Those stubborn vertical creases that form between your eyebrows, often called '11 lines' or frown lines, are a common sign of ageing. But did you know they are primarily caused by your daily expressions? Repeated actions like concentrating, squinting, or frowning cause the underlying muscles to tighten and stay contracted. Over time, this leads to visible lines, even when your face is completely relaxed.
While skincare products work on the skin's surface, they often fail to address this deeper issue of chronic muscle tension. This is where the power of facial exercises, popularly known as face yoga, comes into play. A study published in JAMA Dermatology provides scientific backing, showing that participants who performed daily facial exercises saw noticeable improvements in facial firmness and a more youthful appearance.
5 Effective Facial Exercises to Smooth Frown Lines
By training your facial muscles to relax and boosting blood circulation, these exercises can help soften existing lines and prevent new ones from forming. Regular practice promotes muscle awareness and supports a naturally smoother, more relaxed brow.
1. The Eyebrow Smoother
This exercise directly targets the tension that builds up between your brows. Place your index and middle fingers at the centre of your eyebrows and gently pinch the skin and the muscle underneath. Then, slide your fingers outward towards your temples while maintaining a light pressure. This motion physically smooths the muscle fibres, training them to relax instead of bunching up into a crease. Repeating this along the entire brow helps your forehead learn to rest in a neutral, smooth position.
2. The Eyebrow Resistance Pinch
When frowning becomes a habit, the muscle contracts unconsciously. This exercise helps retrain that pattern. Gently pinch the skin between your eyebrows and then try to frown while keeping the pinch firm. You will feel resistance as your fingers prevent the brows from pulling inward. The goal is not to deepen the crease but to make the muscle aware of its movement. This newfound awareness helps break the cycle of unintentional frowning.
3. The Bottom to Top 11 Massage
This technique promotes circulation to help the vertical line fade. Place a fingertip at the root of your nose and stroke slowly upwards along the line between your eyebrows. Apply enough pressure to feel the muscle relaxing beneath the skin. Switch hands to maintain a fluid motion. This stimulates collagen and blood flow, gradually softening the crease and smoothing the skin's surface.
4. The Binocular Pose
This clever exercise stops you from overusing your forehead muscles. Cup both hands and place them over your eyes like binoculars, applying gentle pressure to prevent your forehead from moving. Close your eyes, relax your face, and then open your eyes as wide as you can, holding for five seconds. Since your forehead is immobilized, your eye muscles are forced to do the work, reducing the upward pull that contributes to lines.
5. The Worry Line Eraser
Place both index fingers on the line between your brows. Gently glide them upward in a crisscross pattern toward opposite sides of your forehead. This technique stretches the skin upward, discouraging it from folding into a crease. The movement helps smooth the existing line and encourages collagen renewal over time.
Lifestyle Changes for Lasting Results
While facial exercises are powerful, your daily habits are equally important. Sun exposure and squinting cause constant muscle contraction, so wearing sunglasses outdoors is a simple preventive measure. Stress leads to unconscious forehead tension; make a conscious effort to relax your facial muscles throughout the day. Your sleeping position also matters; sleeping on your back reduces pressure on the forehead and prevents the formation of asymmetrical lines compared to sleeping face-down. Face yoga is a gradual process, but with consistent practice and mindful habits, you can soften frown lines, improve muscle control, and maintain a smoother, more youthful appearance.
