Facial Exercises Guide » facial exercises

How To Avoid A Gaunt Face As You Age

Cecil — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 08:48:39 +0000

Your Face Or Your Body?

There is an old adage that suggests as we age we have to choose between our face and our body.

What this refers to is the idea that if we want our bodies to remain slim and toned as we age, we have to sacrifice our faces.

And there is possibly some truth in this notion.

Basically as we get older if we remain very slim our faces can become gaunt looking, as low-weight usually shows up on the face first of all.

Some people even use this idea as a good reason to gain a few pounds as the years progress.

The reasoning being that carrying a few extra pounds helps to plump up the face, smooth out the skin and minimize the appearance of gauntness and wrinkles.

To Fill Or Not To Fill?

But what if you want to stay slim and toned as you age but don’t want your face to take on a gaunt appearance?

Well, many celebrities resort to cosmetic fillers to fill out the face. These fillers are usually injected into the area around the cheekbones to give the face a plumper, more youthful look.

They work to a certain extent, however they can be quite obvious and end up giving you the look of somebody who has had ‘work’ done on their face.

Many tabloid newspapers and gossip columnists have become expert at spotting those celebrities who have had facial fillers in an attempt to hold off the aging process.

The look has been dubbed the ‘pillow face’ by the press and certainly once you become familiar with this process it does become easier to spot who has had this type of work done.

The results can look good but more often than not fillers can give a person the ‘hamster cheeks’ or ‘chipmunk’ look!

So if you are concerned about your face looking gaunt as you age, perhaps you are naturally slim or maybe you have recently lost a substantial amount of weight, you may be wondering if there is anything you can do to improve the problem?

The good news is that you can plump out your face without the need for expensive cosmetic treatments that require regular upkeep and may spoil your looks rather than enhance them.

A Two-Part Plan For Plumping Up A Gaunt Face

A facial exercise plan combined with a skin-boosting diet is one of the best natural regimes you can follow if you want to plump up a gaunt face.

Below is a list of the top 5 skin foods to include in your diet.

The foods on this list have been chosen for their ability to improve the condition of your skin, helping to keep your complexion looking smooth, plump and glowing.

1. Water – Water is the absolute bedrock for beautiful skin helping to keep you hydrated from within whilst plumping up your skin at the same time. Aim to drink 6 to 8 glasses of pure water per day.

Not only will water help plump out your skin it will also help to improve the problems of dry skin and a sallow complexion.

2. Salmon And Other Oily Fish – Skin experts recommend eating salmon or any of the other oily fish (tuna, mackerel, sardines) around 3 times per week. You’ll be rewarded with plumper looking more youthful looking skin.

Salmon in particular contains high levels of skin-plumping omega 3 oils and is also an excellent source of lean protein – vital for any healthy diet.

You can expect to see an improvement in your skin after around 6 weeks if you eat oily fish 3 times per week.

3. Nuts And Seeds – Nuts and seeds are excellent skin plumping foods as they contain high levels of beneficial good fats. They also contain lots of healthy minerals and anti-oxidants that are good for your skin.

Don’t overdo the nuts and seeds if you are trying to lose weight, however a handful of each once a day will go a long way in helping to achieve that all-important youthful complexion.

4. Sweet Potatoes – Sweet potatoes pack a skin-boosting punch because they are loaded with vitamin C – the vitamin responsible for smoothing out wrinkles.

Vitamin C facilitates collagen production and the more collagen your skin produces the less gaunt and sallow your skin will look.

5. Lycopene Rich Foods – Foods containing lycopene can help to improve the tone, texture and plumpness of your skin.

Choose from tomatoes, watermelon, guava, papaya and pink grapefruit to gain the skin-boosting benefits of lycopene.

Facial Exercises For Targeting A Gaunt Face

Try out the following facial exercises that target the problem of a gaunt face.

When performing these exercises, unless otherwise instructed, make sure you are sitting in a straight-backed chair, keep your shoulders relaxed but do not slouch.

Many experts recommend that you practice facial exercises in front of a mirror so that you can watch yourself and perfect your technique.

Exercise 1

▸ Close your mouth firmly but without tension or ‘clenching’
▸ With your mouth closed blow air into your cheeks to fill them out
▸ Hold for a count of 5
▸ Repeat 10 times

Exercise 2

▸ With your lips slightly parted imagine a line running from the corner of each mouth to the lobe of the corresponding ear

▸ In a series of 5 small pulling moments move the corner of the left side of your mouth out towards your left ear lobe

▸ Hold each move for a count of 5 – to a total of 25 counts over the course of the exercise

▸ Relax and repeat on the right side

▸ Repeat 3 – 5 times on each side

Exercise 3

▸ Suck your cheeks in

▸ Now smile so you can feel the inside of your cheeks resting on your teeth

▸ Hold for a count of 10

▸ Repeat 5 – 10 times

Facial Exercises For Youthful Good Looks

If you are interested in finding out more about how facial exercises can help you to maintain a youthful appearance then take a look at the 30 Day Face Fitness Formula.

This eBook reveals all the secrets and techniques you will need to help gain a younger looking face with a healthy glowing complexion.

How To Get Fuller Lips Naturally With Facial Exercises

Cecil — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:50:46 +0000

How To Get Fuller Lips

Bee-stung lips are all the rage these days with celebrities all over the globe opting for a shot of collagen to the lips to achieve that desirable plump pout.

However many of us don’t have the money to pay for regular collagen injections and lots of us are aware of how wrong this vanity procedure can go.

None of us want to end up with the dreaded ‘trout pout’ look!

The good news is that facial exercises targeting the lips can help to plump up the volume of your lips.

What’s more with facial exercises there are no unpleasant side effects and no long lasting damage to your face, as some people experience with collagen injections.

Just beautiful plump lips naturally sculptured by your own efforts.

So if you’ve ever wondered how to get fuller lips naturally then read on…

Plump Lips Without Surgery

Before beginning facial exercises to target the lips you can try out some of the following helpful hints and tips for the lip area.

By increasing blood flow to your lips it’s possible to make them appear plumper, however the effects of the following will only be temporary.

On the plus side they are far cheaper than resorting to costly collagen injections!

