Scientific Evidence: Does Facial Exercise Really Work?
For years, facial exercise was met with skepticism. Today, science is beginning to back up what thousands of women already experience on their skin.
The Study: "Effect of Intensive Face Yoga on Facial Muscles Tonus, Stiffness, and Elasticity in Middle-Aged Women"
Published in PMC (PubMed Central), this clinical trial analyzed whether 8 weeks of intensive face yoga could produce measurable changes in facial muscles.
What did they investigate?
Researchers measured three objective parameters in facial muscles:
- Muscle tone — the state of tension at rest
- Stiffness — the resistance of muscle tissue
- Elasticity — the muscle's ability to recover
Who participated?
- 12 middle-aged women (average ≈ 50 years old)
- No recent facial surgery or invasive treatments
What was the program like?
For 8 weeks, they performed:
- 2 in-person sessions per week
- 5 days of practice at home
The program included facial exercises, breathing, and massage-like movements.
How were the results measured?
They used the MyotonPRO device, which objectively measures the tone, stiffness, and elasticity of muscle tissue. This gives it significantly superior scientific value compared to simple testimonials or subjective aesthetic evaluations.
Study Results
1. Superficial tension muscles relaxed
Tone and stiffness decreased in muscles associated with the forehead, frown, eye contour, and lips — including the frontalis, corrugator supercilii, orbicularis oculi, and orbicularis oris. The authors interpret this as:
- Less facial tension
- Less expression stiffness
- Possible visual softening of the face
2. Some deep muscles strengthened
Tone increased in more functional muscles such as the buccinator and digastric, which aid facial support and jaw stability. This can translate into:
- Greater facial firmness
- Better contour support
- More facial definition
3. General elasticity improved
Elasticity increased in all analyzed muscles, which could be related to better circulation, increased tissue hydration, and reduced muscle stiffness.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that facial exercise produces measurable physiological changes in the muscles of the face. It's not magic — it's muscle, consistency, and method.
At FACEWO®, we have been applying these principles for years. If you want to start training your face with a method backed by science, discover our programs here.