What is face yoga?
Face yoga is a set of facial exercises that are intended to help reduce the signs of aging, relax facial tension, and improve facial muscle tone. The exercises are inspired by yoga poses and aim to apply the principles of yoga to the face. Some common face yoga exercises include making exaggerated facial expressions, massaging the face, and holding the face in certain positions.
What are the claimed benefits of face yoga?
Proponents of face yoga claim that regular practice can provide a variety of benefits including:
- Reducing wrinkles and fine lines
- Lifting and toning sagging facial muscles
- Improving facial blood circulation
- Relieving facial tension and pain
- Helping achieve a more youthful, glowing appearance
By strengthening and stretching the facial muscles, face yoga is said to counteract some of the effects of aging and gravity on the face. Certain exercises are targeted at specific problem areas like crow’s feet, forehead lines, and jowls. Overall, supporters believe face yoga promotes facial rejuvenation in a natural, holistic manner.
What does the science say about face yoga?
There has been limited scientific research on the effectiveness of face yoga. A few small studies have produced some promising results:
- A 2020 study in the journal Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology looked at 27 women ages 40-60 practicing face yoga exercises for 8 weeks. They found statistically significant improvements in facial elasticity, facial volume, wrinkles, and facial muscle tone.
- A 2018 study in JAMA Dermatology had middle-aged women practice a face yoga program for 20 weeks. The face yoga group showed significant improvements in facial lines and wrinkles compared to the control group.
- A 2016 study in Skin Research and Technology had women ages 40-60 do face yoga for 8 weeks. They experienced noticeable improvements in muscle thickness, elasticity and firmness.
While these preliminary studies are encouraging, experts say more rigorous, large-scale studies are needed to truly determine face yoga’s effects. Overall the current evidence is weak, but seems to suggest face yoga may provide some skin anti-aging and muscle conditioning benefits.
How often should you practice face yoga?
Most experts recommend practicing face yoga exercises about 5-15 minutes per day, 5 days a week. Consistency seems to be key in obtaining results. Trying to commit to a daily face yoga routine is ideal. But 2-3 times per week can still be helpful. Some general face yoga frequency guidelines include:
- Beginners: 5 minutes per day, 3-5 days per week
- Intermediate: 10 minutes per day, at least 5 days per week
- Advanced: 15 minutes per day, 5-7 days per week
Make sure to give your facial muscles rest at least 1-2 days per week. Exercising them every single day is likely unnecessary and could cause strain. Listen to your body’s limits.
When should you expect to see results from face yoga?
Most sources suggest it takes around 8-10 weeks of consistent face yoga practice to start noticing noticeable results. However, our faces are always changing with age, lifestyle factors, and gravity. So face yoga becomes an ongoing process to help slow facial aging.
Here is a general timeline of when you may start observing face yoga’s effects:
- 2 weeks = a more relaxed, tension-free face
- 4 weeks = improved muscle tone, minimized eye bags/puffiness
- 8 weeks = firmer skin, fading of fine lines
- 12+ weeks = lifting of sagging skin, reduction in deeper wrinkles
Be patient, as dramatic anti-aging effects take time to appear. Take progress selfies to help gauge subtle changes month-to-month. The longer you stick with face yoga, the better results you will see.
What are some key face yoga exercises?
Here is an overview of 5 foundational face yoga exercises to include in your routine:
1. Forehead smoother
- Place all fingers at the middle of the forehead, applying light pressure
- Gently glide fingers outward towards the sides of the forehead
- Repeat 5-10 times
This helps smooth horizontal lines on the forehead.
2. Eyebrow raisers
- Use index and middle fingers to gently pinch above the eyebrows, near bridge of nose
- Pull the fingers up to lift the eyebrows as high as possible
- Hold for 5 seconds, then release back down
- Repeat 5-10 times
Helps reduce hooded eyelid appearance and lift the eyebrows.
3. Cheek lifters
- Place index fingers on top of cheekbones, below the eyes
- Firmly glide fingers outward over the cheeks towards the ears
- Repeat 5-10 times
Tones sagging cheek muscles and lifts jowls.