1. When brushing your teeth begin by giving your lips a brush too! It’s probably better to use a separate toothbrush for lip brushing to the one you use to clean your teeth.

Gently rubbing the lips with a toothbrush will help to exfoliate the skin and encourage blood flow to the lips helping them to appear smoother and plumper.

2. Honey can be used to plump up your lips naturally. Applying a light layer of honey to your lips encourages the skin to draw moisture to the surface, giving lips a temporary plumping boost.

Natural and delicious too, just make sure you don’t keep licking the honey off your lips!

3. Some people suggest using concentrated peppermint or cinnamon leaf oil on your lips to increase blood flow and to give them a fuller-looking, healthy glow.

Don’t apply these oils neat to the lips however, add a drop or two to your favorite lip balm or lip gloss pot. These oils are very concentrated, so make sure you use only the tiniest amount, you’ll definitely feel a tingle!

How To Get Plump Lips With Facial Exercises

Facial exercises can help to improve all areas of the face including the lips. When performing them make sure you are relaxed and comfortable, you can sit or stand but try to make sure that your back is straight.

Perform facial exercises in front of your mirror to make sure that you are getting the techniques right and targeting the area you want improve.

For more permanent plumping to the lip area, try out the following facial exercises that target the lips.

Exercise 1

Target the muscles around the mouth with the following exercise to improve your pout. You might feel a little bit silly but have fun with this one. It really helps to work the muscles of the mouth and can help to iron out wrinkles.

➠ Begin by puckering up and pursing your lips, as if you’re about to give someone a kiss

➠ At the same time as you pucker up make an ‘ooooooo’ sound for a count of 5

➠ Next pull your mouth into a big, wide smile, imagine pulling the corners of your mouth out towards your ears, open the mouth as you smile

➠ At the same time as forming the smile make an ‘eeeeeee’ sound for a count of 5

➠ Repeat 10 times

Exercise 2

This next exercise also works the lips in a similar way to the first exercise, by simply reversing the motion, however this time the mouth is kept shut throughout the exercise.

➠ Sit comfortably with your mouth closed, stay relaxed – don’t ‘clamp’ your mouth shut.

➠ Allow your upper and lower teeth to touch gently.

➠ Smile as widely as possible keeping your lips together and mouth shut

➠ Hold for a count of 5

➠ As you release the hold form an O with your lips as if you were about to give someone a kiss

➠ Hold for a count of 5 before releasing

➠ Repeat 10 times

Exercise 3

This exercise plumps up the lips whilst also helping to erase any lines along the upper lip.

➠ Place the thumbs of both hands under the middle of your top lip resting your thumbnails gently against your gums

➠ Very gently pull your upper lip down over your thumbs

➠ Hold for a count of 5 and then release

➠ Repeat the exercise along the whole length of your upper lip

Plumper Lips Can Be Yours

Thin lips are notoriously difficult to plump up without resorting to cosmetic procedures but many people do not want to inject their faces with artificial ingredients and that is more than understandable!

There is a lot than can go wrong when it comes to cosmetic procedures for lips and some people have been left with permanently misshapen, hard and over inflated lips as a result of using collagen injections and other fillers.

Along with some temporary lip plumping measures facial exercises that target the lips can help you to achieve longer lasting results for this difficult area.

Many facial exercises for lips involve working on the lines, creases and wrinkles that can affect this part of the face. By helping to smooth out and plump up the whole area around the mouth the lips will appear firmer and plumper.

And it goes without saying that a natural looking plump pout will look far better than one that has been over inflated or artificially enhanced by adding fillers of any kind!

The 30 Day Face Fitness Formula is packed full of facial exercises that target all areas of the face including the lips.

If a perfect pout and a younger looking face is your goal then look no further!

Facial Exercises For Forehead Wrinkles

Cecil — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:19:35 +0000

Are Forehead Wrinkles A Problem For You?

Many people want to know how to get rid of forehead wrinkles – and with good reason.

The forehead is one of the first places that wrinkles begin to show up, only second to the crow’s feet around the eyes.

What Causes Forehead Wrinkles?

Obviously the usual factors come into play when it comes to wrinkle formation so if you smoke, drink alcohol to excess and indulge in an unhealthy diet you can expect the signs of aging to show up prematurely on your face.

Other factors that are specific to lines on the forehead include:

1. Facial Expressions

Wrinkles on the forehead occur as a natural part of the aging process commonly caused by the breakdown of the skin’s connective tissues and from the variety of facial expressions we use over a lifetime.

Surprise, concern, disbelief – all these emotions are expressed by your forehead!

As you age your skin starts to lose its elasticity and over time this results in deeper lines and grooves forming into permanent wrinkles.

2. Sun Damage

Another reason why lines on the forehead occur is because of sun damage and if you have worn your hair without a fringe over the years or avoided using a facial sunscreen you may be more prone to developing forehead lines.

Fair skin is also more likely to show the effects of skin damage earlier than darker skin types.

Exposure to the sun accelerates the skin aging process as the skins collagen and elastin fibers break down.

The effects are irreversible unless you resort to costly wrinkle relaxing injections or other cosmetic surgery procedures.

3. How You Sleep

Believe or not the position in which you sleep can contribute to the formation of lines on the forehead.

If you always sleep on one side and your face is constantly pressed down into your pillow in that position, you may develop more marked wrinkles and sagging on one side of your face.

The sleeping position to avoid if you want to prevent forehead wrinkles is the face down pose.

This sleeping position works with gravity to drag the skin downwards, combine this with the action of your head pushing into the pillow and what you have is one sure recipe for forehead lines!

Want To Get Rid Of Forehead Wrinkles?

Many people want to know how to get rid of wrinkles on the forehead naturally.

Cosmetic procedures aren’t for everyone and what’s more they’re expensive.

If you’re looking for an easy and inexpensive way to reduce forehead wrinkles then the good news is that facial exercises can help.

So if you want to know how to get rid of forehead lines read on…

Facial Exercises For Forehead Wrinkles

Try out the following facial exercises for forehead wrinkles, to help prevent them forming and to tighten up your skin at the same time.

When performing these exercises, unless otherwise instructed, make sure you are sitting in a straight-backed chair, keep your shoulders relaxed but do not slouch.

