Face Yoga Exercises: Does Face Yoga Work?

Face yoga is a nonsurgical rejuvenation technique that utilizes facial exercises, massage, and acupressure to reduce the signs of aging. Facial yoga practitioners claim facial yoga strengthens facial muscles and increases blood circulation, reducing fine lines, creating a firmer jawline, and providing an alternative to plastic surgery.

Face yoga results vary, depending on the person and how frequently you practice the facial yoga poses. One 2018 study showed that after twenty weeks of daily practice, participants improved in upper and lower cheek fullness. Some of the other touted benefits of face yoga include:

• Boosting blood circulation: The massage aspect of facial yoga increases blood flow throughout your face, promoting skin radiance.
• Improving lymphatic drainage: Part of the process of face yoga includes acupressure and massage, which promotes lymphatic drainage and a reduction in puffiness. The lymph nodes in your body act as filters, helping your immune system fight infection and inflammation.
• Improving mental health: In one 2018 study, facial yoga improved the overall mental health, wellness, and facial expressions of older people who practiced twice-weekly facial yoga classes. Anecdotal reports claim an improvement in positive emotion, relaxation, and sleep quality.
• Improving TMJ symptoms: Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) causes teeth grinding and clenching, leading to jaw and facial pain. Facial yoga stretches and relaxes the facial muscles, improving TMJ symptoms.
• Reducing signs of aging: Proponents of facial yoga claim it smooths wrinkles and fine lines, firms the neck skin, improves facial symmetry, lightens undereye circles, and improves sagging.

Though generally safe, you may not want to practice face yoga under certain conditions. Consider these potential risks before beginning your practice:

1. 1. Acne: Touching your face can deposit oil, dirt, and germs on your skin, clogging pores and causing acne breakouts. Whenever you practice face yoga, wash your hands and face thoroughly before touching your skin. Learn how to properly wash your face.
2. 2. Injury aggravation: Face yoga may worsen your symptoms if you have a facial injury, such as a wound or a broken bone. Let all injuries heal before practicing facial exercises.
3. 3. Skin disorder irritation: If you have a skin disorder, such as eczema or psoriasis, massaging and touching your face can exacerbate your condition. Consult a dermatologist before practicing face yoga if you have a skin condition.

Before beginning facial yoga, wash your hands and face thoroughly. You should not experience pain or discomfort during the exercises, and you may consider applying an oil or balm to your hands for smooth massaging. Try the following activities as a part of your skincare routine:

1. 1. Cheek lifter: Open your mouth into an “O,” pull your upper lip over your teeth and smile, then place your index fingers on your cheek muscles under your eyes. Release your cheek muscles, then smile again, pushing your cheeks toward your eyes. Repeat ten times, and on the tenth repetition, hold for twenty seconds; then repeat the series three times.
2. 2. Cheek sculptor: Smile with your mouth closed and with the corners of your mouth, pooching your lips out until it starts to burn mildly. Press index fingers into the corners of your mouth, sliding and pushing against the muscle up to your cheekbones. Hold the muscle up for twenty seconds, continuing to smile with the corners of your mouth, then repeat three times.
3. 3. Crow’s-feet fighter: With shoulders back and loose, 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, then pull the upper lip into the mouth and make an “ahh” facial expression. Do not repeat, as overstretching can worsen eye wrinkles.
4. 4. Double chin slimmer: Keeping your shoulders relaxed, lean your head back, with your chin pointed toward the ceiling, and alternate between making duck lips and sticking out your tongue, holding each position for five seconds. Make sure your neck remains taut. Repeat three times.
5. 5. Forehead smoother: Place your index and middle fingers of both hands on your forehead by your hairline, then press and slide your fingers down to your eyebrows while lifting your eyebrows up. Hold for ten seconds while breathing deeply. Repeat three times, holding the last time for twenty seconds.
6. 6. Saggy cheek and jowl firmer: Pull your mouth and nose to one side with pursed lips. Hold for ten seconds, then repeat toward the other side. Repeat three to five times.
7. 7. Smile line smoother: Stick your tongue inside your mouth by your nose against the top of your smile line. Make five small circles with your tongue against the smile line, first clockwise, then counterclockwise. Repeat on the line on the opposite side of your mouth.

Proper form and technique are essential to ensure the safety and effectiveness of a yoga practice. If you have a previous or preexisting health condition, consult your physician before practicing yoga. You can always modify postures based on your individual needs.

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