While diet, exercise and a healthy lifestyle can keep your body in shape, sagging skin around the face might not respond to even the healthiest regiment.  Sagging facial skin can be a result of environmental factors and poor health habits, but most of the effects are simply due to genetics. A surgical facelift and laser facial rejuvenation are a few ways to combat the problem, but facial yoga may be an effective non-surgical option for many.  

Can facial exercises really provide lasting results? Here’s a closer look at facial yoga and the key benefits of this alternative facial rejuvenation treatment:  

Key Causes of Aging and Sagging Skin

Dr. Ashkan Ghavami, M.D., a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills suggests there are some key reasons why skin isn’t looking as tight and taut as your days of youth. He explains that connective tissue diseases, dry skin, sun damaged skin and smoking are the leading causes of premature sagging, and sometimes these factors are beyond a person’s control (RealSelf.com). Poor health habits, environmental pollutants and even genetics can trigger the premature aging cycle which leads to wrinkles, fine lines and sagging skin.  

Treating sagging skin with facial yoga presents one option for many baby boomers who want to ward off the premature signs of aging. In the same way that muscles become stronger through consistent yoga practice, facial yoga may help create a youthful appearance by toning core facial muscles and making them more resilient. Practitioners of facial yoga believe that exercising facial muscles in a particular sequence can reduce the signs of aging and build strength in key areas. From extreme puckering to facial massage, facial yoga practitioners are determined to change the structure of their face without surgery or laser treatments. Still, skeptics of this anti-aging treatment suggest that facial yoga is just a myth. Is it really possible to make skin look younger with exercise alone?  

Making Facial Yoga Work

Cynthia Rowland, a world-renown expert in natural facial fitness says that facial movement without resistance is simply a contortion – it will not produce any significant changes in structure and simple movements may be a futile effort. However, anyone who works on building muscle strength reduces the chances of muscle atrophy and slack muscles – the common denominator of an aging body (Source:  Rejenuve.com). Practicing facial yoga regularly with resistance-bearing techniques may be an ideal solution for many who want to improve their skin tone and sculpt away sagging skin.  

Key Benefits of Facial Yoga

Facial yoga involves a series of exercises that tighten and tone the facial muscles to create a more youthful look, and offers several benefits for the skin.  The process may also have an impact on your energy level and sense of well-being. Since it involves several deep breathing techniques, the process of posing and stretching itself can be a way to relieve stress and even relax better after the session.   

Facial yoga can:  

• Increase blood and oxygen flow to the brain
• Engage both large and small muscle groups
• Reduce fine lines and wrinkles
• Clear up the complexion as a result of facial muscle stimulation
• Improve circulation around the face
• Reduce stress and tension around the jaw, ears and neck  

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a non-invasive treatment to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, or simply want to improve the texture and tone of your skin, facial yoga may be a valuable alternative to surgery and laser skin rejuvenation treatments. Facial yoga techniques need to be practiced on a daily basis for the best results, and many alternative health centers and medispas offer classes that can teach you key techniques.  

Learn more about facial rejuvenation in our information guide, or consider all of your options in skin rejuvenation in our resource section. If you’re ready to try facial yoga, contact a medispa in your area to practice yoga techniques - and maybe allow you to skip that facelift altogether.