Many experts recommend that you practice facial exercises in front of a mirror so that you can watch yourself and perfect your technique.

Exercise 1

• Place the tips of your fingers gently along the top of each eyebrow

• Arch your forehead by trying to raise your eyebrows

• At the same time press your fingers gently to keep your eyebrows in place

• Hold for a count of 5

• Relax your face and then repeat 10 times

Exercise 2

• Lie on your back on your bed

• Allow your head to comfortably hang just over the edge of the bed

• Raise your eyebrows as high as you can

• At the same time open your eyes as wide as possible

• Hold for a count of five

• Relax your face and then repeat 5 – 10 times

Exercise 3

• Gently pinch hold of each eyebrow along the brow bone with your thumb and index finger

• Raise your eyebrows while still holding loosely onto the brow bone

• Use your finger as resistance to push down your eyebrow trying to resist the upward pull

• You should feel a ‘smoothing’ sensation along your forehead as you perform this exercise

• Hold for a count of 5

• Relax your face and repeat 10 times

Exercise 4

• Place your 4 fingertips above your eyebrows to form a horizontal line

• Keeping your eyes closed, slide your fingers out towards your hairline

• Bring your fingers back to the starting position and repeat up to 30 times using a soothing, sweeping motion

Exercise 5

• Start from the center of your forehead

• Using your knuckles gently rub your forehead all over

• Work your way out towards your temples

• Massage for 2 – 3 minutes to relax the forehead and increase the flow of blood to your skin in this area

• This exercise is also soothing and a good way to release tension

Soothe Away Forehead Wrinkles The Natural Way

Facial exercises are a wonderful way to tighten up the skin on your face, hold off the formation of wrinkles and improve the tone and texture of your skin.

Anyone can learn how to perform them and there are exercises to improve every part of your face or that target any of your facial aging concerns – including lines on the forehead.

If you are interested in finding out more about facial exercises and how they can be a powerful anti-aging tool when combined with a healthy lifestyle and a natural skin care regime then look no further than the 30 Day Face Fitness Formula.

This eBook is packed full of information and easy exercises that can be incorporated into your daily regime.

So if you want to get rid of forehead wrinkles naturally and improve your overall appearance, without resorting to expensive cosmetic procedures or beauty treatments then why not give facial exercises a try?

Face Lift Versus Facial Exercise – Why The Natural Way Is Better

Cecil — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 03:59:18 +0000

Want To Look Younger?

We all know that eventually the signs of aging will show up on our faces.

None of us can escape time and even those blessed with excellent genes or those who have meticulously followed all the anti-aging advice to the letter will end up with some degree of sagging and wrinkling somewhere along the line.

When faced with an aging reflection in the mirror one of the first solutions that will spring to mind is cosmetic surgery. Face lift surgery is surely the one, final answer to the problem of facial skin aging?

Well it is certainly one of the answers to the problems of an aging face, however as we all know it comes with a high price tag attached to it.

This not only refers to the financial cost but also to the price an individual pays in terms of surgery and satisfaction.

For many people the high cost of this cosmetic procedure immediately rules it out as a viable option. For others, who may have the money to pay for a face lift, different questions will come to mind.

For example some struggle with the idea of undergoing an unnecessary medical procedure all in the name of vanity.

Some will worry about the results and others may be concerned that by having a facelift they are setting themselves up for a future dedicated to the expense and pain of further cosmetic procedures to keep the original one looking good.

A Natural Face Lift?

Many people, due to their financial situation, simply cannot even consider face lift surgery. So what face lift alternatives are there for people who can’t afford cosmetic surgery but still want to look good as they age?

One of the easiest and most effective forms of non surgical face lift comes in the form of facial exercise.

These exercises target the muscles of the face and can help a person to restore the firmness of their skin, get back its glow, fill in lines and creases and address or prevent skin sagging.

So let’s take a look at the various pros and cons attached to face lift surgery and facial exercises – the non surgical face lift

Face Lift Surgery – Pros

1) If you have the money a face lift is a relatively quick way to improve the look of your face.

2) Many people who have face lift surgery do look younger than their years. However results can vary.

3) After the initial surgery recovery is relatively quick (around 2 weeks) although the full effects of your procedure may not be seen until around 6 – 9 months later.

4) Despite the physical discomfort involved, you will not have to make any ‘effort’ yourself to achieve this result.

You do not have to put time into maintaining the look at first, although many people who have a face lift in their 50s will have another in their 60s.

Face Lift Surgery – Cons

1) The cost – this is an expensive procedure and one face lift may not be enough. In 10 -15 years time you may begin to see skin sagging again and require another nip and tuck.

2) Side effects of a facelift include:

• Pain
• Swelling and bruising lasting up to a month after the procedure
• Altered skin sensations such as numbness
• Scarring
• Changes to your hairline.

3) You will be putting your body through an unnecessary anesthetic and medical procedure. Complications can occur such as:

• Infection
• Skin numbness
• Damage to facial nerves
• Hair loss around the scars created by the procedure
• Deep vein thrombosis or blood clot brought on by the anesthetic

4) A surprising number of people are dissatisfied with the results. While they may feel that their sagging skin has been corrected many feel that their skin now looks pulled, stretched and unnatural.

This can be a particularly common problem around the eyes.

5) A facelift can address sagging skin however it can’t alter the loss of fat and collagen under the skin.

Costly facial fillers and wrinkle removing injections may still be required to achieve the desired look.

6) Face lifts unfortunately do not look natural. It is easy to tell who has had one and this becomes more evident the older you are.

You may have a tight, smooth face but your hands, neck and chest will give you away. Is it maybe better to age well in a more natural way?

Facial Exercises – Pros

1) Facial exercises help you to address the problems of skin aging naturally.

This may not give the immediate dramatic results of a cosmetic face lift but you will improve the tone and texture of your facial skin in the way that works best for the face you have been born with.

You’ll look younger but still look like yourself.

2) Facial exercises are simple and easy to perform; what’s more you do not have to spend a lot of money to learn how to do them.

Once you have learned a facial exercise program you have a powerful anti-aging system for life under your belt.

3) Facial exercise not only tighten sagging skin they help to improve the appearance of the skin. Renewed blood flow and oxygen reach your skin when you exercise and this includes when you exercise the face.

