The face is a complex network of muscles, and all muscles can be exercised. Strengthening the muscles of the face will give a firm and toned look. Increased circulation is another benefit. Besides adding a rosy glow, improved circulation gets more blood, oxygen and nutrients to the skin, enabling cellular repair. Facial exercises are a combination of yoga, isometric and resistance exercise. Just 10 minutes twice a day will strengthen and tone your face muscles.
Satchmo
Trumpet players have the firmest cheeks around because they use those muscles for playing the their horns. This fun exercise will firm the cheeks. As you might have guessed, it is named after Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong, a famous trumpet player of the 1900s. Puff out your cheeks, and transfer air from side to side. This firms the cheeks and keeps them strong.
Face-Lift Exercise
The face-lift exercise is recommended by the California Dental Specialty Group to keep the muscles in the face toned. One reason muscles sag is because of lack of use. This exercise works the quadratus labli (a sheet of muscle from the side of the nose to the upper lip), strengthening and firming the muscles. Open your mouth slightly, flare your nostrils, and wrinkle your nose while drawing your upper lip as high as you can, then relax the facial muscles. Next, place your index fingers on the top part of your cheeks, just under your eyes; open your mouth slightly, curl your upper lip, hold for 10 seconds, then relax.
Lower-Eyelid Strengthener
The orbicularis oculi muscle is firmed up with this exercise. This area is just under the eyes, in the area that forms the hollows. Place your index fingers at the outer corners of your eyes and your middle fingers at the inner corners, and apply light pressure. Roll your eyes up, and squint with the lower eyes while lightly holding the corners of your eyes. Tighten and release for 10 repetitions. On the 10th tightening repetition, hold for 40 seconds. This exercise is from Carole Maggio, the author of "Facercise."
Brow-Lifter
This exercise firms the brows and lifts the upper eyelids. It is ideal for eyelids that are starting to droop. Sit facing forward, with your spine erect. Widen your eyes as far as you can. Make sure not to wrinkle your brow, and focus on a point in the distance. Hold for 5 to 10 seconds. Repeat 4 or 5 times. You should feel a flush in your forehead from the circulation.
Temple Dancer Eyes
This yoga exercise works the oribicularis oculi, the muscles that circle the eyes. It helps prevent sagging skin and crow's feet and is a favorite eye muscle exercise of fitness expert Jack LaLanne. Sit with your back straight and your head facing forward. Look to your right, then to the center, then look left and back to the center. Do not move your head, and keep your face relaxed. Next, reverse the direction. Repeat for 3 or 4 times, then close your eyes and look down.
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