4. Lip pullers
- Place index fingers at the corners of the mouth
- Stretch fingers outward to pull the corners of the lips toward the ears
- Hold for 10 seconds, relax
- Repeat 5 times
Smooths vertical lip lines and plumps the lips.
5. Neck tighteners
- Drop chin down toward chest
- Turn head to look over left shoulder
- Hold for 10 seconds
- Turn head to look over right shoulder, hold for 10 seconds
- Bring head back to center
Helps tone neck muscles and smooth neck wrinkles.
Are there any precautions when starting face yoga?
It’s a good idea to take these precautions when beginning a face yoga practice:
- Start slowly – try basic exercises for short durations at first
- Be gentle – don’t tug or pull the skin aggressively
- Stop any exercise that causes pain or discomfort
- Avoid exercises if you have facial injuries, nerve conditions, or recent botox
- Remove eye contacts before practicing around the eyes
- Stay hydrated – drink lots of water before and after
- Consider consulting your doctor if you have particular medical conditions
When done carefully, face yoga is intended to be safe for all age groups. Pay attention to your body, ease into it, and don’t overdo the exercises.
Does face yoga provide as much benefit as cosmetic procedures?
Face yoga and cosmetic procedures like fillers, Botox, chemical peels, laser treatments, and facelifts are not equivalent in terms of effectiveness and results. Procedures like fillers and Botox provide more dramatic, immediate improvements in facial wrinkles. Whereas it takes weeks or months to notice subtle anti-aging benefits from face yoga.
However, face yoga is non-invasive with no side effects. Procedures require injections or lasers and have risks like pain, bruising, swelling, numbness, and even allergic reactions. Face yoga may help prolong the effects of cosmetic treatments by strengthening the facial muscles. But most dermatologists view face yoga as a maintenance approach, not a replacement for procedures when someone desires major facial rejuvenation.
Can face yoga be combined with skincare products?
Yes, face yoga can absolutely be combined with your regular skincare regimen. In fact, using products can help maximize face yoga’s effects. Here are some ways face yoga can be integrated with skincare:
- Cleanse skin before doing face yoga to remove oils, makeup, etc.
- Apply moisturizer after face yoga while skin is warm to improve absorption
- Use retinoids at night to increase cell turnover accelerated by face yoga
- Apply eye cream after eye-area face yoga exercises
- Exfoliate 2-3 times a week to slough off dead cells loosened by manipulation
- Use hydrating face mists during face yoga to keep skin flexible
- Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen during day to protect exercised skin
When coordinated properly, face yoga and quality skincare products can work synergistically to refresh your appearance.
What lifestyle factors complement face yoga?
Along with face yoga exercises and skincare, these healthy lifestyle habits also complement a facial rejuvenation routine:
- Balanced nutrition – Eat plenty of antioxidant and nutrient-dense foods. Stay hydrated.
- Adequate sleep – Strive for 7-9 hours per night to allow skin to fully regenerate.
- Stress management – Chronic stress takes a toll on our skin. Practice yoga, meditation, etc.
- Not smoking – Smoking restricts blood flow and accelerates skin aging.
- Sun protection – Shield skin from UV rays which break down collagen.
- Physical activity – Regular exercise improves circulation for a glowing complexion.
Caring for your overall health will provide the best foundation for face yoga and other anti-aging approaches to work optimally.
Conclusion
Face yoga offers a natural way to help counteract facial aging with targeted exercises designed to firm muscles and stimulate circulation. When practiced regularly over time, certain studies indicate face yoga can improve facial elasticity, tone, wrinkles, and volume. More research is still needed. But face yoga appears reasonably safe and cost-effective. While not necessarily a facelift in a bottle, face yoga can potentially help you maintain a fresher, more youthful appearance as part of your skincare regimen. As with starting any new workout routine, consult your physician if you have particular medical conditions before jumping on the face yoga bandwagon.