Facial exercises address firmness, wrinkles, sagging and the color and tone of your complexion all in one go.

4) There’s no need for any pain! Facial exercises can be performed safely in the comfort of your own home. No knives, no stitches, no anesthetic just a little effort on your part each day.

5) Some facial exercises target the loss of fat and collagen from beneath your skin that occurs as a part of the aging process.

It is possible to plump up hollow cheeks, plump up lips that have thinned with age and fill out the nasal-labial lines that occur from nose to mouth.

6) Facial exercises encourage you to accept the aging process rather than fight against it totally.

None of us can win the war against aging, even the best face lifts look somewhat unnatural, but with facial exercises you can look your very best whatever your age in a way that suits your face.

Facial Exercises – Cons

1) A natural face lift does not come without some effort on your part. You will need to be patient and spend time learning and performing the exercises.

2) Facial exercises have a cumulative effect. This means that unlike a cosmetic face lift you won’t see the results of your efforts immediately.

With time however the changes to your face and skin tone can be quite dramatic.

Naturally Younger Looking Without The Pain

Many people who practice facial exercises successfully are regularly told they look younger than their age.

A facial exercise program encourages you to work with the face you have, rather than try to stretch it beyond all recognition in a flawed attempt to look younger.

Facial exercises = more beautiful, graceful aging.

At only a fraction of the price of a cosmetic face lift, the 30 Day Face Fitness Formula gives you all the exercises you’ll need to know to tighten up your skin and gain a healthy, younger-looking glow.

Rejuvenate Your Face with Facial Exercises for Droopy Eyelids

rodney — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 05:39:37 +0000

Paris Hilton with a drooping left eyelid

Drooping Eyelids?

The eyes have it, or so the say, but the fact remains that as we age the skin around our eyes is one of the first places to show the signs of aging.

Droopy eyes can give your appearance a ‘tired all the time’ look that may not reflect your overall state of health or your positive attitude towards life.

Nothing will age you more than tired, droopy looking features and people may even perceive you to be sad or miserable when in fact you feel perfectly fine!

What Causes Droopy Eyelids?

As the skin around the eyes loses elasticity you may develop droopy eyelids or sagging eyelids, with loose folds of skin on the upper eyelids exacerbating the problem.

Muscles around the eyes also slacken as we age and this may cause the fatty tissue that surrounds the eyes to expand and bulge forward. This in turn gives your lower eyelids a ‘baggy’ appearance.

Oxidative stress is another major cause of skin sagging. It often occurs as a result of a poor diet that is too high in processed foods, fat and sugar and lacking in fresh fruits, vegetables and low-fat sources of protein.

The result of a poor diet can show up around the eyes as sagging eyelids, dull pallor and puffy eye bags.

The best way to tackle oxidative stress is to eat a healthy diet that contains a high amount of raw foods that are rich in anti-oxidants.

Give Yourself A Non-Surgical Eyelid Lift – Facial Exercises For Droopy Eyelids

Our eyes are such an important feature when it comes to our appearance because they provide a focal point for others when we communicate with them. Unfortunately time and gravity are no friends of the eyes.

It makes sense then that many people want to improve and rejuvenate the skin around the eye area.

Luckily facial exercises can help us to achieve the younger looking appearance we all want so much. Drooping eyelids can be prevented and improved with facial exercises that target the upper eyelids and eyebrows.

The Connection between Droopy Eyelids and Droopy Eyebrows

Something that can accelerate the appearance of droopy upper eyelids is the fact that as we age, our eyebrows also begin to sag and drop down the face.

Weakened forehead muscles are responsible for the sagging of the eyebrows. Performing facial exercises that use the upper eye muscles can strengthen this area and improve drooping of the eyelids by naturally lifting the eyebrows.

How to Do Facial Exercises

Perform facial exercises either standing or sitting comfortably, keep your shoulders relaxed and try not to create any tension within your body.

Practicing in front of a mirror is a good way to see which muscles you are using and to make sure that you are targeting the correct facial muscle groups.

Exercise 1

To Strengthen The Forehead And Lift The Eyebrows

1. Relax your forehead

2. Place your three middle fingers from each hand under each eyebrow with the pads of your fingers lined up along the lower part of the eyebrow

3. Relax the palms of your hands down towards your face – no need to keep them sticking out at an angle

4. Gently push your eyebrows upwards with your three fingertips

5. Push as high as possible and then gently extend the stretch outwards towards the temples, keeping your eyes wide open

6. Hold this position for a count of five

7. Next push down with your forehead muscles to create a resistance with your fingertips and hold for a further count of five

8. Relax and then repeat the exercise 5 – 10 times

Exercise 2

To Strengthen The Muscles Of The Eyebrow Area

1. Raise your eyebrows as high as possible

2. Open your eyes as wide as possible and hold for a count of five

3. Slowly lower your eyebrows and relax

4. Repeat 5 – 10 times

Exercise 3

To Strengthen And Tone The Delicate Eyelid Area

1. Close your eyes

2. Place the index finger of each hand across each eyelid

3. Keep your elbows lifted and out to the sides of your body

4. Apply gentle pressure with the pads of your index fingers to your eyelids

5. With pressure still applied try to open your eyes to a count of five

6. Repeat 5 – 10 times

The Upper Eyelids

The levator palpebral muscle controls the upper eyelids and targeting this muscle is very important if you wish to prevent and improve the appearance of droopy upper eyelids.

Exercise 4

To Strengthen Droopy Upper Eyelids

1. Place your index finger under your eyebrows so you can feel the brow bone

2. Holding firmly slowly close your eyes

3. You should feel a gentle pull from the eyebrow through to the eyelid

4. Now squeeze the eyelids more tightly together to create a stronger pull

5. Hold for a count of five

6. Relax your eyes and repeat 5 times

Exercise 5

To Lift The Upper Eyelids

1. Gently place the four fingertips on each hand just below the eyebrows

2. Slowly push up until you can feel the brow bones beneath the pads of your fingers

3. To a count of five gradually move your upper eyelids downwards until your eyes are closed

4. Hold for a count of five then gradually release your lids to a count of three

5. Relax your eyes and then repeat 5 times

Open Up Your Eyes for a More Youthful Appearance

Eye exercises along with a healthy lifestyle, wholesome diet and adequate rest can really help to improve the appearance of the skin around your eyes.

