Facial exercises can increase face muscle mass and tone, creating a natural face lift. Firm face muscles lift and improve personal appearance. A toned face is associated with a youthful look. A 1994 study published in the "Journal of Geriatric Dermatology" on the effects of resistant facial exercises in eight women ages 35 to 55 concluded that skin became firmer with consistent exercise. There are 11 muscles responsible for facial expression and two facial muscles associated with chewing. Facial expression muscles are situated around the eyes, nose and mouth. Isometric and stretching exercises can increase the strength and mass of facial muscles. These exercises involve pushing against an immovable object for a short time. Benefits include increased tone and bone density and decreased muscle loss. Dr Giovanni Dicran Megighian, past president of European College of Gerodontology and Associate
professor in Restorative Dentistry at University of Florence Italy, presented at the 2009 Anti-Aging Conference in London on the beneficial effects of isometric facial exercises for the reduction of fine lines.
Face Lifting Warm-Up
Warm a face cloth and place it over the skin to bring blood supply to the face. You can massage a small amount of olive oil into the face if your skin is dry and apply lip balm can to dry lips. Begin with a full stretch to increase blood supply to the muscles. Open your mouth and eyes wide to a comfortable stretch. Hold for a count of three and repeat three times. Do not overextend the stretch.
Lifting and Toning Facial Muscles
Place the three middle fingertips of both hands horizontally at the hair line above the eyebrows. Press gently but firmly on the skin. Pull the forehead muscle up towards your fingers and hold for three second to five seconds. Repeat three times. You should feel the frontalis muscle press up against your fingertips. Finish by gently massaging the forehead. Tone muscles around your mouth by placing the index and middle fingers on either side of your mouth approximately in the center of your cheek. Close your lips and pull tight against fingers and hold for three to five seconds. Repeat three times. Fine lines above the lip should decrease when fingers are in the correct position. Open mouth wide with a gentle stretch to finish.
After Care
Facial muscles may temporarily ache. Isometric exercises reduce the blood supply to muscles. Apply witch hazel to a cotton ball and gently massage the face to remove excess oil and stimulate blood flow back to the muscles. Increased muscle tone develops over time. Results may not be apparent for two to three months.
Cautions for Face Lifting Exercises
Individuals with high or low blood pressure, neck injury, degenerative disc disease, osteoporosis, autoimmune diseases such arthritis, diabetes or Sjorgren's syndrome should not perform facial exercises. Do not practice facial exercises if you have had surgical dental procedures. Do not practice facial exercises if you have open sores, acne, rosacea or broken capillaries. Discontinue exercises if you experience pain or headache. Consult your physician if you have any medical conditions that could be aggravated by repetitive exercise.
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