Facial Exercises for Cheeks and Mid-Face

I'll show you cheek exercises that gave me the best results in the least amount of time.

Firmer, fuller cheeks can really give you a more youthful appearance. Plus, when you lift sagging cheeks, the lower part of the face gets a small lift too.

My cheeks are higher and fuller now than they were in my late 40s.

Click on Sagging Cheeks Before and After page to see my other results!

The cheek shaper: Defines and lifts saggy cheeks

These facial cheek exercises will help you get fuller, more shapely cheek contours. But it's important to do a complete facial exercise workout a few times a week for the best results and a beautiful, elegant look as you age.

With a regular facial workout program, you'll get a nice even build all-over your face, neck and even chest (decolletage).

For rounder cheeks, try the bonus workout called the Cheek Shaper, courtesy of Carolyn's Facial Fitness.

The Cheek Shaper - designed by Carolyn helps shape the cheeks from the bottom too. This exercise will even out uneven cheek building and be sure you build your cheeks evenly and in balance.

Wrap your lips around your upper and lower teeth
Place your open hand against the face as shown below
Thumbs are next to the nose and the Index fingers are lying next to the temple
Smile wide with the corners of your mouth
Pressing fingers evenly into the face and “lift up” with the bottom rim of your hands, against the natural shape of your cheeks
Hold for a count of 10 and release

Click here to get more FREE sample exercises to add to your workout.

How to get defined cheekbones

Here is another simple cheek exercise that can help firm and lift the cheeks and tighten the lower half of the face.

This cheek exercise is actually straight from Carolyn's Facial Fitness program.

She adds an interesting twist to this and suggests doing these exercises lying down for the best results. This allows you to take advantage of gravity for faster results.

Try this exercise for firmer cheeks

Start with a clean face. P.S. If you lie flat on the floor or in bed (without a pillow) the gravity will add even more resistance for better cheek firming.

Curl your upper lip over your top teeth and your lower lip over your bottom teeth.

Open your mouth as wide as you can (comfortably) making an "O" shape with your mouth.

See video below on how to make the "O" face.

Lift sagging cheeks using fingers as a weight. Step 1

Place an index finger on top of each cheek to act like a weight.

Contract your cheeks by "trying" to smile as wide as you can. This will also raise them too.

While you’re contracting/raising your cheeks, try to “push” them down with your index fingers. I use the butt of my palms because my cheek muscles are stronger now.

You'll feel resistance here. Now hold this position for a count of 10, then release, relax and repeat.

Do this in a pumping motion (up and down, up and down) sort of like lifting weights.

Do 10 reps. Repeat this workout about 2-3 times per week, with a day of rest in between.

Cheek exercise - more resistance

To create more resistance, use the butt of your palms instead of fingers to push your cheek muscles down.

And try raising your head a few inches off the floor at the same time you're pushing down on your cheeks. Then lower your head back to the floor and release/relax.

Results - Aside from a little soreness, most people see results within a couple of weeks. Yes, a couple of weeks! Cheek muscles build quickly for most people. Check out my before and after cheek results here!

Cheek exercise correct position for the "O" face

Almost all of Carolyn's facial exercises require you to make what she calls the "Long O" face by wrapping your upper and lower lips around your teeth and then smiling.

Why do this? Because it helps keep your face muscles taut so you don't pull and tug on the skin, but you're able to isolate and work the muscle.

Plus, this movement alone helps tighten cheek muscles even before you do the exercise.

Here is a video explaining the long "O" face technique.

Warning about facial exercises for cheeks

Most experts in the facial exercise field warn about exercising only one area of the face (i.e. spot training).

It’s fine to do extra exercises for troubled spots or if you want faster results in a particular area. But it's best to do them in along with a complete facial exercise program. Why, because:

Working ALL the muscles of the face and neck on a steady schedule is best and will ensure your face has a beautiful, firm, full, and elegant look as you age.

Overworking one area, you risk the chance of over-training certain muscles. This can sometimes cause an imbalanced look on the face.

Eventually, all areas of the face will be of concern and will eventually droop. From your forehead to your neck - so take care of it now.

And speaking of the neck:

You should have seen what a mess my neck was before starting this facial workout! Look at my before and after neck pictures. These results came about after only a few short weeks!

This full Facial Fitness program to lift sagging cheeks, neck and more only takes 15 minutes a few times a week.

Facial exercises for Cheeks - Do they work

Do cheek exercises work? Yes.

Cheek muscles can build up easily. That's why you only want to do these a few times a week. More is not better. And, by doing them too often can cause an overbuilt, awkward appearance.

Perform the extra cheek exercises no more than 2-3 times a week, spaced out over the course of 7 days.

For best results: Experts in the facial exercising field highly recommended you perform a full facial workout - in conjunction with spot training with cheek exercises. This combination ensures you get a beautiful balanced look.

Studies on facial exercises and facial aging

A pilot study published in the JAMA Dermatology showed that after 20 weeks of steady facial exercising, there was a significant improvement in upper and lower cheek fullness. And study participants were highly satisfied with their results.

NOTE: Researches state that since the sample group was small and there was no control group to compare the results; further research is warranted to fully asses the findings. But, I say, just look at your before and after pictures.

References:

JAMA Dermatol. 2018 Mar; 154(3): 365–367.

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