The 30-Day Face Fitness Formula Program gives you lots of techniques and helpful hints to help you target this common problem area.

What’s more the program offers plenty of advice and practical exercises you can learn to improve the tone and appearance of your whole face.

Facial exercises are a simple, effective and inexpensive way to stay in charge of the way your face ages over time.

The Effects Of Weight Loss On Your Facial Skin and How Facial Exercises Can Help

rodney — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:21:49 +0000

Weight Loss and Your Skin

If you have managed to lose excess weight recently then very well done to you!

Weight loss can do wonders for your body and for your skin if you have been following a healthy, nutritious diet to lose weight.

However there is a common problem that can occur when a reasonable amount of weight and fat is lost from the body.

Many people who lose weight feel fantastic about the way their body looks but they may be less happy about the effects weight loss can have on their faces.

Weight loss can leave you with a face that appears older. This is because fat plumps out the skin. When weight is lost skin that may have stretched because of weight gain has nowhere to go and this leads to sagging of the skin.

On the face this is particular noticeable around the bottom half. So jowls may appear and your neck may develop the dreaded ‘turkey neck’ look.

If you only needed to lose a small amount of weight then it’s possible that you have not experienced the problem of facial aging from weight loss. It usually only occurs when a lot of weight is lost.

Rapid Weight Gain

Another way facial aging is accelerated is when weight gain occurs too quickly.

If we rapidly gain weight our skin is less able to adapt, stretch marks can occur and the skin may be damaged, sagging and hanging in loose folds. With slower or gradual weight gain the skin stretches overtime and is less likely to be damaged.

As we are all aware wrinkles form as a natural part of the aging process however rapid weight loss can accelerate the formation of wrinkles. As fat cells are lost the ‘cushioning’ effect they provide is also lost and as well as sagging this can lead to creasing and wrinkling.

So What Can You Do?

Firstly rapid weight loss and weight gain are to be avoided at all costs but if you suffer from facial sagging as a result of rapid weight loss or weight gain you may be wondering if you are stuck with a sagging face forever.

Regaining the weight isn’t an option so what can you do to improve the tone and condition of your skin?

Facial Exercises Can Help You

This is where facial exercises can really work their magic. Facial exercises tone and strengthen all the muscles of your face and neck. Blood circulation improves which in turn helps to plump out the skin and improve the appearance of the complexion.

Three of the most common facial skin problems that occur after weight loss are:

Wrinkles (crow’s feet) around the eyes become more prominent
Jowls appear
The neck sags and creases giving a ‘turkey neck’ appearance

Here are some FREE facial exercises to help you improve the appearance of your skin after weight loss. For all exercises sit or stand in a comfortable position keeping your back straight and shoulders back but relaxed.

Facial Exercises for Eye Wrinkles

It is difficult but not impossible to minimize the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes. Facial exercises that target this area work on lifting and toning the orbicularis oculi muscle that surrounds the whole eye area.

By exercising this area you can prevent drooping eyelids and brows, a problem that instantly ages your appearance.

The increased blood flow to the area that occurs when you exercise your face muscles will also help to ‘plump up’ the eye area.

When you exercise the eye area it’s important to be very gentle as the skin here is thinner than in other parts of the face and very delicate.

Exercise 1

This exercise strengthens the muscles around the eyes helping to lift and tone.

Close your eyes
Place the index finger of both hands onto each eyelid (left to left, right to right)
Squeeze the eyes as tightly as possible and count to 5
Now remove your fingers and open the eyes as wide as possible
Next rapidly move your eyes from side to side 5 times – do not move the head just the eyeballs
Relax the eye area and repeat 5–10 times

Exercise 2

This exercise directly targets the crow’s feet wrinkles around the eyes

Place the middle and ring fingers over the outside corner of each eye where crows feet wrinkles occur
Very gently pull the corners of the eyes outwards towards the temple to a count of 5
After the count of 5 close the eyes tightly
Repeat 5-10 times

Facial Exercises for Jowls

The appearance of sagging jowls is a common problem that occurs with weight loss. The following exercises target the jowl area helping to firm up, lift and tone this area.

Exercise 1

This exercise helps to reduce jaw line sagging and bagginess.

With one hand hold the jowl on one side of your face with the middle and index finger – left hand to right jowl and vice versa is the most comfortable way to do this
With your other hand use the padded area at the base of your thumb on the palm side to lift the skin in this area upwards
Start in the middle of the chin and work along the jaw line out towards the ears
Repeat 3 times
Repeat on the other side

Exercise 2

This exercise is more of a massage technique than a facial exercise but it can be quite effective for jowls as it encourages the effective circulation of lymph throughout the body. This can reduce sagging and puffiness along the jaw line.

Place your index and middle fingers behind the ears
Massage gently in a downwards direction, circular motion

Facial Exercises for the Neck

The skin of the neck is, like the skin around the eyes, very delicate. This area is prone to creasing and a crepe-like appearance but weight loss can aggravate the problem.

Exercise 1

This exercise works on the front of the neck to combat the dreaded ‘turkey neck’ effect.

Tilt your head back and look upwards to a point in front of you and not directly above your head
Push out your lower lip and bring it up over the top lip towards the nose so you feel a stretch in the jaw and neck muscles
Hold for a count of 5.
Release and relax your head back down
Repeat 5-10 times

Exercise 2

This exercise targets the throat, upper neck and jaw line to promote a lifting effect.

Tilt your head upwards towards the ceiling

With your lips together pucker the lips as if about to give a kiss
Push your lips out further and maintain the kissing action
Hold for a count of 10
Relax and lower your head back to centre
Repeat 5 times

More Help to Recapture a Younger Looking You

It can be devastating to find that with weight loss comes facial aging. For once you have a younger looking body but you may have been left with an older looking face.

However help is at hand with the 30 Day Face Fitness Formula which is packed full of facial exercises that can help you to firm up your skin and say goodbye wrinkles and sagginess.

Facial Exercises for a More Attractive Nose

rodney — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 11:07:17 +0000

Love the Nose You Were Born With

When it comes to the nose there’s not a great deal that can be done with the one you have been born with.

