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After years of smiling, frowning and squinting many women broach the subject of cosmetic surgery with me while looking in the styling mirror and seeing a few noticeable age lines. I have seen too many women opt for face lift surgery who can't lift their toes without automatically raising their eyebrows. Therefore, I typically recommend the benefits of a face-lift without ever having to go under the knife.
Facial fitness instructors have developed an easy to learn face firming regimen called "FlexEffect" – A muscle-building program that firms the elasticity of the skin and improves the flex of facial muscles in just a few short minutes a day.
When most people think of facial exercises, they think of isometrics. Unfortunately the only thing those exercises can do is replace muscle tone. FlexEffect takes isometrics one step further by increasing the size of muscles this firms the face, fills it out and creates lift. The following exercises should be done 10 times to the count of six.
F O R E H E A D
BROW SMOOTHER: Targets the frontalis, the muscles of the forehead, and the occipitalis, the muscles in the back of the head. The purpose is to remove the lines above the brow. Fan your fingers with your thumbs folded in and place your fingers where your scalp meets your head, near your temples. Push straight up and hold. At this point, raise your eyebrows, hold for six counts and release.
FROWN FURROWS: This two-part exercise targets the corrugator supercilii and the frontalis, the muscles right above the brow area. First, place the middle fingertip of each hand in the center of each eyebrow. Pull the brows apart, and at the same time frown. Hold for six counts. The second part is just the opposite. Place the middle fingertip of each hand in the center of each brow push brows together (inward) at the same time raise brows and hold.
E Y E S
CROW’S FEET EYES: Targets orbicularis oculi, the muscles around the eyes. The purpose is to eliminate crow’s feet. Place the ring and middle fingers of each hand at the outer corners of eyes. Pull the corner of the eyes toward the hairline and hold. At the same time, squeeze eyes shut hold.
LOWER EYELID LIFT: Targets the muscles underneath the eyes. This exercise eliminates puffiness. Place the three center fingers on each hand on the area directly underneath the eye, pull down, and then try to close your eyes hold.
N O S E
NOSE LIFT: Targets the quadratus labii superioris and the caput angulare, the muscles in the hollow of the eyes and down the sides of the nose between the nose and the cheek. Place the middle finger of each hand in the hollow area at the inside corner of eyes. Place the ring fingers of each hand on the sides of nose bridge. Contract the muscle by wrinkling the nose and hold at the same time, try to push your nose back down by sliding your fingers down the sides of your nose. Keep nose wrinkled through the entire exercise.
TOP NOSE FURROW: Targets the caninus, the muscles from the corners of the nose to the corners of the mouth. Place both thumbs under top lip grasp lip with sides of index fingers pull lip straight down and hold. While holding lip in place, contract muscle by trying to pull lip up into a sneer hold.
C H E E K S
CHEEK RAISER: Targets the muscles in the cheek area. Take your three center fingers, place them on the apples of the cheeks and push down. At the same time, raise your cheeks as hard as you can by smiling. Put your head back when doing this.
LOWER CHEEK PRESS: Targets the muscles that hold the cheeks to the teeth for chewing. This exercise will fill out the cheek hollows, firm the face and lift. Begin by putting your thumb in your mouth – right in the center of the cheek – and push. At the same time, bring the cheek back toward to the teeth against your thumb. Hold and then repeat on the other side.
M O U T H
LOWER LIP CURL: Targets the quadratus labii superioris, the muscles of the lip area. Take your middle fingers and pull down on either side of your lower lip – exposing your lower teeth. At the same time, you should try to form a pout with your lips.
CORNER MOUTH PULL: Targets the risorius, the muscles from the corner of the mouth straight back to the earlobe. The purpose of this exercise is to alleviate the lines around the corners of the mouth and to lift the cheeks. Place your left thumb just inside the right corner of your mouth. Place three fingers of the right hand directly over area of thumb. You should be able to feel your thumb through your cheek. Place left fingers over right fingers, lock on and pull the corner of your mouth across your teeth and hold. Contract the muscle by pulling the corner of your mouth straight back toward the earlobe. Hold and then repeat on the other side.
C H I N
CHIN LIFT: Targets the mentalis, the muscles in the chin. Take your three center fingers, pull the chin down and at the same time – curl the lower lip over the bottom teeth.
TONGUE PRESS: Targets the muscle directly under the chin. The purpose of this exercise is to alleviate double chin. Lace your fingers together, leaving your thumbs sticking out. Push up on the chin with your thumbs. At the same time, press your tongue to the roof of your mouth. This will cause the your chin muscle to push against your thumbs.
N E C K
HEAD RAISER: Targets the sternocleidomastiodeus, the major muscle of the neck. When this muscle is increased in size, it elongates the neck, which firms and smoothes the side of the neck. Lie face up on a bed and hang your head over the edge. Slowly raise your head in line with your body and then lower your head back down again. For this exercise, do three sets of five, rather than 10 sets to the count of six.
There you have it! A few minutes of facial and neck exercise before bed can save you thousands of dollars in cosmetic surgery bills, while improving and maintaining a more youthful appearance at any age!
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Best Beauty Supply Store Cosmetology Staff |
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