Loose, sagging, or droopy skin on the face and neck requires exercise for firming just as any other body part would. A study published in JAMA Dermatology concluded that facial exercises/yoga improved facial appearance of middle aged women, results provided a younger appearance with fuller upper and lower cheeks.
As reported by the study from Northwestern Medicine women aged 45-60 were asked to perform various facial exercises 30 minutes a day for 8 weeks, then every other day for another 12 weeks. Ages of the women were estimated by dermatologists before, during, and after the study using photographs, substantial improvements were noted. Building muscle fills out the face and counteracts wrinkles and sagging skin naturally that comes with age.
We’ve listed and included instructions some of the facial exercises that were used in the study which were developed by Gary Sikorski of Happy Face Yoga. It is suggested to complete a selection of exercises daily for 8 weeks, then after that just a few days a week to maintain results.
To lift and firm cheeks: Smile then open your mouth to form a long O’; fold the upper lip over the front of the teeth; smile again to lift cheeks; place index finger in top of cheeks just under eyes; relax cheeks; smile again to lift cheek muscle back up. Do 10 of these cheek push ups, on the 10th hold cheek muscles as high as possible. If you tighten your buttocks at the same time it will help to push cheeks even harder.
To tighten muscles under chin and tone saggy cheeks and jowls: Smile and open the mouth to make an AHHH sound; fold lower lip and corner of lips into the mouth and hold tightly; extend lower jaw forward; lift lower jaw slowly to close mouth and pull chin up about an inch each time you scoop while tilting the head backwards; open and close jaw for 10 reps; on the 10th rep chin pointing toward ceiling hold for 20 seconds.
To smooth out wrinkles in the upper eyelids and lift eyebrows: Smile and press 3 fingers under each eyebrow to force them open; keep smiling while trying to frown; hold and breathe deeply while continuing to smile; release and relax and repeat 3 times.
To smooth wrinkles and fill in deep hallows of upper eyelids: Smile and place fingers in each inner and outer corner of both eyes; squeeze eyes together tightly; roll eyes up towards ceiling; you should feel eyelids stretch as you continue to look up with eyes squeezing together; keep smiling and hod for 30 seconds; repeat twice.
Egg white and cornstarch makes a great natural facelift mask to help treat fine lines, wrinkles and will temporarily help provide tightness and tone to the skin. Egg white masks help improve skin tone and elasticity due to the proteins found within egg whites, temporarily. For best results use in conjunction with facial yoga/exercises.
To make an egg white and cornstarch natural face lifting mask you need 1 cold fresh egg and 1 teaspoon of cornstarch. Combine the egg white and cornstarch in a small bowl whisking together until no lumps remain; apply with gentle brush or fingers to clean skin on face and throat areas; allow mask to dry for 15-20 minutes; rinse off with warm water; and pat dry.
Consistency is critical in regards to facial yoga/exercises; repeat exercise daily for 8 weeks and then switch to every other day or a few times a week at minimum to maintain the results of this natural, free, non-toxic, non-invasive facelift.
