Is it possible to work on your jawline with at-home facial exercises? An expert weighs in.
‘Facial balancing’ is the latest beauty social media trend — it means focusing on the overall proportions of your facial features rather than a specific area.
Drawing on this idea, brands including Foreo and NuFace have released a series of costly skincare tools aimed at targeting the jawline and creating a more balanced look. These products can be pricey, however — but there’s a free alternative that some claim delivers similar results: using only your own hands.
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What are the benefits of facial exercises and massages?
Justine Masters, also known as The Alternative Facialist, is a pro-age and ‘no-tox’ facialist. She claims most people are thinking about facial exercises in the wrong way.
“[It’s] less about aggressively working the muscles and more about what I call facial Pilates,” she says.
Naturally, many of us hold tension in the face and have poor neck posture, which can lead to a heavier appearance in the face. Justine says that facial massages can help to release this tension.
“By stretching the face muscles, many people notice their features look more defined, lifted and balanced,” she explains.
Can facial exercise improve the appearance of wrinkles?
“Facial exercise can help to improve the appearance of wrinkles, particularly those that are made more noticeable by chronic tension, tightness or poor circulation,” says Justine.
When the facial tissues are more relaxed and hydrated, the skin might look smoother, softer and healthier.
She adds that along with facial massage, good skincare, sun protection, hydration and sleep are all key for helping the skin to feel refreshed over time. She also advises hydrating sufficiently.
How do I slim my jawline?
According to Justine, you can work on your jawline at home — but, she says, keep your expectations realistic and don’t expect a dramatic before and after.
Consistency is key, after all.
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Facial exercises for jawline
Justine says she focuses on posture, lengthening and releasing exercises.
“These techniques are aimed at creating space, improving mobility and reducing tension in the tissues. When the face and neck are moving well and free from restriction, the overall appearance can often become more lifted, sculpted and refreshed.”
Step-by-step facial exercise guide
Chin tucks: Sit or stand tall and gently draw your chin straight back, as if creating a slight double chin. Hold for five seconds and repeat 10-15 times. This can help to improve neck alignment and posture, which can make the jawline appear more defined.
Masseter release: Using your fingertips, massage the jaw muscles just below the cheekbones in slow circular motions. For a deeper release, this can be combined with buccal (inside-the-mouth) massage. This can help to release tension from clenching and can soften the appearance of the lower face. Massaging from inside the mouth helps to release tight tissue.
Tongue-to-palate neck lift: Press your tongue firmly against the roof of your mouth and gently lift your chin slightly. Hold for 5-10 seconds before releasing. This is aimed at engaging the muscles beneath the chin and along the neck to support better definition in the jawline.
Feature image: Pexels
