Face yoga: can facial exercises replace a facelift? An honest look
Face yoga is sold as a “facelift without a scalpel”: five minutes at the mirror and a jawline like at 30. We look at what the key study actually showed, why “before and after” photos on social media prove very little, and how to do facial exercises sensibly, without illusions.
Questions and answers
Does face yoga work?
The evidence is still modest. In the best-known Northwestern University study, after 20 weeks of exercises women aged 40–65 had noticeably fuller cheeks, but only 16 people completed it, and the authors themselves call for testing the result in larger groups.
How long do you need to do face yoga to see results?
In the study, participants exercised 30 minutes every day for 8 weeks, then every other day for another 12 weeks. Five minutes a day is a different regimen, and there’s no honest data on its effect.
Can facial exercises replace a facelift?
No. The exercises work on muscles, not on the skin or on sagging tissue. They’re an inexpensive and safe addition to skincare, sun protection and sleep, but not a replacement for procedures by a specialist.
Why do face yoga before and after photos vary so much?
A photo is strongly affected by light, angle, time of day, morning puffiness, facial expression and filters. To see changes honestly, take photos in the same place, in the same light and with a neutral face once every 4 weeks.