The Facial-Flex© facial exercise program is marketed to women wanting to improve facial wrinkles and sagging skin, and to people who experience various speech impediments. Although this moderately priced system is backed by clinical research for both uses, there are opposing views on whether the system works as indicated for improving facial elasticity and structure. Also,though Facial-Flex promises speech improvement, no one knows for certain how progress, or lack of it, will vary from person to person. Therefore, in order to assess the product's effectiveness, available data must be analyzed and self-experimentation must be carried out by individual users.
History
Facial-Flex, an over-the-counter, do-it-yourself facial toning and exercise program, was originally developed in 1989 to increase oral muscle strength in facial burn victims. However, in 1990, the manufacturer of Facial-Flex--Facial Concepts, Inc.--determined that the product could also be effectively used to improve speech through strengthening neck and oral-facial motor strength, and reverse signs of facial aging through toning and strengthening the muscles of the neck, face and chin, according to Facial Concepts Inc.'s website. Today, Facial-Flex is most commonly marketed to promote facial aesthetics and speech improvement.
Theories/Speculation
According to Facial Concepts Inc.'s website, daily use of the Facial-Flex facial exercise system can improve the appearance of facial sagging by doubling facial muscle strength in approximately eight weeks. Likewise, Facial Concept Inc. says daily use of Facial-Flex can also dramatically improve speech impediments in about eight weeks.
Methodology
Facial-Flex users begin treatment by applying a moisturizer to the facial area. Then participants place the Facial-Flex strengthening device into the mouth and press the corners of the lips against the device, which initiates resistance against the face, neck and chin. Participants continue to press and release the device for two minutes twice a day for aesthetic purposes and for approximately 50 times twice a day for speech improvement purposes, according to Facial Concept Inc.'s website.
Potential
According to dermatologist Dr. Albert Kligman, facial sagging cannot be corrected through the use of pharmacological products, Facial Concept Inc.'s website says. In other words, facial lotions or creams can't restore the shape of the face after sagging. However, according to two clinical studies performed by Charles R. Zerweck, PhD, Gary L. Grove, PhD and Stan W. Rimdzius, BS, participants who used Facial-Flex as directed over eight weeks experienced firmer skin with improved elasticity. Likewise, in clinical studies performed by Aravind Namasivayam Kumar, M.Sc., Pascal van Lieshout, PhD and Arpita Bose M.Sc., participants who used Facial-Flex as directed over the eight weeks experienced improved speech patterns.
Expert Insight
Dr. Vinod K. Joshi, a restorative dentist at St. Luke's Hospital, says Facial-Flex might be a valuable instrument to improve oral muscle strength. However, Dr. David C. Pearson, a facial plastic surgeon practicing in Jacksonville, Florida, is skeptical about the use of Facial-Flex to improve facial muscle tone. Dr. Pearson says the studies conducted on Facial-Flex were not performed by medical doctors and that facial changes are not due to lack of facial exercise, but due to the deterioration of hyaluronic acid, elastin and collagen in the face. Furthermore, Dr. Pearson says Botox minimizes wrinkles because it weakens facial muscles and that building up facial muscles with Facial-Flex may actually do more harm than good.
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