasive way of doing it – facial exercise.
What is facial exercise?
Facial exercise, which is also known as facial toning and facial yoga, is a popular method of skin rejuvenation. Proponents of this method claim that by ‘working out’ our facial muscles, we can change our facial contours such as increase our facial muscle tone and volume.
This is not an entirely new concept. In fact, it was believed that Cleopatra and the Empress of the Imperial Court in China have used facial exercise in order to maintain their youthful appearance. However, it was only in the 1950s that the practice of facial yoga started to propagate.
How does facial exercise make you look younger?
A number of fitness celebrities have been endorsing facial exercise as a way of reversing skin aging. But do these exercises really work?
Some doctors, especially plastic surgeons, are not convinced that these facial movements actually help in preventing or minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. According to them, working the facial muscles may actually emphasize those deep lines such as crow’s feet and frown lines.
Cynthia Rowland, the creator of Facial Magic, has a different take on it. According to her, facial exercise works and the key to achieving desired results is through contracting the right facial muscles. In her practice, Rowland teaches her students isometric techniques that contract the muscles. These techniques help in creating muscle contractions to lift the face.
For Rowland, facial exercise works because the facial muscles are attached to the skin. When you contract the muscles, you are forcing oxygenated blood into the skin’s tissues, making them look plump again.
People who have tried facial exercise also claim that it works. You can find a lot of people in discussion boards/forums who are saying that facial yoga works for them.
10-Minute Facial Exercise Routine
Facial exercises are best done in a place and time where and when you are fully relaxed and free from any form of distraction.
Unlike other methods for reversing skin aging, it doesn’t take too long to do the facial exercise. In fact, you can do several techniques even if you only have 10 minutes to spare each day. Below are examples of facial exercise techniques that you can do in that short amount of time.
For the forehead
For best result, apply a small amount of moisturizer on your forehead and your fingertips.
- Place both of your hands on your forehead, with your fingers spread out between your eyebrows and hairline. Applying mild pressure, gently sweep your fingers outwards across your forehead. Relax and repeat this for 10 times.
- Staring straight ahead, pull your forehead tight (imagine that you’re trying to bring it on top of your head). Hold this position for 10 seconds then repeat.
For the eyes
- Close your eyes then raise your eyebrows as far as you can. Relax and then repeat.
- Place both of your middle fingers at the inner corner of your eyebrow. With your index fingers, apply gentle pressure to the outer corners of your eyebrow. While your fingers are at this position, look at the ceiling and raise your lower eyelid. Relax and repeat this for 6 times.
For the cheeks
- Smile as hard as you can while having your fingers on top of your cheekbones. Hold your grin while you push as hard as you can. Relax for few seconds and then repeat.
- Puff out your cheeks as much as you can and then tap them for 30 seconds. Relax and then repeat.
For the neck
Keep your neck in a neutral position by looking straight ahead. Turn your head to the right, making sure that your chin is in line with your shoulder then gently tilt it backward. Hold this position for 30 seconds before returning to the neutral position and repeating this to the other side.
Facial exercise is a simple yet effective way of preventing and minimizing fine lines and other signs of skin aging on your face. Try it for yourself and see how your 10-minute facial exercise routine can make a difference.