Puckering, puffing, scrunching and stretching your face may look silly, but in some circles, it’s the serious business of face yoga — a trendy facial workout involving exaggerated expressions meant to tone facial muscles.
Popular for being cost-free and product-free, it promises a “natural facelift” effect. But how much is scientifically true?
The science behind face yoga
The face comprises layers of skin, fat, and muscle. Over time, facial muscles can shrink from aging or lack of use, leading to sagging. “The fat and the muscles work together to give the face volume,” said Dr. Anetta Reszko, a dermatologist at Weill Cornell Medical College in US.
Face yoga aims to work the muscle layer beneath the fat. “As you grow the muscle, that would restore some shape to the face,” said Dr. Murad Alam, a dermatologist at Northwestern University in US who led a 2018 study on the topic.
In the study, 16 middle-aged adults practiced 30-minute face yoga routines daily for 20 weeks. A panel observed improved facial fullness, especially in the cheeks. “The cheek muscles are among the biggest facial muscles,” said Alam. However, more studies are needed to confirm long-term benefits.
“Is this a replacement for cosmetic procedures? Not really,” Alam added. “But it’s potentially useful to people who absolutely do not want any cosmetic procedures.”
What else could face yoga do?
Reszko recommends face yoga to improve blood flow and lymphatic drainage, which can reduce puffiness—especially in the morning. “Moving, stretching and massaging the face... could help reduce puffiness,” she said, comparing the benefits to gua sha techniques. Increased blood flow may give skin a flushed and hydrated appearance, though temporarily.
Face yoga may also help relieve facial tension. “Tension is a huge enemy for a lot of us,” said yoga instructor Annelise Hagen, author of The Yoga Face. She focuses on awareness and relaxation in her classes. Techniques like the “lion’s breath”—opening the mouth wide, sticking out the tongue, and rolling back the eyes—help with mindfulness.
“When you’re approaching the face from a yogic perspective... it’s about being mindful of what we do with the face,” Hagen said. “Anything that can make you feel more serene, calm and better about the face that you’re in, I think is legitimate.”
Can face yoga be harmful?
Face yoga is generally safe, Alam said. Harm would require excessive, painful force. Still, Reszko advises avoiding rough movements around the under-eye area due to thinner skin. For deeper concerns like wrinkles or acne, she recommends consulting a certified dermatologist.
Courtesy: CNN
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