Jowls, Causes and Treatment With Face Yoga
Jowls are one of the most dreaded changes of the face. And although jowls are naturally occurring both in younger and older people there is a lot of resistance to this happening. There are natural measures we can take to keep the soft tissue of the face flexible and healthy.
Jowling does have multiple reasons for occurring and it depends on your face what is the main reason for your jowls. From a face yoga point of view and my research, jowls cause and effects can look like this:
1. Fat migration. Over time the fat pads of the face change in composition. Some may shrink and some may grow. This can cause the jowl area to increase in volume and become heavy.
2. Sag of the fascia and muscle. An age-related change that may occur is sagging of the fascia and weakening of the muscles that are “holding the face in place”. This is one of the major reasons for jowls.
3. Tension in the downwards-pulling buccolabial muscles. This causes tension around the chin and from the corners of the mouth, and down. We also have a facial retaining ligament right in this area, which can cause the jowls to become more pronounced.
All in all, if you want to reduce or prevent jowl taking good care of your facial structure with exercise, stretching and massage is a great step to improve the overall condition. Just like in your body, facial exercises will help balance and tone the muscles of your face.
To reduce jowls you must work in the entire face, as the weight and sag are coming from the top/side of the face.
Face yoga exercises are a non-invasive approach that some people believe can help improve facial muscle tone and appearance, including addressing jowls. However, it's important to note that the effectiveness of face yoga for specific concerns like jowls is not supported by rigorous scientific research. Still, some of my clients find face yoga exercises to be a relaxing and potentially beneficial addition to their skincare routines.
Here are a few face yoga exercises that I often suggested to target jowls:
Jawline Stretch:
◦ Sit or stand with an upright posture.
◦ Tilt your head back slightly.
◦ Push your lower jaw forward and upward, feeling a stretch along your jawline.
◦ Hold this position for a few seconds, then relax.
◦ Repeat this exercise several times.
Fish Face Exercise:
◦ Suck in your cheeks and lips to create a fish face.
◦ Smile as wide as you can while maintaining the fish face.
◦ Hold this position for a few seconds, then relax.
◦ Repeat this exercise multiple times.
Chin Lift:
◦ Sit or stand with a straight posture.
◦ Tilt your head back so you're looking toward the ceiling.
◦ Pucker your lips as if you're trying to kiss the ceiling.
◦ Hold this position for a few seconds, then relax.
◦ Repeat this exercise several times.
Cheek Lift:
◦ Smile as widely as you can.
◦ Place your index fingers on the top of your cheekbones.
◦ Gently press your fingers against your skin while lifting your cheeks upward.
◦ Hold this position for a few seconds, then relax.
◦ Repeat this exercise multiple times.
Neck Resistance:
◦ Sit with your back straight and shoulders relaxed.
◦ Place your hands on your neck, just below your jawline.
◦ Apply gentle resistance by pressing your hands down and attempting to lift your chin against the resistance of your hands.
◦ Hold for a few seconds, then release.
◦ Repeat this exercise several times.
Remember that consistency is key when practising face yoga exercises. Perform the exercises regularly and gently to avoid strain or discomfort. If you have any underlying health concerns or are unsure feel free to contact us or check with your doctor first.
While face yoga may provide some relaxation and potential benefits, it's essential to maintain realistic expectations as it does take time to see your results start to take hold.
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From a scientific point of jowls are the sagging or drooping skin and tissue that form along the jawline, typically seen as the result of aging. Several factors contribute to the development of jowls:
Loss of Skin Elasticity: As you age, your skin naturally loses its elasticity due to a decrease in collagen and elastin production. Collagen provides structure and support to the skin, while elastin allows it to stretch and then snap back into place. The reduced elasticity causes the skin to sag and droop, leading to the formation of jowls.
Reduced Muscle Tone: The muscles in your face also play a role in maintaining a youthful appearance. Over time, the muscles that support the lower face and jawline can weaken, contributing to the development of jowls.
Gravity: The force of gravity continually pulls on the skin and underlying tissues, causing them to shift downward over time. This effect is particularly pronounced in areas with thinner skin, like the lower face and neck.
Loss of Fat and Volume: As you age, you may experience a loss of fat and volume in the face. This loss of volume can lead to a sunken appearance and contribute to the formation of jowls.
Genetics: Genetics also play a role in how your skin ages. If your parents or other close relatives had prominent jowls, you may be more likely to develop them as well.
Sun Exposure: Prolonged and unprotected sun exposure can accelerate the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibres in the skin. This can contribute to premature aging, including the development of jowls.
Lifestyle Factors: Poor lifestyle habits such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and an unhealthy diet can accelerate the aging process and contribute to the formation of jowls.
Weight Loss: Rapid or significant weight loss can lead to a loss of facial fat and volume, which can contribute to the appearance of sagging skin and jowls.
Try 150+ face yoga workouts, gua sha and cupping videos in the My Face Yoga Gym for 7 days free. Use code FACE7 on a Monthly Membership of $19.99 a month. Sign up now via www.myfaceyogagym.com