Face exercises to lift sagging cheeks?

by Chris
(New Jersey)

Exercises to Plump Up Cheeks

Can facial exercise really lift my sagging cheeks?

When I was younger my cheeks looked fuller and more lifted. But now they seem sort of flattened.

Are there any face exercises that work to lift or plump up sagging cheeks?

I've seen some facial exercises online and frankly, they scare me because there is a lot of skin pulling and pushing going on and I’m afraid I’ll make matters worse.

Editor's Note:

Hi Chris,

Good question! I understand your concern about all that pulling and stretching. I've never been a fan of tugging aggressively at the skin either.

I've been practicing facial exercises for years, and one thing I've noticed is that working the cheek muscles with gentle resistance can make them look fuller and more defined over time.

In fact, I've personally noticed a difference in the height and shape of my cheeks from doing these exercises consistently.

My favorite cheek-lifting exercise

One exercise I learned through Carolyn's Facial Fitness is designed to work the cheek muscles without pulling or stretching the skin.

Here's the basic idea:

1. Lie comfortably on your back.


2. Place your index fingers gently over the tops of your cheekbones.


3. Smile widely enough to feel your cheek muscles lifting.


4. Gently press against the muscles to create a little resistance as you lift and relax your cheeks.

The goal is to feel your cheek muscles working, not to pull your skin around.

I also do a variation where I hold gentle resistance over the tops of my cheeks and concentrate on lifting the cheek muscles upward. I can feel them working even without moving my mouth very much.

That's the kind of muscle engagement I like to focus on.

Can cheek exercises really make your face look fuller?

In my experience, yes, they can make a visible difference in cheek definition when practiced consistently.

But I also want to be realistic. Facial exercises won't replace lost facial fat or bone, and they can't guarantee a lift in sagging skin. What they may do is help strengthen and develop the muscles underneath, which could improve the appearance of the cheek area.

I've always preferred working the facial muscles rather than relying on movements that tug or stretch the skin.

I follow Carolyn's Facial Fitness program, which takes about 15 minutes and is generally done three times a week.

If you'd like to see the cheek-lifting exercise with pictures and more details, visit my facial exercises for fuller, more lifted-looking cheeks page.

My advice is to start gently, pay attention to how your face feels, and give yourself time to learn the movements.

Good luck, Chris, and let me know how it goes!

Linda

Exercises for Face Toning. How to tighten face skin?

by A.K.

cheek lift exercise

Hi Anti-Aging Beauty Zone,

Great website, very informative. I'm interested in learning how I can tighten my face and skin. I'm 50 and have started to notice a lot of sagging and drooping under my eyes and cheeks.

I used to have very high cheekbones, but now they seem like they're sliding down my face!

I see all kinds of gadgets and yoga-type exercises for face toning. Do they really work? How would I know which one is best or which face exercises work?

I saw one article on the internet that said if you smile really hard and open your mouth really wide a couple of times a day you can firm up the cheeks.

Can smiling really firm the face? I thought smiling is what caused wrinkles?

I'm so confused, can you offer some advice?

Thanks,
A.K.

Editor's Note:

Hi A.K.,

Thanks for your question! I know exactly what you mean about cheeks that seem to lose their fullness and definition with age.

I'm a big fan of facial exercises because I've practiced them for years and have seen changes in my own face, especially around my cheeks.

Can smiling really firm your cheeks?

Smiling activates your cheek muscles, but I wouldn't expect simply smiling hard a few times a day to make a dramatic difference.

What I've found more helpful is working those muscles with controlled movements and gentle resistance.

For example, I sometimes place my fingers over the tops of my cheeks, apply light resistance, and concentrate on lifting the cheek muscles upward. I can feel the muscles working without having to stretch my mouth into a huge smile.

Over time, I've noticed my cheeks looking fuller and more defined when I'm consistent with these exercises.

Of course, facial exercises can't replace lost facial fat or bone, and they won't necessarily tighten loose skin. But I do think working the underlying muscles can help improve the overall appearance of the face.

What about facial yoga and toning gadgets?

I've tried different facial toning devices over the years, and some were more trouble than they were worth!

Personally, I prefer exercises that let me feel the muscles working and control the amount of resistance I'm using.

That doesn't mean facial yoga or electronic devices can't be useful. They're simply different approaches, and results can vary.

I've had the best experience with Carolyn's Facial Fitness because it combines controlled facial movements with resistance and massage techniques, without a lot of aggressive pulling or tugging.

If you're interested, you can read more about the facial tightening exercises I've tried and my personal results.

How long does it take to notice results?

This is where patience and consistency matter.

Some people notice small changes after several weeks, while others may need longer or may not notice much difference at all.

I've found that facial exercising works best for me when I make it part of my regular routine rather than doing a few exercises here and there.

And don't worry about normal smiling causing wrinkles. Repeated facial expressions can contribute to expression lines over time, but that doesn't mean you should stop smiling!

My advice is to choose a routine you enjoy, use gentle movements, and pay attention to how your face responds.

Good luck, A.K., and happy exercising!

Linda