Chubby cheeks and double chins can be refined by losing weight and facial exercises can help to lift, shape and tone the whole face, however it would seem that there is nothing that can be done naturally to reshape the nose…

The only option for radically reshaping the nose is cosmetic surgery and for many people this isn’t a possibility because of the financial cost or because they simply do not want to put themselves through unnecessary surgery.

Your Nose as You Age

As we age almost all parts of our bodies are affected by a lifetime of gravity and this includes the nose.

The nose may begin to droop as a part of the aging process and the tip can appear to bulge more so than it did in the past. This bulging of the nose is generally more of a problem for men.

Many people have heard the myth that the nose is the one part of the body that keeps growing all of our lives.

Thankfully this is just a myth but gravity can change the appearance of the nose as we age and this may be why some people believe that the nose keeps on growing throughout our lifetime.

As it is with the skin on other parts of the face and body, collagen and elastin break down as we get older. Skin begins to lose its suppleness and strength and gravity takes its inevitable toll.

Help Is On Hand

Many people wonder if it is possible to reshape the nose with facial exercises and the good news is that it is possible. Results will be subtle but many people have managed to change the shape of their nose with a dedicated facial fitness program.

What’s more refining the nose with facial exercises leaves you with the nose you were born with – you will still look like you with just a better shape to your nose.

Cosmetic surgery for the nose doesn’t always improve the face in the way a person hoped for and some people are left disappointed, not to mention out of pocket, after shelling out lots of money for cosmetic nose surgery.

Facial exercises can help to improve the shape of the nose, tone the skin in this area and help you to maintain a youthful appearance.

Exercise 1

Alternate nostril breathing is an ancient exercise for the nose that is found in many yoga practices.

An article in the New York Times in 2007 suggested that alternate nostril breathing could sculpt the nose and make a wide nose appear narrower.

This is a wonderful and calming breathing exercise that is easy to perform.

1. Sit comfortably in a straight-backed chair

2. Put your right thumb to the right side of your nose and close off the right nostril.

3. Breathe in through the left nostril to a count of 3 and hold for a count of 1

4. With your index finger close off the left nostril while releasing your thumb from the right nostril and then breathe out through the right nostril

5. Try to exhale for double the amount of time you inhaled, so in this case for a count of 8 – you can reduce the counts to a 3:6 ratio if preferred

6. Breathe in through the right nostril and then close with the thumb for the same count as before

7. Release the left nostril and breathe out through it again doubling the count from 4 to 8

8. This is one set and you can repeat the sets up to 10 times

Exercise 2

This exercise helps to narrow and refine the nose.

1. Put your middle fingers into the inside corners of either eye

2. Put your ring fingers directly besides the middle fingers on the sides of your nose

3. Now wrinkle your nose and feel the muscles in the area tense up

4. Try to ‘smooth out’ wrinkles by sliding your fingers down each side of the nose for a count of 5 but do not unwrinkled your nose – keep the muscles tense

5. Repeat up to 10 times

Exercise 3

The nasolabial folds are the lines that run from the side of the nose to the corners of the mouth, they become more apparent as we age.

Facial exercises that target these lines can also help to improve the appearance of the nose.

1. Put the index and middle fingers of both hands on either side of your mouth

2. Gently pull your hands outwards to stretch the skin in the direction of your ears

3. Holding the stretch and pucker your lips into a pout

4. Hold the stretch and pucker to a count of 10

5. Repeat 10 times

Improve the Shape of Your Nose – Improve Your Whole Face

Facial exercises are an easy, fun and effective way to reshape your face and look the best you can whatever your age. There are exercises to target all the problem areas of the face that show the signs of aging.

What’s more facial exercise brighten up your complexion as well as firming up your skin.

The 30 Day Face Fitness Formula program shows you how you can easily achieve a brighter, younger looking face through facial exercises.

Bodybuilding for Your Face – Facial Exercises for Men

rodney — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 14:12:00 +0000

Men Want To Look Good Too

Guys who want to look their best as they age are increasingly viewing facial exercises for men as a viable alternative to invasive cosmetic surgery.

Many people wrongly assume that facial exercises are just for women but the fact is they are good for anyone, male or female.

The basic physiology of the face is the same for both sexes and this is why face exercises can work as successfully for men as they do for women.

Perhaps the notion of vanity also factors in the reason people assume face exercises are purely the domain of women. Men are not supposed to be so pre-occupied with their appearance although this view is now thankfully changing.

Men vs. Women In The War Against Aging

It is unfortunately almost always true that men seem to age better than women. Men generally get fewer wrinkles than women as they age and there are a number of reasons for this based on scientific facts.

Men Have Thicker Skin – The top layer of a man’s skin is around 25% thicker than women’s skin. A woman’s thinner skin leaves her more susceptible to wrinkling.
Men’s Skin Has Higher Collagen Content – Collagen is an extracellular protein found in the skin and men produce more of it than women do. Quite simply more collagen equals less wrinkling. Women are also at a disadvantage as the onset of menopause results in the further loss of collagen and their skin becomes even thinner as they age.
Men’s Skin Is Oilier – Men’s skin produces more natural oils that help to protect the skin from dryness and keep it supple.

Men and Cosmetic Surgery

So it seems that men do have an advantage over women as they age but this does not mean they are completely off the hook, sagging and drooping can still occur and jowls and double chins can easily appear.

Research suggests that men are reluctant to go the whole way and indulge themselves in cosmetic surgery for the face as they age.

Certainly some men are using anti-wrinkle injections to smooth out craggy facial wrinkles but a lot of men still see cosmetic surgery as a ‘female thing.’

Face Exercises for Men

Of course plenty of men still want to look their best and firm and tone their faces. Facial exercises are a quick and easy way to improve the overall appearance of your face and complexion.

What’s more face exercises can be performed privately so no one need know your secret should you be concerned about appearing vain! As we all know the gossip columns regularly poke fun at male celebrities who have had obvious work done on their faces.

Face exercises are simply an extension of working out – view them as bodybuilding for the face! We all know the benefits that working out has for our bodies so why not perform exercises for your face to keep it as toned and honed as your body?

