Since facial exercises can help build muscle tone and improve circulation, they are often employed as a means of gaining a more youthful appearance. Building the facial muscles can lead to the covering skin becoming more taut. Several types of facial exercises exist for aesthetic or neuromuscular reasons. Facial exercises are taught in classes held in local communities or in instructional books and DVDs available in stores or online.
Resistance Training
Facial resistance training works by causing the muscles to contract against an external force, such as your fingers or a device specifically designed to train the face. Deborah Crowley, creator of facial resistance program Flex Effect, has devised a variety of resistance exercises for each part of the face. To widen the eyes and strengthen the upper eyelids, she recommends an exercise she calls the "upper lid pull." To perform the exercise, you must place your middle fingers in the centers of your closed upper lids. You then contract the muscles by attempting to open your eyes while counting to six. Crowley recommends performing the exercise 10 times on at least five days weekly.
Facial Yoga
Like traditional body yoga, facial yoga strengthens the muscles by making repeated movements or by holding a pose. Annelise Hagen, a fitness instructor who teaches traditional and facial yoga in New York, advocates a facial exercise she calls "baby bird" to firm the neck, shoulder and jaw muscles. To perform a baby bird, tilt your head back and look up at the ceiling. Press your tongue to the roof of your mouth while swallowing. Tilt your head to the left and swallow again, then repeat, tilting your head to the right. The exercise should be repeated four times in each direction.
Facial Massage
Facial massage is a form of exercise that may be performed by a beautician or a dermatologist before a facial, microdermabrasion or another aesthetic procedure. This helps to relax the muscles and improves blood circulation to the area. In his book "Zone Therapy," author Joseph Corvo recommends performing self-facial massage daily to improve skin and muscle tone. Corvo also claims that massaging acupressure points on the face works in a similar fashion to podal reflexology and can release tension and improve the health of the body's major organs.
Facial Paralysis
Facial exercises are also used to encourage movement in patients who have facial paralysis. Paralysis is caused by a condition such as Bell's Palsy or a trauma. Facial resistance training may be used to increase muscle growth, but because many patients will be unable to make voluntary muscle movements, the muscles can be encouraged to stir by engaging the fingers.
References
- Daily Mail: Facial Yoga
- "Zone Therapy"; Joseph Corvo; 1988
- "Flex Effect Facial Resistance Training"; Deborah Crowley; 1998
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