{"id":236830,"date":"2026-01-09T22:59:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T22:59:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/236830\/"},"modified":"2026-01-09T22:59:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T22:59:09","slug":"face-exercises-to-start-doing-in-january-to-look-transformed-by-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/236830\/","title":{"rendered":"Face exercises to start doing in January to look transformed by summer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Most of us slip into hibernation for the winter months, but by the time spring and summer come around, it feels like we have to do an intense overhaul to feel our best.<\/p>\n

But by putting in the time and consistency throughout the colder months, \u201cface yoga\u201d can help give us a healthy summer glow by improving circulation and muscle tone.<\/p>\n

While it won\u2019t necessarily give you the same effect a cosmetic procedure will, facial exercises can help reduce puffiness and dull skin.<\/p>\n

\"CloseFace yoga can improve lymphatic drainage and blood circulation (Alamy\/PA)<\/p>\n

According to regenerative aesthetics doctor Dr Hansel Misquitta, \u201cfacial exercises sit in a genuine scientific grey zone. [They] can offer small, incremental benefits when done properly [\u2026] but they\u2019re also not the miracle [some] would like you to believe.\u201d<\/p>\n

There is some early evidence that targeted muscle training can increase muscle thickness and therefore improve facial structure \u2013 but face workouts aren\u2019t a substitute for a facelift. They\u2019re like Pilates for the face: good for tone, posture and habit \u2013 but not magic.<\/p>\n

So what can you genuinely expect if you start now and keep going until summer? And which facial exercises are the best to do?<\/p>\n

What face workouts can (and can\u2019t) do<\/p>\n

\u201cBy summer, if someone starts now and is consistent, the realistic outcome is improved muscle tone, slightly better facial posture and a fresher look at rest,\u201d explains Misquitta.<\/p>\n

But she is clear on the limits: \u201c[you can\u2019t expect] wrinkle removal, skin tightening [or] lifting sagging tissue.<\/p>\n

\u201cFacial exercises do not rebuild collagen, replace fat loss or reverse gravity. You can\u2019t out-exercise biology. At best, you\u2019re toning the scaffolding, not rebuilding the building.\u201d<\/p>\n

The benefits largely come from circulation, lymphatic drainage and subtle muscle tone.<\/p>\n

This is also why skincare still matters as much as facial gymnastics \u2013 because good skin makes any improvement look better. As she puts it, \u201cskin quality decides whether muscle tone looks good or just looks tense.\u201d<\/p>\n

Misquitta recommends a strong daily SPF to future-proof skin alongside a nourishing, barrier-supporting moisturiser that helps the skin respond better to any routine change.<\/p>\n

\"SPF50(Look Fantastic\/PA)<\/p>\n

La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid Non-Perfumed Suncream SPF50+, \u00a318.95 (was \u00a320), Look Fantastic<\/p>\n

\"Barrier(Space NK\/PA)<\/p>\n

BYOMA Barrier+ Repair Treatment, \u00a317, SpaceNK<\/p>\n

Where you\u2019ll see results first<\/p>\n

Areas with thicker, functional muscles respond best.<\/p>\n

\u201cCheeks, lower face and jawline tend to show the most visible response,\u201d says Misquitta. These muscles are the only ones that can hypertrophy (grow and strengthen) in the face, though far more slowly and modestly than body muscles.<\/p>\n

But some areas won\u2019t budge. Under-eye hollows, temple loss, forehead lines and deep folds are driven by bone and fat changes rather than weak muscles.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrying to fix under-eye hollows with facial yoga is like trying to fix a flat tyre by massaging it,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

\"WomanFacial yoga doesn\u2019t work on areas that do not have muscle, such as under the eyes (Alamy\/PA)<\/p>\n

The best exercises and how often to do them<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re imagining theatrical grimacing in the mirror, you\u2019re in luck. \u201cThe best exercises are boring, controlled and unsexy,\u201d Misquitta says. \u201cThese are not about pulling faces or scrunching skin. If you\u2019re doing that, you\u2019re training wrinkles, not muscles.\u201d<\/p>\n

