Facial yoga has gained immense popularity in recent years, espoused by celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Kate Moss and Gwyneth Paltrow. The basics are the same as full-body yoga: a series of stretches and exercises to tone and strengthen facial, neck and shoulder muscles.
The process targets tensions and stresses, and devotees claim it contours and lifts areas that have become weakened over time.
But is there science behind the bizarre facial expressions? According to a small pilot study published in JAMA Dermatology, researchers found that participants (aged 40–65) who performed 30-minute daily or alternate-day facial exercises over 20 weeks saw a “significant improvement in upper and lower cheek fullness”.
More than that, they reported a reduction in apparent age: 1.2 years after 8 weeks, and 2.7 years after 20 weeks.
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Facial yoga is also thought to have a positive effect on mental health. A review of studies in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that voluntary facial muscle exercise may improve depressive symptoms, mood and reduce the level of chronic stress.
There is also evidence to suggest that stretching and massage might have a positive impact on reducing the appearance of scars.
However, a review in the National Library of Medicine notes the need for further, large and randomised controlled trials before facial yoga can truly be touted as the next best thing in anti-ageing.
4 facial yoga exercises to try at home
As with any new regime, it’s advisable to consult a health practitioner to determine if yoga is right for you. If it is, here are some exercises to get you started…
Cheek puff
Purse your lips and puff out your cheeks, transferring the air between your cheeks as you do so. Hold for 5 seconds, release and repeat. This can help tone your cheek muscles.
Eye rejuvenator
Gently tap the skin under your eye, gradually moving the taps towards the inner corner of your eye.
Move up and above your eye towards the outer corner. This helps with lymphatic drainage, which can reduce dark circles and puffiness.
Fish face
Purse your lips, then suck in your cheeks. Hold this pose for around 30 seconds, release and repeat.
This is often considered the ‘classic’ facial yoga pose, targeting the jawline and cheek muscles.
Frown preventer
Using your index and middle finger between your eyebrows, gently press down and open your fingers so they travel along your eyebrows.
Hold for 5 seconds, release and repeat.
This article is an answer to the question (asked by Alex Maddox, via email) 'Should I be doing facial yoga?'
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