Regardless of how good your skincare routine is, most people
will develop frown lines, double chins, and crow's feet. Consider trying face
yoga to reduce the signs of facial aging before consulting your dermatologist
about a costly facelift or injections.
What Is Face Yoga?
Face yoga is a nonsurgical rejuvenation technique that uses
facial exercises, massage, and acupressure to reduce aging signs. Facial yoga
practitioners claim that the practice strengthens facial muscles and increases
blood circulation, reducing fine lines, creating a firmer jawline, and serving
as a non-surgical alternative to plastic surgery.
Does Face Yoga Work?
Face yoga results vary depending on the person and how
frequently the facial yoga poses are practiced. According to one 2018 study,
participants improved in upper and lower cheek fullness after twenty weeks of
daily practice. Other claimed advantages of face yoga include:
Increasing blood circulation: The massage aspect of facial
yoga promotes skin radiance by increasing blood flow throughout your face.
Improving lymphatic drainage: Acupressure and massage are
used as part of the face yoga process to promote lymphatic drainage and
puffiness reduction. Your lymph nodes serve as filters in your body, assisting
your immune system in fighting infection and inflammation.
Improving mental health: According to one 2018 study,
twice-weekly facial yoga classes improved the overall mental health, wellness,
and facial expressions of older people. Anecdotal evidence suggests that
positive emotion, relaxation, and sleep quality have improved.
Reducing TMJ symptoms: Teeth grinding and clenching are
symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), which causes jaw and facial
pain. Facial yoga stretches and relaxes the facial muscles, which helps to
alleviate TMJ symptoms.
Reducing signs of aging: Reduces wrinkles and fine lines,
firms neck skin, improves facial symmetry, lightens undereye circles, and
improves sagging, according to proponents of facial yoga.
3 Potential Risks of Face Yoga
Face yoga is generally safe, but you should avoid it in certain
situations. Before you begin your practice, consider the following potential
risks:
1. Acne: Touching your face can cause oil, dirt, and germs
to be deposited on your skin, clogging pores and resulting in acne breakouts.
Wash your hands and face thoroughly before touching your skin when practicing
face yoga. Learn how to wash your face properly.
2. Injury aggravation: If you have a facial injury, such as
a wound or a broken bone, face yoga may aggravate your symptoms. Allow all
injuries to heal before beginning facial exercises.
3. Skin disorder irritation: If you have a skin
condition like eczema or psoriasis, massaging and touching your face can
aggravate it. If you have a skin condition, consult a dermatologist before
practicing face yoga.
7 Face Yoga Exercises
Wash your hands and face thoroughly before beginning facial
yoga. You should not feel any pain or discomfort during the exercises, and you
may want to consider massaging your hands with an oil or balm. As part of your
skincare routine, incorporate the following activities:
1. Cheek lifter: Make a "O" with your mouth,
pull your upper lip over your teeth, and smile, then place your index fingers
on your cheek muscles under your eyes. Smile again, pushing your cheeks toward
your eyes as you relax your cheek muscles. Repeat ten times, then hold for
twenty seconds on the tenth repetition before repeating the series three times.
2. Cheek sculptor: Smile with your mouth closed and the
corners of your mouth pooching out until your lips begin to burn mildly. Slide
and push your index fingers into the corners of your mouth, up to your
cheekbones, against the muscle. Hold the muscle for twenty seconds while
smiling with the corners of your mouth, then repeat three times.
3. Crow's-feet fighter: Tilt your chin to your chest and make
an oval with your mouth, then look up with only your eyes until you feel a
stretch underneath the eye. Hold for three seconds before bringing the upper
lip into the mouth and making a "ahh" facial expression. Repeat as
needed, as overstretching can exacerbate eye wrinkles.
4. Double chin slimmer: Maintaining a relaxed posture,
lean back with your chin pointed toward the ceiling and alternate between
making duck lips and sticking out your tongue for five seconds. Make certain
that your neck is taut. Rep three times more.
5. Forehead smoother: Place your index and middle fingers on
your forehead near your hairline, then press and slide your fingers down to
your brows while lifting them up. Hold for ten seconds while taking deep
breaths. Repeat three times, each time holding for twenty seconds.
6. Firmer jowls and sagging cheeks: Pull your mouth and nose
to one side with pursed lips. Hold for ten seconds before repeating on the
other side. Rep three to five times more.
7. Smile line smoother: Insert your tongue between your
nose and the top of your smile line. Make five small circles with your tongue,
first clockwise, then counterclockwise, against the smile line. Rep the line on
the other side of your mouth.
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