Muscles in the body or on the face respond much the same way when exercised. Sans any requirement for equipment, you just need to be doing it right to get best results. A complete facial workout works on all necessary facial muscles and the results are balanced. Facial workout benefits your eyes too. It is the most natural way to look healthy within and outside, to beat stress and keep crow's feet, wrinkled brows and turkey neck at bay!
How facial workouts work
In all, the human face makes 21 different emotional expressions. Happiness, surprise, sadness, anger, fear and disgust - it is the face that emotes. There are compound emotions, a combination of two emotions at the same time. For example, a happy surprise. One, two or a group of muscles go into making these facial expressions.
The facial muscles are uniquely different from the rest of the muscles of the body. To understand the difference, consider muscles like biceps or quadriceps. The contractions and extensions of these help control our bones. Whereas the muscles on the face are attached from the bone underneath and directly attached to the skin. This makes facial expressions possible.
These 55 muscles are very small and are extremely important muscles. The muscles are responsible for communication. For any given facial expression, it causes movement in underlying facial muscles. This movement forms a groove perpendicular to the movement.
Equally important is the hypodermis or the lower layer of the skin, the dermis or the middle layer and the epidermis or the upper layer of the skin. When done appropriately, facial workouts work on all these layers.
Like the rest of the body, the facial muscles need exercise. Call these as natural face therapies, face yoga, face lifting or simply working out the facial muscles, the benefits of facial workouts are many.
Why Facial Workouts
No expensive skin treatment, no anti-wrinkle serums loaded with chemicals and toxins, no appointment for face-lift, not even face cream - facial workout is the most trending way to firm and youthful facial skin. All those enrolled for client trials for facial workouts are delighted with the results. Check out their responses.
How to work the face muscles
Inspired by these true responses, are you eager to kick-start a facial workout? The best part of facial workout is you can do it anywhere. Just set aside five minutes each morning and five minutes in the evening to work the eyes, forehead, cheeks, lips and chin. In few days, you can design your own facial workout program, 15 minutes, 28 exercises, three to five times a week or so. All along relax your mind and just lend the right amount of focus in the expression of your face.
Things you will need: Bed or reclining chair, massage oil or sunscreen lotion
Facial workout for eyes 1
Quite an easy one, this is most appropriate for all beginners. The aim is to reduce the fine lines that form in the skin around the eyes. It cannot be eliminated but can become less noticeable.
Step 1: Partially wink one eye at a time.
Step2: Hold the wink for a second.
Step3: Repeat the movement. (20-26 repetitions)
Note: Avoid scrunching up the skin in the crow's feet area. Contract firmly both the orbicularis oculi muscles (the muscle in the face that closes the eyelids) around each eye and the nasalis muscles that are on each side of the nasal bone.
Facial workout for eyes 2
Goal is to ultimately get rid of drooping eyelids, crow's feet, eye bags and puffiness.
Step 1: Press both middle fingers together at the inner corner of the eyebrows.
Step 2: With the index fingers, apply pressure to the outer corners of the eyebrows.
Step 3: Look up to the ceiling.
Step 4: Raise the lower eyelids upwards to squint.
Step 5: Relax.
Repeat six more times and finish by squeezing eyes shut tightly for 10 seconds
Facial workout for eyes 3
Goal is to reduce crow's feet at the corner of the eyes. Practice this while looking into a mirror. It could be hard to isolate each muscle but then with practice it is indeed possible.
Facial workout for eyes 4
This workout seeks to remove wrinkles around eyes and in getting stronger eyelids.
Step 1: Sit down and close eyes.
Step 2: Use index fingers to lift up eyebrows.
Step 3: While lifting keep eyes closed to stretch eyelids as far as possible.
Step 4: Hold the position for 10 seconds.
Step 5: Relax and repeat 10 times.
Facial workout for eyes 5
The aim is to arrest deep eye hollows and drooping eye brows.
Step 1: Place an index finger under each eye, pointing towards the nose.
Step 2: Pull your upper lip to hide the teeth and the lower jaw to hide the bottom lip.
