Let’s face it- jowls happen. Whether it’s due to age, gravity, or just life being life, those droops along the jawline can sneak up on anyone. But before you lose hope and revert to invasive treatments or buy scarves in bulk to hide the ever-evolving insecurity, why not try something that’s taking the world by storm?
It’s relaxing, a natural alternative to fillers or Botox, and promotes lymphatic drainage. There’s one catch, though: consistency. Consistency is key if you want to see results. So, with that out of the way, let’s divulge the simple yet effective face yoga techniques to tighten those saggy droops, naturally! If you’re wondering about face yoga for jowls, you’ve stumbled upon the perfect article.
What are Jowls and Why do We get Them?
Jowls tend to crash the party as we age, but they’re not just reserved for women or the over-60 crowd. Anyone can get them, and plenty of us do, thanks to a mix of factors. Yes, time and gravity are the usual suspects, but things like genetics, weight changes, long hours staring down at screens (hello, tech neck), and even our favourite facial expressions can all play a part.
Toss in sun damage, poor posture, and habits like smoking, and it’s no wonder the jawline starts to lose its edge. The good news? There’s plenty you can do about it—starting with face yoga – more specifically, face yoga for jowls.
Does Facial Yoga Work for Jowls?
Just like your body, your face is full of muscles –over 40, to be exact. These muscles are also called mimetic muscles and are unique because many of them are directly linked to the skin, rather than bone. So, when a facial muscle contracts, it pulls the skin with it. Some muscles work together while others influence nearby movements.
This interconnectedness is why face yoga is so effective: by targeting certain muscles, you’re simultaneously toning and supporting the mechanics around them. A study published by JAMA Dermatology (2018) found that those who did facial yoga daily for 20 weeks showed improved upper and lower cheek fullness and a more youthful appearance across the board.
How Do You Tighten Saggy Jowls?
A few minutes a day can make all the difference over time – much like regular workouts, face yoga for jowls is just way more fun to do in your pyjamas! A study by the Association of Facial Exercise with the Appearance of Aging in 2018 found that middle-aged women who performed facial exercises over 20 weeks saw significant improvements in upper and lower cheek fullness. This suggests that face yoga for jowls truly works. But it’s only the case when done regularly. So, here are some moves you can try to tackle those pesky droops.
Face Yoga for Jowls: A Quick Guide
- The Jawline Sculptor – targets the jawline & cheeks
- Make a fist and gently rest your chin on top
- Apply a bit of pressure as you push your chin downward into your fist
- You should feel the resistance in your jaw and neck
- Hold for 5 seconds, release, and repeat 10 times
- The Chin Lift – targets the chin, jawline and neck
- Tilt your head back and look at the ceiling
- Pucker your lips as if you’re trying to kiss the ceiling
- You should feel a stretch in the front of your neck and jaw
- Hold for 5 seconds, then relax. Repeat 10-15 times.
- The Neck Tap – targets the neck and under-chin area
- Using the backs of your fingers, gently tap from under your chin down along your neck
- Work both hands in a light, alternating motion
- Do this for 30-60 seconds to stimulate circulation and lymphatic flow
- The Cheek Firmer – targets cheeks and jawline
- Smile as wide as you can without wrinkling your eyes
- Place your index fingers on your cheek muscles and apply gentle resistance as you try to lift your cheeks
- Hold for 5-10 seconds. Repeat 10 times
For additional lymphatic drainage, be sure to stimulate the lymph nodes first. These are in the underarms and along the collarbone. Gently rub these areas before starting face yoga for jowls, and you’ll see and feel subtle but real improvements.
Can Face Yoga Reverse Sagging?
Face yoga for jowls is not a miracle cure. It does well in toning underlying muscles, boosting circulation, and stimulating collagen – all of which can lead to firmer, more lifted skin over time.
If the sagging is still in its early years, regular facial exercises can improve the firmness of jowls. But, this all depends on your age and how advanced the sagging is. So, can face yoga reverse sagging? Well, try it and see for yourself!
Top Face Yogis to Follow on Social Media
Just like many of us, the following credible face yogis on social media have been affected by gravity, age, stress, or bloating in some capacity. They too saw firsthand how effective face yoga for jowls is. Overall, face yoga had a tremendous impact on how they look and feel, so much so that they now dedicate their time to spreading the techniques and methods for free.
The first face yoga expert is Stephanie Flockhart, a certified holistic health coach, an EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) guru, and Psych-K practitioner. This former acupuncturist has seen the transformative power of face yoga, and her wisdom will transform your life too. Through her platform, she offers a library of over 100 videos designed to help you align with your elevated self in just 5 to 25 minutes per day. You can find her on Instagram and Facebook under her handle @stephanieflockhart.
Next on my list of trusted face yoga experts is Valeriia Veksler. She’s a registered nurse and is famous for her innovative approach to non-invasive facial rejuvenation techniques. What I love about her social media pages is that she demonstrates which muscles affect what, before and after pictures of those who tried it, and steady guidance so that you can replicate the methods effectively.
Her system provides a variety of specialised programs, including the 7-Day Double Chin Marathon, Firm Jawline Marathon, and Smile Lines Marathon, each designed to address specific facial concerns. On Pinterest, I like to place her videos under my health board. In the evening, as part of my winding-down routine, I select some of the videos saved and proceed to follow along until my face feels almost infantile. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or YouTube. Here’s her handle: @valeriiaveksler.
Our Final Thoughts on Face Yoga for Jowls
Face yoga for jowls is a supportive, natural tool that’s meant to complement your skincare routine and foster mindful self-care habits. It is not, however, a replacement for more intensive options, especially if you’re keen to see results overnight. But alas, if you have patience for face yoga’s techniques working their magic over time, faith in your body’s ability to heal from the inside out, and harbour a willingness to try, you might be pleasantly surprised with the results.
Once again, consistency is key. Without it, nothing we humans do comes to fruition. So, spare yourself the disappointment and select a time slot dedicated to face-firming, time-turning face yoga. All there is to do then is to stick to it.
Keep at it.
In a few short months, your jawline will thank you. And, if you want more beauty insights, read about the emergence of skin fragrances.
