Face lifts - the workout way
| Published: 31st July 2008 11:24 |
Let's face it - nobody wants to get wrinkles, saggy skin and floppy jowls. Not many people want to go under the knife either. So what can you do?
There are high-tech lotions and potions that help to tighten your skin and reduce fine lines. There are antioxidant and enzyme supplements that help your skin to regenerate, but there is another way you can help. Your facial skin, like any other skin on your body, is laid over a network of muscles. By toning these muscles underneath, you can firm up the slack and stay more youthful for longer.
The 16 major muscles on you face suffer the effects of time. They lose tone and volume and result in an inability to support your skin efficiently. As they lose volume, you are left with excess skin that is itself stretching as it loses elasticity.
By regularly doing some simple toning exercises, you can help to firm the contours and help to defy gravity by building and firming the muscles underneath. Exercise also stimulates blood flow in the muscles and surrounding tissues, so the skin receives a better supply of regenerating oxygen and blood.
Daily workouts
Forehead
Place the fingers of both hands flat horizontally against your forehead with the index finger in the hairline and little finger against the brows.
Press firmly against the bone, gently pulling the skin upwards and out.
Slowly move your brows down and close your eyes without frowning.
Hold for a count of five, relax and repeat five times.
Saggy eyelids
Place your index fingers under the brow bones.
Press gently and upwards to provide resistance as you slowly close your lids tight.
Hold for ten seconds, relax and repeat five times.
Pouting lips
Place the tip of one finger between your lips.
Press your lips together but don't pout.
Now remove your finger, but push down with your top lip as if it were still there.
Hold this tension for 10 seconds, relax and repeat five times.
Jowls
Using the vowel sounds, say out loud an exaggerated A, E, I, O and U. Take at least five seconds to say each, opening and closing the mouth slowly.
Repeat the sequence five times.
Turkey neck
Turn your head to one side, open your mouth and scoop the lower lip over the top lip.
Hold for three seconds, relax and repeat five times each side.
Repeat the above exercise but this time look forwards and tilt the head back slightly. At the same time, curl the tip of your tongue, pressing it against the roof of your mouth.
Hold for three seconds, relax and repeat five times.
Repeat the second exercise but don't push your tongue against the roof of your mouth. Instead smile while scooping your lower lip over top teeth.
Hold for three seconds, relax and repeat five times.
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