According to regenerative aesthetics doctor Dr Hansel Misquitta, facial exercises exist in a scientific grey area. She explains that when performed correctly, they can provide small, gradual improvements, but they are far from a miracle solution.
Some early research suggests that targeted muscle training may increase muscle thickness and slightly improve facial structure. However, face workouts are not a replacement for cosmetic procedures. Think of them as Pilates for the face: helpful for tone, posture, and awareness, but not transformative.
What Facial Workouts Can — and Can’t — Do
However, she is clear about the limitations. Facial exercises will not erase wrinkles, tighten loose skin, or lift sagging tissue.
“Facial exercises don’t rebuild collagen, replace lost fat, or reverse gravity,” she says. “You can’t out-exercise biology. At best, you’re strengthening the scaffolding, not rebuilding the structure.”
The main benefits come from increased circulation, lymphatic drainage, and subtle muscle engagement.
This is also why skincare remains just as important as facial exercises. Healthy skin enhances any visible improvement. As Misquitta puts it, “skin quality determines whether muscle tone looks fresh or simply tense.”
She advises using a daily broad-spectrum SPF to protect the skin long-term, along with a nourishing, barrier-supporting moisturiser to help the skin adapt to routine changes.
Where Results Are Most Noticeable
“The cheeks, lower face, and jawline usually show the most visible changes,” says Misquitta. These are the only facial muscles capable of hypertrophy, although the process is slow and modest compared to body muscles.
Other areas are far less responsive. Under-eye hollows, temple volume loss, forehead lines, and deep folds are mainly caused by bone structure and fat changes, not muscle weakness.
“Trying to fix under-eye hollows with facial yoga is like trying to fix a flat tyre by massaging it,” she explains.
The Most Effective Exercises — and How Often to Do Them
“The most effective exercises are controlled, subtle, and unglamorous,” says Misquitta. “This isn’t about pulling faces or scrunching skin. If you are, you’re training wrinkles instead of muscles.”
Cheek Resistance
Start with a gentle cheek-resistance movement. Hold a soft, relaxed smile and place your fingertips lightly on the fleshy part of your cheeks. As you lift the cheeks, use your fingers to create slight resistance. You should feel the muscles working beneath the skin, without deep creases around the eyes or mouth. If creasing appears, reduce the effort. This exercise supports the mid-face and helps improve tone over time.
Tongue-to-Palate Press
Press your tongue firmly against the roof of your mouth, just behind the front teeth. At the same time, gently lengthen the neck and lift the chin slightly. Hold for a few seconds, then relax. When done consistently, this movement supports lower-face posture and mild muscle tone without jaw strain.
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Lip Resistance
For the muscles around the mouth, keep your lips closed naturally and place two fingers lightly over them. Press the lips together while your fingers provide minimal resistance. The motion should be smooth and controlled, avoiding puckering or scrunching. If chin dimpling or deep lines appear, the pressure is too strong.
Practising for five to ten minutes, four to five times a week, is sufficient. “More isn’t better,” Misquitta notes. “Overdoing facial exercises is like overdoing crunches — you don’t get results faster, you just create strain.”
Subtle changes may appear after six to eight weeks, with the most noticeable results around three to four months.
Tools vs Technology: What Makes a Real Difference?
With so many beauty tools on the market, it’s hard to separate effective treatments from marketing hype. Are microcurrent devices truly better than traditional tools like gua sha?
Misquitta explains that some at-home microcurrent devices, much like gua sha, can stimulate lymphatic flow. They may also temporarily activate muscle contractions.
“They can create a mild lifting effect that lasts from hours to a few days,” she says. “Think of it like a supportive bra for the face — helpful and temporary, but not structural.”
Early data suggests improved muscle tone and some dermal remodelling, but these treatments still do not offer permanent results. “They are not a replacement for surgery — just targeted muscle stimulation with early evidence and strong marketing.”
“Daily sunscreen is essential,” she says. “Retinoids support collagen production and skin texture over time, while a simple moisturiser that protects the skin barrier is enough.”
When Face Yoga Isn’t a Good Idea
“Anyone with active inflammatory skin conditions, jaw joint issues, recent facial surgery, or newly placed fillers should avoid facial exercises or seek medical guidance first,” Misquitta advises.
It’s also possible to overtrain facial muscles. Warning signs include jaw pain, headaches, tightness, deepening expression lines, or ongoing muscle fatigue.