Step 3: Flutter for 30 seconds the upper eyelids while gazing at the ceiling.
Facial workout for eyes 6
Aging and poor night sleep contributes to sagging eyelids and eye bags. Prevent eye bags with this workout.
Step 1: Close eyes and relax.
Step 2: Look up and then down within those closed eye lids.
Step 3: Do not arch the eyebrows.
Step 4: Open eyes relax and repeat 5 times.
Facial workout for eyes 7
This is yet another simple workout to get rid of the bags under the eyes. It also promotes blood circulation. Repeat workout for better complexion.
Step 1: Look straight ahead and open mouth wide to form an extended O shape.
Step 2: The above step should make you feel a stretch under the eyes.
Step 3: Without moving forehead look up with eyes wide open and hold for 5 seconds.
Step 4: Relax and repeat the pose for three sets.
Facial workout for eyebrow 8
The goal is to reduce or diminish the horizontal forehead lines across the forehead. It is a good idea to rub some mineral oil or even water on the forehead before working, the lubrication benefits the skin.
Step 1: Place both hands on the forehead facing inwards.
Step 2: Spread all fingers out between the eyebrows and hairline.
Step 3: Gently sweep the fingers outwards across the forehead.
Step 4: Apply light pressure to tighten the skin
Step 5: Relax.
Step 6: Repeat 10 times.
Facial workout for eye brows 9
This is a typical brow lift facial workout. The goal is to work out the muscles in the forehead.
Step 1: Use two fingers (V shape) and place fingernails over each eyebrow.
Step 2: Gently push that skin down and push brows up and down.
Step 3: Repeat 10 times, the up and down motion with brows.
Step 4: Do 3 sets. Relax and do another 3 sets of 10.
Facial workout for sagging jowls 10
Time to believe that smiling is itself a good facial workout. Smile to lift the sagging jowls. The goal is to tone the muscles under the cheeks and tighten the skin over those muscles.
Step 1: Tilt head back at a slight angle and smile.
Step 2: Smile such that the corners of mouth reach back to your ears.
Step 3: Hold the position for 10 seconds.
Step 4: Release the position and relax.
Step 5: Repeat 5 times.
Facial workout for forehead 11
To think of eradicating forehead wrinkles is impractical. But it is indeed possible to slow down its progression. The goal of this facial workout is to reduce and prevent wrinkles. Stretching the muscles is the most effective way. Perform this workout so that your forehead is smooth and line-free. For effective results, do in the morning and right before going to bed.
Step 1: Lie down on your back on the bed/reclining chair.
Step 2: Place head on the edge of the bed.
Step 3: Let the head hang on the edge of the bed.
Step 4: Raise eyebrows as high as you can.
Step 5: All along keep eyes open as wide as possible.
Step 6: Hold and count up to 5.
Step 6: Relax your face.
Step 7: Repeat 5-10 times.
Facial workouts for forehead 12
Step 1: Place the tip of the finger of each hand vertically in the center of your forehead.
Step 2: Apply slight pressure.
Step 3: Close your eyes.
Step 4: Slowly slide the fingers out towards the hairline.
Step 5: Relax.
Step 6: Repeat twice.
Facial workouts for forehead 13
Step 1: Make funny faces (think taking a selfie photo)
Step 2: Lower your eyebrows as far as you can.
Step 3: Simultaneously, try to wrinkle up your nose
Step 4: Flare your nostrils (such that nose holes open wider)
Step 5: Relax
Step 6: Repeat 5 times.
Facial workout for forehead 14
Step 1: Frown as much as possible.
Step 2: Bring eyebrows over your eyes while pulling the eyebrows toward one another.
Step 3: Life your eyebrows as far as possible.
Step 4: Simultaneously, open your eyes as far/wide as possible
Step 5: Relax and repeat 5 times.
Facial workout for lips
A smile, frown, pucker or chew, three muscles in the lips are in action. Around 30's the skin and muscles of the lips begin to droop. Lips tend to give away age as they become thinner and less full with time. Combined with massaging the area around the lips, facial workouts for the lips help increase blood flow, reduce sagging skin and tone the muscles of the lips.
