Intrinsic aging is the natural aging process that begins around age 20 and causes facial skin to lose elasticity and slow collagen production. New skin-cell production decreases, and dead skin cells remain in place longer, according to the American Academy of Dermatologists. Prevention is always the best cure to keep skin young and wrinkle-free, but facial exercises can aid the effort.
Step 1
Massage your face with your fingertips, or get a facial massage from a trained massage therapist. Oil your hands with massage oil, and move your fingertips lightly in an outward and upward motion over your face. Pay particular attention to the eyebrows and the jaw line, where tension tends to gather.
Step 2
Do isometric exercises that require you to set your muscles in strained positions, and hold each move for a count of 10. Isometric exercises are ideal for people who loathe pulling on their skin or touching their faces for fear of adding wrinkles or bacteria to sensitive skin areas.
Step 3
Tone your eyes by relaxing your face and making a half-wink with one eye. Hold the position for a count of 10, and repeat the exercise with the other eye.
Step 4
Tighten muscles under your neck by tipping your head back and sticking out your tongue. Hold the position for a count of 10. Release, then repeat for a total of 10 repetitions.
Step 5
Do isometrics for the jowls by looking up at the ceiling, raising your lower lip over your mouth and holding the position for a count of 10. Release, then repeat for five reps.
Step 6
Work the muscles around your eyes by pulling up gently on the skin beside the eyebrows while your eyes are open. Close your eyes while the skin is stretched, and feel the pull in the muscles beside your eyes.
Step 7
Build muscles around your mouth by placing one index finger in each side of your mouth and pulling outward about half an inch. Next, contract your mouth, forcing your fingers toward each other as your mouth tries to close. Start slowly for about 5 seconds, then stop. Repeat the exercise every day until your mouth muscles become strong enough to defeat the pressure from your fingers.
Tips and Warnings
- Extrinsic aging is caused by uncontrollable external factors. To avoid aging skin because of external factors, stay out of the sun, or wear sunscreen, and avoid habitual facial expressions, such as frowning, squinting and scowling.
- The American Academy of Dermatologists says many facial exercises actually can create fine lines and wrinkles because every time a crease is made on the face, it leaves a slight indentation that eventually is permanent.
Things You'll Need
- Massage oil
- Sunscreen
Member Comments