Facial exercises are becoming a hot topic in beauty and aesthetics. This is because millions are turning to natural face-lifting techniques in place of invasive procedures.
These facial exercises, or ‘face yoga’, have surged in popularity across the UK in recent years. One of the reasons for this is social media’s fascination with natural anti-ageing tricks. Influencers behind these facial exercises claim that they firm skin, define contours, and even reduce wrinkles.
Facial exercises for jowls and to reduce face fat, or facial exercises for a double chin, are all trending themes which have captivated online beauty enthusiasts.
“Face yoga involves exaggerated facial poses and repetitive movements to target facial muscles, offering a natural alternative to skincare products,” says Yahoo Life.
A Women’s Health article made these bold claims: ”One 2018 study showed that 16 patients between the ages of 40 and 64 who performed facial exercises three to four times a week over a span of eight weeks, experienced increased upper and lower cheek fullness.”
One movement dominating TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram is the ‘Puffer Fish Facial’. The exercise is as its name sounds. This is a cheek-inflating routine said to smooth smile lines and tone the lower face.
A YouTube tutorial by Fumiko is among the viral videos driving the popularity of the Puffer Fish Facial. According to The Sun UK, she demonstrates five precise steps, each held for five to seven seconds. She reports noticeable smoothing of smile lines with consistent twice-daily practice.
Beyond this facial trend, other timeless exercises have also gained attention. The classic ‘fish face’ is widely recommended for sculpting the cheekbones. This is one I am familiar with. It’s the face us ladies make when applying blush to our cheeks, and involves puckering and sucking in the cheeks.
Then there’s the ‘Big O’. This involves forming a circle mouth pose to engage jaw and cheek muscles.
Eye and forehead exercises aim to relax tension and smooth fine lines. These include raising eyebrows against resistance or wide-eyed stares.
Interesting scientific tidbits add depth to this facial fitness trend. A 20-week trial showed that consistent facial exercise improved perceived age by about two years among middle-aged women.
Beauty scientists suggest that stronger facial muscles provide better structural support for overlying skin, which can help delay gravity-driven sagging effects . Additionally, muscle contractions may boost collagen and elastin production via improved circulation and micro-mechanical stimulation, though rigorous clinical data remains limited .
A study by JAMA Dermatology asserts: “Physical manifestations of facial ageing are now understood to include not only skin laxity and superficial photodamage but also deeper substructural volume loss of fat and muscle.”
However, in spite of these positive sentiments, many UK dermatologists offer a more cautious perspective. Dr Olivia Moore, a London-based consultant dermatologist, told the Daily Mail that while facial movements can temporarily boost circulation and give the skin a mild plumping effect, ‘the long-term efficacy of these exercises is still largely anecdotal.’
She warns that repetitive facial expressions could, paradoxically, deepen existing lines over time, especially if performed with excessive force .
Echoing this sentiment, Dr Tom Banwell of Bristol notes that overworking tiny facial muscles may exacerbate wrinkles rather than flatten them, particularly if the skin does not have sufficient collagen and elasticity .
Despite the many cautious expert opinions, the trend continues to attract celebrity endorsements. Indian celebrity trainer Yasmin Karachiwala, popular in the UK fitness scene through Instagram, promotes facial toning routines that include the ‘puffer fish’ technique. She describes this as ideal for reducing laugh lines and defining the jawline.
Meanwhile, social media influencers in the UK have made tutorial reels, with titles such as ‘Puffer Fish Face for Smile Lines’ or ‘Cheek Puff Challenge’, turning the exercise into a viral hashtag campaign.
Just like body workouts, results from facial exercises take time. Most experts recommend doing them daily or at least three to five times a week. With consistent practice, it may take around six to twelve weeks to notice visible differences in muscle tone or lift, and even longer for more subtle improvements in the appearance of wrinkles.
It’s important to start slowly and learn proper technique when beginning facial exercises. Doing them incorrectly can lead to unbalanced muscle development or even the worsening of expression lines.
Trusted tutorials from professionals can provide helpful guidance. These professionals include dermatologists or facial yoga instructors, such as Danielle Collins in the UK.
It’s also crucial to avoid overly aggressive or repetitive movements that might crease the skin, and instead focus on gentle, controlled motions performed with mindfulness and care.
A Final Word On The Science Behind Wrinkles
While firmer muscles offer support, wrinkles form primarily due to the breakdown of collagen and elastin in the dermis. Facial exercises don’t regenerate collagen directly. Topical retinoids, peptides, SPF, and lifestyle habits like hydration and a balanced diet, are much more effective at preventing the root cause of wrinkles.
Experts assert that overexercising facial muscles could also backfire. Some facial yoga or repetitive movements can increase fine lines if done improperly. This is why it’s always best to only follow professional facial exercise experts online, and to consult with a professional before taking on any new health or beauty regimen which you have read about online.
