Can face and neck exercises shave off the years?
August 14, 2012
The next time you go to the gym, don't be alarmed if you see someone winking at you. A new trend in the world of beauty has emerged, and it's a peculiar one - facial and neck exercises. In an effort to stave off wrinkles and keep the face and neck looking youthful, some people are working these muscles much like you might work your biceps and quads at the gym. But do these exercises work?
Probably not, according to The Toronto Star. The newspaper reports that there have been no scientific studies to back up the theory that facial muscle exercises translates to a more youthful appearance.
Working out your arms, legs, back and torso makes sense, because when you are sedentary, these muscles fall out of use. In other words, use it or lose it. But facial muscles are a different story. The muscles around your eyes, forehead and mouth work spontaneously, and you're likely using these muscles throughout the day, meaning they run no risk of falling out of disuse.
The exercises aren't completely useless, however. Joanne Dorion, a physiotherapist at the Personal Best Independence and Wellness Center, told the news source that while they won't do much to reduce flabby or sagging skin on the face, they could "positively influence general appearance, however the changes to the muscle contours would be less obvious."
Some exercises for the neck may help strengthen and tone the skin under the chin, however. Dr. Catriona Steele of Toronto Rehab told the Star that the "Shaker Exercise," which is essentially a "chin sit up" could make subtle improvements to the neck…if done three times a day.
If that doesn't appeal to you, there are other ways to help reduce the sagging skin and wrinkles that are a natural part of aging. Injectable cosmetics like Botox and fillers are some of the most popular forms of cosmetic surgery procedures, and they can help lessen the appearance of crow's feet and laugh lines.
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reports that facelifts are another way that individuals can tighten the skin on the face and neck. According to the 2011 Statistics on Cosmetic Surgery, facelifts were among the top five surgical procedures for men, with over 10,400 performed over the course of the year.
The mission of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) includes medical education, public education and patient advocacy. Plastic Surgery News Briefs are summaries of current stories found through various news and magazine outlets that relate to or mention plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures. The views expressed in these news articles do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ASAPS, but are merely published as an educational service to our members and the general public. For additional information on these subjects and other plastic surgery related topics, please go to www.surgery.org
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The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), is recognized as the world’s leading organization devoted entirely to aesthetic plastic surgery and cosmetic medicine of the face and body. ASAPS is comprised of over 2,600 Plastic Surgeons; active members are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (USA) or by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and have extensive training in the complete spectrum of surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures. International active members are certified by equivalent boards of their respective countries. All members worldwide adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and must meet stringent membership requirements.
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