We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Wellness

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Facial Resistance Training?

By L. Roux
Updated: Mar 03, 2024

Facial resistance training is a technique whereby the muscles of the face are exercised through specific movements. The training can tone the muscles and contribute to an enhanced complexion. A full routine can include resistance exercises for the eyes, cheeks, neck and lips. These can be performed at any time and don't require any equipment.

There are various exercises that can be performed in facial resistance training. The key areas usually consist of the eyes, cheeks and neck. There are more than 50 muscles in the facial area, and by regularly exercising them they can become firmer, contributing to a younger, healthier look. Facial resistance training has been around for years and can be practiced by both male and female individuals of all ages.

Facial resistance training can be easy to perform. To strengthen the eyelids, for example, the index finger can be placed above the eyebrows. By pushing upward while simultaneously trying to close the eye, it will create resistance and thereby exercising the eyelids. This can be done for the lower eyelids as well, by placing a finger on the cheekbone and pushing downward while trying to close the eye.

The cheeks can get a workout as well. To give it a try, place three fingers on the center of each cheek while tilting the head backward. Attempt to smile against the resistance caused by the finger placements; this will help firm the jowls. Another alternative is to place an index finger on the inside of the cheek and pull outward while attempting to suck in the cheeks against the resistance. This can significantly strengthen the cheek muscles.

To firm the neck muscles, tilt the head backward as far as possible while simultaneously putting the lower part of the lip over the upper part. The lower lip should be pushed upward as far as possible, thereby strengthening the muscles in the neck. These exercises can be very effective, and they are practiced by many people to enhance their appearance and contribute to a younger-looking complexion.

It is recommended that each exercise repetition should be held for 10 seconds and then relaxed for five seconds before repeating. A total of six sets of each exercise can be done when starting facial resistance training for the first time, increasing the number of reps as the individual progresses. These exercises can be done daily or a few times per week. It can be beneficial to train the facial muscles, not only to enhance one's look but to promote a healthy, natural complexion as well.

The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Related Articles

Discussion Comments
By anon1006001 — On Jan 08, 2022

I've been reading all over the internet about facial resistance training where so many people are teaching it or claim to be teaching it.

By MyPolly — On Aug 22, 2011

I have found every facial exercise program calling their training ‘resistance training’ is somehow rooted in FlexEffect Facialbuilding. I have the FlexEffect third edition. The program is utterly amazing. The 275-page book alone offers more than all the other programs put together. And, I just read where the new training techniques ‘Jolting’ and ‘Cross Stretching’ offered in FlexEffect’s third edition, are now supported by the latest dermatology research.

Deborah has put over 30 years in her work and in my opinion deserves much recognition. Her FlexEffect Facialbuilding tops everything I have ever done for holding back time, let alone the collection found in my anti-aging arsenal!

By anon126690 — On Nov 13, 2010

The originator of Facial Resistance Training is Deborah Crowley. She developed it in 1979 while she was a competitive bodybuilder. Her latest book is out 'FlexEffect Facialbuilding' 3rd edition. In this book she offers two new disciplines that she also developed: ‘Jolting’ and ‘Cross Stretching’.

Share
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.