From Hannibal Lecter facials to putting your face in ice, you never know what you’re going to get from TikTok’s beauty secrets.
The #FaceYoga hashtag, attached to posts that show users the benefits of certain facial movements that can help them look younger, has been viewed more than 3 billion times on TikTok.
This habit has been a beauty secret for decades, but it recently came to light on social media. In a 2014 interview with Birchbox and Harper’s Bazaar, the former Meghan Markle (now the Duchess of Sussex) credited her toned cheeks and jawline to yoga. She admitted that it also helps relieve jet lag.
“It may seem silly, but I swear it works. My cheekbones and jawline are more sculpted on the days I do it,” she said.
Like other exercises that require muscle building, face yoga exercises can help reduce double chins and promote lymphatic drainage to minimize puffiness. According to Health, it can also help reduce eye strain.
“Face yoga has the effect of lifting and tightening the muscles under the skin, smoothing out lines and wrinkles. Massage increases circulation, improves lymphatic drainage, and helps relieve tension,” says Daniel. Danielle Collins, founder of Collins Face Yoga, told Healthline.
A 2018 study found that doing facial exercises for 30 minutes a day, twice a week, can improve the mental health of older adults. Experts say that face yoga not only does wonders for your youthful glow and appearance, but it also has benefits for your sleep.
“Acupressure techniques increase blood circulation and reduce stress, which can help prevent headaches, relieve sinuses, and improve sleep quality,” says Collins.
According to WebMD, the benefits of this routine include reducing wrinkles and around the eyes, strengthening facial muscles, and reducing sagging skin. So, is face yoga the ultimate treatment for looking and feeling younger and maintaining healthy skin?
To maximize the effectiveness of this exercise, Beauty Lab senior chemist Sabina Wiseman told Good Housekeeping that if you practice it for 30 minutes a day, you’ll see results within five months. This trend is a great way to start taking control of anti-aging treatments, but they don’t work for everyone.
“Massages that don’t involve muscle contractions may not improve muscle tone. However, you may still see improvement thanks to lymphatic drainage,” says dermatologist and founder of Manhattan Skin and Cosmetic Surgery. Dr. Michelle Henry told Berrywell Health. “Long-lasting effects require consistent practice over a long period of time, but the exact length of time the effects last may vary from person to person.”