She says a good starting point is a gentle cheek-resistance exercise. Begin with a soft, relaxed smile and place your fingertips lightly on the fleshy part of your cheeks. As you lift the cheeks into that soft smile, use your fingers to create a slight resistance. You should feel the muscles working under the skin \u2013 but you shouldn\u2019t see deep creasing around the eyes or mouth. If you do, ease off. This targets the muscles that support the mid-face and helps improve tone over time.<\/p>\n

Another simple movement is the tongue-to-palate press. Rest your tongue firmly against the roof of your mouth, just behind your front teeth, while gently lengthening through the neck and lifting the chin a fraction. Hold for a few seconds, then relax. Done consistently, this improves lower-face posture and mild muscle tone \u2013 without strain or jaw-clenching.<\/p>\n

Finally, controlled lip resistance works the muscles around the mouth. Keep the lips together naturally and place two fingers lightly over them. Press the lips gently together while your fingers resist the movement ever so slightly. Avoid puckering or scrunching \u2013 the movement should be subtle and smooth. If chin dimpling or deep lines appear, you\u2019re using too much force.<\/p>\n

Five to ten minutes, four to five times a week, is enough. \u201cMore is not better. Overdoing facial exercises is like overdoing crunches. You don\u2019t get a six-pack faster, you just get a sore neck.\u201d<\/p>\n

Expect subtle changes from six to eight weeks, with best results around three to four months.<\/p>\n

Tools vs tech: which one\u2019s better?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s difficult to know what\u2019s marketing and what will actually make a difference when it comes to beauty tech. Is a microcurrent device actually better than a simple gua sha?<\/p>\n

Misquitta says some at-home microcurrent devices can, like a basic gua sha, boost lymphatic flow but they can also temporarily stimulate muscle contraction. \u201cThey produce a mild lift that lasts hours to days,\u201d she explains. \u201cThink of it like a good push-up bra for the face. Useful, temporary and absolutely not structural change.\u201d<\/p>\n

In-clinic devices, however, sit in a different league.<\/p>\n

\u201cTechnologies such as EMFACE combine radiofrequency with high-intensity electromagnetic stimulation,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Early data suggests improved muscle tone and some dermal remodelling \u2013 but again, it doesn\u2019t promise anything permanent. \u201c[It\u2019s] no replacement to a surgical lift. It is pure muscle stimulation only with early evidence and heavy marketing.\u201d<\/p>\n

But Misquitta is keen to emphasises that skincare is the key to whether these tools actually work.<\/p>\n

\u201cDaily broad-spectrum sunscreen is non-negotiable,\u201d she explains. \u201cRetinoids improve collagen and skin texture over time and a basic moisturiser that supports the skin barrier [will do] the job.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Retinoid(The Ordinary\/PA)<\/p>\n

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion, \u00a311<\/p>\n

\"Stainless(Oliver Bonas\/PA)<\/p>\n

Kitsch Stainless Steel Gua Sha, \u00a311, Oliver Bonas<\/p>\n

\"Electronic(Shark Clean\/PA)<\/p>\n

Shark DePuffi Contrast Therapy Sculpting Tool, \u00a3159.99 (was \u00a3179.99)<\/p>\n

When not to do face exercises<\/p>\n

But facial yoga isn\u2019t suitable for everyone.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople with active inflammatory skin conditions, significant jaw joint problems, recent facial surgery or recently placed fillers should avoid facial exercises or get proper medical advice first,\u201d Misquitta explains.<\/p>\n

You can also overtrain your face. Warning signs include jaw pain, headaches, tightness, deeper expression lines or constant muscle fatigue.<\/p>\n

\u201cFacial ageing is often driven by chronic tension, not weakness,\u201d she says. \u201cIf your face feels tighter, more uncomfortable or permanently clenched, that\u2019s not progress. That\u2019s your face asking you to stop.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Most of us slip into hibernation for the winter months, but by the time spring and summer come…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":236831,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[499,103,61,60],"class_list":["post-236830","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-fitness","tag-fitness","tag-health","tag-ie","tag-ireland"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/236830","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=236830"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/236830\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/236831"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=236830"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=236830"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=236830"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}