Facial Exercises

If facial movements can strengthen certain muscles, why not target the right muscles instead of the wrong ones?

If you notice sagging around your chin and neck(for some of us, these two features become one) or detect lines radiating from your lips, facial exercises are perfect for you.

The smiling exercise is terrific for firming your jawline, minimizing lip lines, and lifting the corners of your mouth(which in itself can dramatically improve your appearance). Begin by pressing your lips tightly together to form a wide but closemouthed smile. Then slowly part your lips into a broad smile. Open your mouth wider – and wider still. Hold for 5 minutes.

This is the smiling exercise because it engages the muscles we use when we smile. They happen to be the opposing muscles to those we use when we purse our lips – when smoking or whistling, for example. It makes physiological sense. If you strengthen one group, it will diminish the lines created by the opposing muscle group. This exercise also strengthens the muscles that control the contours at the corners of your mouth. When this occurs, the corners can literally change direction – and go from a static frowning position to an uplifted one. Practice twice a day – once in the morning and again at night.

You might feel happier; smiling sure beats frowning