Context:

Face yoga is a trendy practice involving exaggerated facial poses and massages intended to strengthen facial muscles, potentially leading to a more toned appearance. While social media influencers claim it offers a natural facelift, scientific support is limited, as evidenced by a small study showing some improvement in facial fullness after 20 weeks of exercises. Dr. Murad Alam suggests face yoga might be beneficial for those avoiding cosmetic procedures due to concerns about safety, cost, or inconvenience, though it does not replace such treatments. Dermatologist Dr. Anetta Reszko notes face yoga can enhance blood and lymphatic circulation, reducing puffiness, especially after sleep or for individuals with allergies. Face yoga is generally safe, providing mindfulness benefits and muscle tension relief, but caution is advised to avoid sensitive under-eye areas, and professional advice should be sought for more significant cosmetic concerns.

Dive Deeper:

• Face yoga consists of a series of exaggerated poses and repetitive movements aimed at targeting facial muscles, with proponents claiming it offers a natural facelift by toning, slimming, and reducing fine lines.

• A study led by Dr. Murad Alam showed that after 20 weeks of daily 30-minute face yoga exercises, participants experienced improved facial fullness, particularly in the cheeks, though the study's small sample size and lack of direct measurements call for further research.

• Dr. Anetta Reszko explains that facial muscles can atrophy over time, leading to sagging due to decreased volume, with face yoga potentially helping by growing the muscle layer beneath the subcutaneous fat, thus restoring facial shape.

• Face yoga is suggested to improve blood and lymphatic fluid circulation in the face, which can reduce morning puffiness and help drain waste, with benefits especially noticeable for those with allergies or post-cosmetic surgery.

• Annelise Hagen, a yoga instructor, emphasizes the mindfulness aspect of face yoga, noting its ability to help individuals relax, become more aware of muscle tension, and feel more in tune with their facial expressions.

• Face yoga is generally considered safe, though caution is advised to avoid excessive force that could cause trauma, and it's recommended to avoid stretching the delicate skin around the eyes.

• For those seeking more dramatic cosmetic changes, such as firming wrinkles or treating acne, consulting a board-certified dermatologist is advised as face yoga does not replace professional cosmetic procedures.