Facial Exercise vs. Cosmetic surgery

Cosmetic procedures may seem like a quick fix to the problem of an aging face and many people look good after a facelift. However your skin still ages even when you have had work done so you may find you need to repeat an expensive procedure 5 years down the line.

Too much Botox or filler on top of a face lift can lead to an odd distorted appearance and this can be very obvious to they eye – especially when work has been done on a male.

You may have a smooth complexion but bulging, puffiness and the ‘wax dummy’ look are all too common with facial cosmetic procedures for men.

Plus men look better with a bit of character to their faces as they age. Call it wisdom, call it experience but nothing beats an older gentleman with a bright and lively complexion and a few character lines here and there.

It is simply facial sagging, drooping and puffiness that need to be worked on and this is where facial exercises for men become a powerful alternative to cosmetic surgery.

Appearance Is Important

Older men who look good with powerful looking, toned features are more likely to fit in socially and in the work place. Rightly or wrongly looking tired and droopy with a permanent browbeaten expression can affect the way people think about you.

Women have known this for years, which is why the world has a booming beauty industry aimed at women. We are all judged on appearance so looking the best you can is important for anyone – male or female.

How Men Can Look Younger the Natural Way

Face exercises can help any man achieve a commanding, younger looking face and boost his confidence in all areas of life.

The 30 Day Face Fitness Formula shows you how to get firmer and stronger looking features easily and naturally with no need for expensive and painful cosmetic procedures.

Facial Exercises to Prevent Stress Wrinkles and Lines

rodney — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 05:27:41 +0000

Stress

Stress is generally viewed as something that is bad for our health on many levels but it’s important to know that there is a difference between good stress and bad stress.

Good stress – A certain amount of stress can challenge us and help us to use our problem solving skills.

Nervous energy can be channeled positively into achieving goals and accomplishing tasks.

When we come through a stressful situation we may find that we have grown in wisdom and maturity – we can become stronger, more knowledgeable and better equipped to handle life’s stresses and strains in the future.

Bad stress – Chronic ongoing stress however is not so good for us and if it goes on for too long can lead to ill health.

Too much stress can make us feel out of control and exhausted and may lead to medical conditions such as high blood pressure.

Stress and Your Body

When we are stressed our bodies produce more of the ‘fight or flight’ hormones adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol. These are the hormones that prepare your body for physical exertion by increasing the heart rate and releasing fatty acids and glucose into the bloodstream.

For our hunter-gatherer ancestors this was a necessary function as it helped them when fighting rival tribesmen or when faced by wild animals.

However there’s not much need for this now and excessive amounts of unreleased stress hormones circulating the bloodstream can lead to premature aging of the body and the skin.

Symptoms of Stress

If you are suffering from ongoing stress you may experience some of the following common symptoms:

High blood pressure
Panic attacks
Hyperventilation
Skin problems – spots, eczema, psoriasis
Headaches
Insomnia
Depression
Loss of appetite or increased comfort eating
Hair loss or poor condition of your hair
Loss of libido
Irritability
Loss of sense of humor or feeling less sociable
Confusion, forgetfulness and clouded thinking
Low self-esteem

If you have any of the above symptoms it is important to consult your doctor to find out if you have any other underlying problem however there is much you can do yourself to cope if your symptoms are a direct result of stress.

Self-Help for Stress

There are lots of ways you can manage the stress in your life, such as talking things over with a supportive and trusted friend, family member or colleague or trying to delegate more if it is work that is the cause of your stress.

Other Stress-Busting Tips Include

Exercise – Any form of exercise will increase the production of the naturally occurring feel-good chemicals known as endorphins in your body. Swimming, running, cycling, walking in fresh air, the gym or any other sport or physical activity you can think of will help.

Massage – If you can afford it getting a massage is a wonderful way to relax and release built up tension. If you have a willing partner who will help you out by giving you a massage all the better!

Yoga – Yoga is a relaxing way to release stressful emotions and bodily tension. The exercises stretch your body and work on the internal organs promoting peace and harmony of mind, body and spirit.

Avoid Caffeinated Drinks – Caffeine is even more of a problem than usual during times of stress as it is a stimulant and can raise your heart rate and exacerbate feelings of anxiety and worry. Stick to herbal teas and other caffeine free beverages.

Eat Stress-Busting Foods – The amino acid tryptophan can be helpful in the production of serotonin a chemical produced in the brain that produces feel-good emotions.

Tryptophan is found naturally in turkey, peanuts, tofu and sesame seeds and is absorbed by the brain more efficiently when eaten with foods rich in carbohydrates.

Opt for low fat, sugar and salt free crackers, whole grain bread and rice combined with a trytophan rich food for a healthy snack. High quality peanut butter or tahini (sesames seed paste) on toast is ideal.

Stress and Your Skin

As mentioned earlier high levels of fatty acids and glucose can remain in the bloodstream because our response to stress is different to that of our ancestors – in other words we no longer need to run for or fight for our lives.

This can prematurely damage the skin via a process called protein glycation. The process of protein glycation occurs when excess glucose in the body binds to proteins causing the skin to become damaged as collagen fibers and other connective tissue is affected.

Stress and Your Face

Chronic stress can affect your skin in a number of ways and this can affect how you look. Feelings of anxiety and tension will be held in your face and the presence of stress may lead to other skin damaging problems such as insomnia.

Lack of sleep inhibits the renewal and repair of your skin cells and can give you a dull, pale complexion.

Furthermore when we are stressed we are more likely to turn to those well-known skin enemies overeating, alcohol and cigarettes as an emotional crutch.

Overeating can lead to facial weight gain and puffiness and sugary and fatty foods, which are the most comforting when we are stressed, can lead to a dull or spotty complexion.

Some people find they can’t eat when they are stressed and may be missing out on essential nutrients, this will show up on the skin. Rapid weight loss resulting in skin sagginess may also be a problem.

Facial Exercises and Stress

It is important to tackle the source of your stress in the first place and try out the recommended tips for improving the way you deal with stress.

If however your face is showing the signs of stress facial exercises can be very helpful when it comes to preventing and minimizing stress wrinkles and lines.

For Stress Wrinkles around the Eyes

The thin delicate skin around the eyes is one of the first areas to show the signs of stress wrinkles. This exercise works on the orbicularis oculi muscle that surrounds the entire eye and can help to repair and prevent crow’s feet.

