Are Facial Exercises the Key to Facial Rejuvenation?
Facial rejuvenation procedures remain some of the most common cosmetic treatments, due, in part, to the fact that everyone will experience the natural signs of aging at some point. But more women and men than ever before are seeking nonsurgical alternatives to the traditional surgical procedures like facelifts, brow lifts, and even eyelid surgery.
In fact, researchers have begun to test the theory that facial exercises may be able to yield similar results to other methods of facial rejuvenation. But just how effective is facial exercise when it comes to combatting the signs of aging?
The Link between Facial Exercises and Facial Rejuvenation
The research, published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, defines facial exercises as “exercises implying strength, movement, or manipulation of facial muscles.” This excluded alternative medicine practices like acupuncture and acupressure, as well as nonsurgical approaches like BOTOX?, chemical peels, and laser treatment. Thus, the aim of the study was to really home in on the possibility that non-medical procedures could have anti-aging benefits for your skin’s health and appearance.
Various groups of men and women performed different sets of facial exercises for durations lasting between 2 to 12 weeks. But these groups were relatively small, highly individualized, and were not compared to a control group that didn’t perform any exercises at all. There was some subjective evidence that pointed to a positive effect on facial rejuvenation due to the exercise. However, “the evidence to date is insufficient to determine whether facial exercises are effective for facial rejuvenation” (Aesthetic Surgery Journal).
Effective Medical Spa Procedures
While objective clinical trials need to be completed to really determine whether or not facial exercises could play a role in reducing the signs of facial aging, there are a number of tried and true nonsurgical cosmetic procedures that have been proven to be very effective. It also may very well be the case that facial exercises performed in conjunction with some types of medical spa procedures could prove to be beneficial.
But while more studies are being done, you may want to consider some of the most popular facial rejuvenation procedures, including:
- Microdermabrasion: Using tiny abrasive crystals, microdermabrasion works by sweeping away the outer layer of dead skin cells, dirt, and debris that has built up over time on your face. This reveals the fresh, new layer of skin underneath, which can create a younger, revitalized look. (The American Society of Plastic Surgeons)
- Chemical peels: Chemical peels are similar to microdermabrasion in that they also work to remove the outer layer of dead skin by accelerating the natural flaking and peeling process that would occur over a longer period of time.
- Laser skin resurfacing: There are a variety of different laser skin resurfacing treatments that can address a wide range of skin concerns. LaserGenesis, for instance, is a non-ablative treatment for lines and wrinkles, age spots, sun damage, and uneven skin tone. Work with an experienced medical spa clinician or technician to determine which laser treatment could be the best option for you. (Mayo Clinic)
The Bottom Line
Although there may be evidence in the future that performing certain facial exercises could help your skin to maintain its youthful glow longer, more research needs to be done on this subject. But the good news is that you don’t need to wait and you don’t need a surgical procedure to get excellent facial rejuvenation results. If lines and wrinkles, discoloration, sun damage, or even scars are preventing you from looking and feeling your absolute best, consult a skilled dermatologist to take the next step toward achieving more youthful and healthier-looking skin.
At Acqua Blu Medical Spa in Pittsburgh and Wexford, our board-certified dermatologist Dr. Ana Busquets, along with our team of physician assistants, has the experience and professional knowledge necessary to properly assess your skin’s condition, as well as design a treatment plan that’s right for you. If you’d like more information about your nonsurgical facial rejuvenation options, or to schedule a consultation, please contact us at (724) 933-1800.