For a stronger, firmer lips 15
Step 1: Sit up straight and purse lips.
Step 2: Stretch mouth into a smile.
Step 3: Keep lips pursed.
Step 4: Kiss lips as if throwing air kisses.
Step 5: Relax and repeat 5 times.
To tighter and tone muscles in and around lips 16
Step 1: Place pointer finger in mouth and suck as hard as possible.
Step 2: Concentrate. Feel the muscles of cheeks and lips contracting.
Step 3: Hold for five seconds.
Step 4: Slowly relax mouth and remove finger.
Step 5: Repeat 10 times.
To reduce lines around the mouth and lift and firm the cheeks and jaw 17
Step 1: Purse lips and form mouth into a small 'o' shape.
Step 2: Keep lips tense and smile as hard as possible.
Step 3: Concentrate to feel cheek muscles contracting.
Step 4: Relax and repeat 5 times.
Facial workout for cheeks 18
The goal is to get rid of unwanted facial fat, add definition to the face and prevent skin sagging.
Step 1: Sit up straight and drop lower jaw.
Step 2: Push jaw outwards to the extent where tension build up in cheeks.
Step 3: Hold the position for 10 seconds and then draw jaw inwards.
Step 4: Relax and repeat exercise 10 times.
Facial workout for cheeks 19
Step 1: Keep mouth closed and rotate tongue in circular movements.
Step 2: Check if tongue touches the outer surface of upper and lower teeth.
Step 3: Do 10 times clockwise and in anticlockwise direction.
Step 4: Relax and repeat 5 times.
Facial workout for cheeks 20
This workout is particularly effective to strengthen facial muscles, sculpt cheekbones, release tensions and reduce excess fat in the lower portion of cheeks.
Step 1: Open eyes and lips and stick the tongue out.
Step 2: Try to touch your chin.
Step 3: Hold for 10 seconds.
Step 4: Relax and repeat 5 times.
Facial workout for chin 21
The workout helps to get rid of fat under the jaw bone, the neck and throat.
Step 1: Stand in a comfortable position.
Step 2: tilt head back and look towards the ceiling.
Step 3: Pucker lips and direct a kiss towards the ceiling.
Step 4: Hold the kiss for 5 seconds.
Step 5: Relax. Return head to a neutral position.
Step 6: Repeat 10 times.
Facial workout for chin 22
Step 1: Look straight.
Step 2: Open your mouth wide.
Step 3: Stick tongue out slowly (totally)
Step 4: Let the tongue return to mouth.
Step 5: Relax and repeat 10 times.
Facial workout FAQ:
Can a face workout be done by all?
Facial workout is not recommended for people with conditions such as glaucoma, untreated high blood pressure, untreated diabetes, strong arteriosclerosis, lymphatic drainage problems, chronic skin conditions on the face, inflammation anywhere on the head and absence of lymph nodes.
What is the right age to start facial workout?
The sooner; the better! Around age 28-30 sagging of the skin starts. It's better to start before age 28-30, prevention is better than cure.
Is there an upper age limit?
People over 60 can restrain from doing facial workout as inelastic blood vessel can possibly burst and cause injury to untrained muscles. If the workout was part of regular body exercises since a young age, it's absolutely safe to continue.
What is a recommended facial workout schedule?
Facial workout professionals recommend an eight minute facial workout twice a day.
How soon can I see a difference?
Changes in the skin shade can be seen within 2-3 weeks as regular workout increases and improves blood flow to the face. Combine facial workout with a balanced diet, a good skin care regimen and a full-body workout routine, in less than a month the desired results will be visible.
Can I make changes to a specific facial workout?
Yes you can but after you learn and have done them exactly as recommended. Do some experimentation and be creative otherwise you may lose interest and feel bored.
Should I lubricate my skin before facial workout?
Though not absolutely necessary, you may rub some mineral oil before starting facial workout.
How do I track changes?
You can consider taking pictures or you can record/shoot video. Compare after a month and the advancement can be a huge motivational boost to keep up the routine.