▸ Sit comfortably or lie down

▸ Place the index and middle fingers over the crow’s feet

▸ Close your eyes and at the same time very gently pull the corners of your eyes out towards your hairline

▸ Hold for a count of 5

▸ Repeat 10 times

For Stress Wrinkles on the Forehead

Stress wrinkles will also show up on your forehead particularly if you frown often. The following two exercises will help you to target the forehead and brow.

Forehead Exercise 1

This exercise uses resistance to get your forehead muscles working.

▸ Sit comfortably in a straight-backed chair and close your eyes

▸ Place one or two fingers lightly over your eyebrows

▸ Gently apply pressure with your finger

▸ With pressure still applied raise your eyebrows

▸ Hold the raise for a count of 5 then release

▸ Repeat 10 times

Forehead Exercise 2

This exercise will also help to minimize and prevent forehead wrinkles.

▸ Lie flat on your back on a bed

▸ Hang your head over the edge of the bed

▸ Open your eyes wide and raise your eyebrows as high as possible

▸ Hold for a count of 5

▸ Release and repeat 10 times

More Help for Stress Wrinkles and Lines

If stress is showing up on your face, facial exercises can help to improve and repair any damage. What’s more practicing facial exercises is fun and when you see the results you’ll get a boost to your self-confidence.

The 30 Day Facial Fitness Program shows you how to perform facial exercises that can target the problem of stress lines and wrinkles and give you back a healthier looking, happy face.

Facial Exercises for Frown Lines

rodney — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 03:55:06 +0000

Don’t Worry Be Happy

Frown lines are the wrinkles that occur between your eyebrows and around the corners of the mouth and lips.

A frown line generally appears when we express negative emotions such as anger, concern or of course when we frown.

They are usually first seen as two vertical lines in between your eyebrows.

Locating the Frown Muscles

The muscles we use to frown are called the corrugator supercilli muscles and if we are worried or want to express our concern these dynamic muscles are the ones we contract to convey that emotion.

The corrugator muscle is a horizontal portion along the forehead that is responsible for pulling our eyebrows inwards and wrinkling the forehead vertically.

Over time and with frequent use this muscle is responsible for the two vertical skin creases that appear between the brows and extend above the height of the brows.

Frown lines are sometimes referred to as glabella lines and these are the second set of lines that form in this area, appearing obliquely but separately from the vertical frown lines.

As we age, years of making the same facial expressions – combined with the general thinning of the skin associated with aging – contribute to frown line formation.

The frown lines develop into permanent creases that remain visible even when we aren’t expressing any emotion. Frown lines between the eyes are usually the first to appear, followed by frown lines around the mouth.

Filling the Gap But At What Cost?

Some people resort to Botox or fillers to resolve the problem of frown lines but for many people this isn’t possible. Not everyone can keep up with the expensive costs related to these treatments and many more people simply do not want to fill their faces with chemical substances.

Your face cannot be hidden and if something goes wrong with a surgical procedure you may be left with devastating results that could affect your confidence and indeed your whole life.

Plus many of us simply want to look the best we can for our age, frozen features cannot express everyday emotions such as love, concern and happiness and so the natural approach to aging becomes the obvious path to take.

Soothing Frown Lines the Natural Way

There are a few easy and simple things you can do to help prevent the formation of frown lines.

1) Use Sunscreen And Wear Sunglasses – Applying a sunscreen that is suitable for the face is the best way to avoid sun damage to the delicate facial skin.

Sunglasses worn when you are in bright sunlight will stop you from frowning and squinting when the sun is in your eyes, repeatedly scrunching up your face as a result of sun glare can accelerate the formation of frown lines.

2) Eat Healthily – We are what we eat and a healthy diet rich in essential vitamins and minerals will go a long way in helping to keep your skin younger looking.

Fresh fruit and vegetables combined with lean protein and healthy grains will help to maintain your general health, as well as the health of your skin. Vitamin supplements can also be useful as can making sure you drink enough water to keep your skin looking plump and hydrated.

3) Avoid Stress And Get Enough Sleep – Our skin will suffer if we do not get adequate sleep. Sleep rejuvenates the skin so aim for 7 to 8 hours per night.

The signs of stress can show up on our skin prematurely aging us so try to avoid stress and practice soothing techniques such as meditation or yoga if you are prone to stress.

4) Massage Your Forehead – Massing the forehead and the part of your face near to the brows can help to relieve any tension and stress in this area that may be showing up on your face.

By simply giving yourself a quick facial massage you can soothe tired looking skin and help yourself to feel better in general. Use an oil blend specifically suited to the facial skin for added benefits. Here’s how:

Begin with the scalp as this is an area prone to tension. Place your fingers on your scalp and make firm but gentle circular movements.
Next place the palm of your hand along the top of the hairline and tilt your head forwards and look down. Your hand acting as slight resistance. You should feel a slight stretch in the skin on your forehead.
After this place your thumbs on your temples and your index fingers on the temples on either side of your head. Gently push your thumbs outwards and your index finger upwards to stretch the skin.
Finally place fingertips from both of your hands above and below one of the lines on your forehead. Very gently pull the skin so it becomes taut over the line.

5) Exercise Your Face – Facial exercises are a simple, natural and effective way to help reduce frown lines. Practiced over time they can lift and tone your skin and prevent further lines and wrinkles from forming.

Facial Exercise for Frown Lines between the Eyes

• Place the index and middle fingers of both of your hands directly above your eyebrows

• Very gently push the brows downwards but at the same time use the muscles of your forehead to try to raise the eyebrows

• Use your fingers to increase the resistance but be careful not to drag your skin too much

• Repeat 10 times and perform 5 sets of 10

Facial Exercise for Frown Lines around the Mouth

• With your mouth closed pull the upper and lower lips in slightly but don’t purse the too much – keep the mouth relaxed

• Blow air inside your mouth so it fills the area surrounding your mouth – don’t puff the cheeks with air

• Hold for a count of five

• Repeat 10 times

Facial exercises are an easy way to improve the appearance of frown lines that occur between the brows or around the mouth.

The 30 Day Facial Fitness Program shows you further exercises to help this common problem area and also many other exercises that will help you to tone, lift and revitalize your whole face.