We are aware of the advantages regular exercise has for our health, including how it increases blood flow. However, have you ever heard of a face workout? It’s a concept that’s gaining popularity with folks trying to prevent (or reverse) those obstinate crow’s feet. wellhealthorganic.com:facial-fitness-anti-aging-facial-exercises-to-look-younger-every-day
Some people call it “face exercise.” Some people call it to face yoga.
And some people are questioning it.
We talked to massage therapist Vickie Bodner, LMT, and dermatologist Shilpi Khetarpal, MD, to learn more about the advantages of moving your face.
Are facial exercises effective?
Recent studies examined whether people might tone their facial muscles and look younger by performing specific activities. The outcomes are in, but they’re not quite conclusive.
A small sample of women in the study who were 40 years of age or older were asked to commit some time each day to a series of facial exercises. The goal of the workouts was to lessen wrinkles, fill in hollow cheeks, and other aging symptoms. With these workouts, the underlying muscles in the cheeks, jawline, neck, eyelids, and eyebrows were strengthened and developed.
The study found that after the treatment, participants looked around three years younger.
Awesome! Please register me for some face yoga. It might not be so easy after all.
“This study was the first to look at facial exercises and the appearance of aging,” claims Dr. Khetarpal. “Keep in mind that it’s a small group of highly motivated participants who were willing to do 30 minutes of facial exercises daily when evaluating the results.”
30 minutes of your time are spent moving your face? each day? That’s a big ask.
“Unless someone is highly motivated, it’s hard to sustain these facial exercises over a long period and achieve these results,” Dr. Khetarpal observes.
She continues by saying that more extensive research is required before dermatologists can endorse face exercises as an effective anti-aging treatment. Future research must include a control group, a much bigger participant pool, and longer-term investigations to see whether the advantages persisted after people stopped the program.
Advantages of face massaging
Even a brief face massage can have some significant advantages for individuals who don’t have the time to commit to a daily face exercise routine (especially if it isn’t a proven winner). While occasionally giving your face a mild massage may not instantly make your laugh lines disappear, Bodner claims it can offer your skin a healthy boost.
“Anytime you bring blood flow into an area, it gets your capillaries (blood vessels) moving, which can promote a relaxation of the muscles and get fluids moving,” the expert says. “People occasionally get sinus or under-eye puffiness. It could be beneficial to self-massage your face to get rid of extra fluids.
Your face can be massaged to:
- Relax the muscles in your face.
- Relax and unwind.
- Encourage the circulation of blood that makes your face “glow.”
Furthermore, releasing stress looks amazing on just about everyone, and let’s face it, sometimes a massage just feels so nice.
How to give a facial massage
Wash your hands and face before massaging your face. If you don’t have any lotion or oil on hand, it is not required to apply them.
First, activate your lymphatic system.
1. To relax your face and body, close your eyes and take a few long, deep breaths (in through your nose, out through your mouth).
2. At the base of your neck, position your hands.
3. Sweep your hands between your neck and collarbone, applying mild pressure as you progressively lower them towards your midline.
4. Three times, please.
According to Bodner, “This will aid in stimulating your lymphatic system, potentially allowing for the drainage of toxins.” Near the skin, is the lymphatic system. You don’t have to press strongly. Pressure won’t be necessary to start things off.
5. One note of caution: Face massage isn’t recommended if you have redness, open sores, or bruising on your face. Consult a medical expert if you’re unsure about whether getting a facial massage is good for you.
Follow this step-by-step facial massage
Face massages can be performed whenever, whenever. Dedicate as much time as you’d like, either executing the next actions as a series or on their own if you’re tight for time. For the best relaxation and rejuvenation, complete each exercise up to three times before moving on to the next.
1. Gently sweep your hands up from just above your jawline towards your earlobes while keeping your fingertips close to your chin.
2. From your chin to the base of your earlobes, lightly pinch with your thumb and index finger down your jawline.
3. Massage your TMJ (the joint where your jaw meets your cheekbones) in a circular motion with your mouth closed and your jaw relaxed. Try it a couple of times clockwise, then anticlockwise.
4. At the base of your nostrils, place your fingers on either side of your nose. Then, draw a circle across or just above your brows, under your cheekbones, up to your temples, and down either side of your nose. Your eyes will be completely encircled by this. Try it the other way as well by working your way up the sides of your nose from the bottom of your nostrils.
5. Gently and carefully rub your temples in little circles. Try it a couple of times clockwise, then anticlockwise.