Most of us are interested in smoothing fine lines and relaxing the deeper wrinkles on our faces. Many people use lotions or serums. Some will turn to Botox, fillers or surgery. And now, more and more are beginning to rely on exercise!
Face yoga is a series of exercises to relax and tone muscles. Proponents say targeted facial expressions can prevent (or even reverse) wrinkles and sagging because you’re relaxing your face instead of making contorted, tension-filled expressions.
Relaxing the muscles in your jaw, brow and forehead — places where many people typically hold tension — can counteract the wrinkle-causing grimaces. When you add in pressure from your fingertips, it’s similar to incorporating weights with regular exercise, and it can further tone and strengthen those facial muscles.
Advocates say the exercises work the hypodermis or the lower layer of the skin, which increases blood circulation and allows more oxygen and nourishment to reach the skin cells. In as soon as two weeks, you may start to see improvement. And over time, you can expect clear, glowing, healthy complexion, as well as smoother, less saggy skin.
If you’re ready to give it a go, here are 10 face yoga poses to potentially help lift, firm, tone and reduce wrinkles.
- Brow Smoother: Make your eyes as wide as you can, and hold that position until your eyes start to water. Repeat five times.
- Horizontal Line Remover: Place both hands inward on the forehead with fingers spread between the eyebrows and hairline. Apply light pressure, release and repeat 10 times.
- The V: Apply gentle pressure with your middle and index fingers at the inner corner of the eyebrows. Look to the ceiling, squint hard and then relax. Repeat six times to improve drooping eyelids and eye bags.
- Fly Away Crow’s Feet: Lift your lower lid gently, and then add fingertip pressure in the outer crease of the crow’s feet. Make sure you moisturize first, and don’t drag or pull the skin.
- Eye De-Hollower: Put your index finger under each eye, pointing toward your nose. Open your mouth side while covering all your teeth with your lips. Look up and flutter your eyelids rapidly for 30 seconds.
- Cheek Firmer: Puff your cheeks out like a bullfrog for more tone, lifted, plump cheeks. Repeat 10 times.
- Nasal Labial Lift: Smile with teeth showing and press your fingertips between your nose and lips. Lift the muscles up and press your fingertips down
- Smile Smoother: Hide your teeth with your lips and make an O-shape with your mouth. Then smile widely with teeth still hidden. Repeat six times.
- Double Chin Remover: Press your tongue to the roof of your mouth, smile and swallow hard with your chin pointing at the ceiling to prevent chin and neck sagging.
- Neck Massage: Jut out your lower lip as far as you can. Place your finger tips on your neck and lightly stroke the skin downwards with your head tilted back.
Experts recommend you do face yoga for 20 minutes, six times a week for best results.