Anyone who browsed social media platforms such as YouTube for skincare tips may have come across videos about facial exercise that claim to slow down or even reverse the effects of ageing. Some even claim to make you look slimmer and give your cheeks a healthy glow.
But do these techniques actually work or should we be subtly raising an eyebrow? Let’s find out!
What exactly are facial exercises?
You might correctly assume that physical exercise means cardio workouts that get your heart pumping and make you feel slightly out of breath, such as running, dancing, swimming or cycling. It could also mean weight and resistance training or even simply stretching your limbs and torso. But what about your face?
Well, the face has around 30 to 40 small muscles that control facial expressions such as smiling and frowning, blinking, raising the eyebrows, and so on. They are an important part of non-verbal communication, which is why some people who have had inexpertly applied anti-wrinkle treatment such as Botox can look rather frozen and unnatural.
But what about taking the opposite approach and deliberately moving these facial muscles rather than freezing them?
‘Face yoga’ instructors recommend pulling various poses and pouts (probably best done when you are alone…) to tone up your jawline, slim your cheeks, reduce under eye bags, and so on. They claim that by repeating these exercises for around 30 minutes six times a week, you can achieve a tighter jawline and a smoother and younger looking complexion.
What is the evidence that facial exercises work?
There has not so far been a significant body of research into the effectiveness of facial exercises as an anti-ageing treatment. However, according to Harvard Health, the research that does exist suggests that the effects would be very subtle if they were noticeable at all.
The muscles in the face are attached to our skin, so when we move them, the skin naturally stretches or wrinkles. Therefore, deliberately moving these muscles more than you would during the course of a normal day can actually lead to extra lines forming on your face.
This is probably something of relief to those of us who were wondering if we ought to find an extra 30 minutes in the day to devote to exercising our facial muscles.
So what is the best way to improve your complexion?
The condition of our skin is a reflection of our general state of health and lifestyle. However, it’s impossible to completely prevent the effects of ageing, because as we get older we naturally produce less collagen, which is the protein that helps to maintain the elasticity and suppleness of the skin.
Certain creams that contain retinol can help to boost collagen production and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. If you would like to take a more in-depth approach to your skincare, you could consider a salon treatment such as a cosmelan peel. This provides a deep level of exfoliation that boosts skin cell turnover and stimulates collagen production.
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