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Introduction: A Workout For Your Face
What Are Facial Exercises?
Do They Really Work?
Am I A Candidate For Facial Exercises?
The Facial Muscle Specific Exercises:
-Forehead
-Eyes
-Nose
-Cheeks
-Mouth & Lips
-Jowls & Jaw Line
-Chin
-Neck
Are There Risks?
The Least You Need To Know
Related Links

Key 
= I like this one
= undecided
= I don't care for this one

*note: I placed the exercises in order of the ones I like, first, the undecided ones next and then the exercises I am not thrilled with, last. You decide which works for you, if any.

Introduction: A Workout For Your Face
I must say at first glance I thought this was about the biggest scam you could ask for. I thought WOW! People are really being snowballed!" I even tried a few years back for about a month; the exercises for the forehead. It didn't work for me, Retin-A did. Some people swear by them - actually a few of my friends do.  I was looking at my submental area (under chin) and noticed a little "pudge". I did a double take and thought, " Grrrrr!! where did THIS come from?!!". Well I was advised that if you work at a desk all day and stare down at your keyboard (okay I admit it, I can't type without looking) or paperwork, your skin and muscles will sort of relax a little and hang shamelessly. Actually it is your mylohyoid muscle becoming lax. When you look up and move your jaw or stretch it out, the tautness remains, when you leave it lax and not use it or stretch it, it becomes all lose and pudgy. If you have fat, that is a different story. Guess, you will either have to change your diet or get submental lipo.

Well, I simply could not have this! Something must be done, but what? Laser? Lipo? A lift? Too extreme for what I wanted. I know I hadn't gained actual weight? What was going on?! Then I ventured, facial exercises? It's worth a shot. Afterall, what could I lose? Well, after a week I noticed there actually was some tightening going on. Great Scott!! How could this be? Was it suggestive? Was I going mad? Well whatever the case - something was working. And it's definitely worth trying before resorting to extremes for anything minor that you may have. Just don't expect miracles, facial exercises are not an alternative to a face lift or anything like that. 

*MARIANNE SAY: IF IT IS SEVERELY CREASING YOUR SKIN - STOP DOING THAT ONE! YOU WILL GET WRINKLES - PERIOD!

What Are Facial Exercises?
It's exactly what it sounds like, resistance and/or bulking exercises for the face and neck. You basically hold down areas of your face or neck or push that area and use your facial/neck muscles to work against your pressures. This is theorized to either tone the face (which I thought was a scam as we use our facial muscles all the time!) or to add mini-bulk to your already existing muscles. Thereby very slightly filling out any minor depressions and pulling the skin a little bit more taught. It seems that certain individuals who sell these programs claim that these exercises will, indeed, lift the sagging areas of the face. 

Also, persons with Bell's Palsy, etc. benefit by the use of facial exercises with real results! Obviously, there is some truth to this matter as physical therapy includes exaggerated facial expressions to help restore or promote "normal" facial movement.

Do They Really Work?
Don't think for a second that when you start doing them that in a few weeks you are going to look like you did 10 years ago. Not a chance. But for some they do work to a point. Be advised that these same people who I  know swear by them, like and undergo plastic surgery as well. Facial exercises do not achieve single-handedly what a face lift, brow lift or injectable filler can. Try it for yourself - if it works...  Hey! good for you!  

The companies claim that you should begin a program as soon as possible (not like 10 years old or something) - while the skin is still supple and taut - and that you must continue to do them for at least 4 weeks before really noticing a difference in lift. I personally saw improvement in 7 days with the Tongue Press Exercise. I swear by that one and the Chin/Neck Stretch. Although the reported ideal time to notice extreme, overall improvement is a year. A year! Can you imagine? I can get a brow lift in under two hours and heal in 2 months with almost guaranteed results. All for the *low* price tag of $4,000US! That's why you see me exploring other options before taking out a second mortgage for the brow lift.

Am I A Candidate For Facial Exercises?
Do you have hands? If yes, well then, you are a candidate. If you don't have hands, use someone else's.

The Facial Muscle Specific Exercises
The below exercises target specific muscles of the face, neck and scalp believed to help in lifting and bulking the sagging or wrinkled skin. Please see the diagrams to better understand which is doing what to whom. They will each load in a separate window so that you may read about the exercises and view the diagrams for cross-reference.

facial, neck & scalp muscles  (lateral view)	cheek muscles (lateral view)	eye muscles (lateral view)	neck muscles (lateral view)	neck muscles (anterior view)

*these images load in another window for ease of reference*

Make sure that you have a mirror handy. Definitely perform these exercises in front of a mirror first! so you can be sure you are not creating creases, wrinkles and furrows in your skin as you go through the various movements. It is in my opinion that if you continue to crease and stretch your skin needlessly day after day, you risk getting what is called dynamic wrinkles.  And once that happens, you better take a look at the other sections of the site, like: Laser Resurfacing, NLite, Intense Pulsed Light Therapy, Chemical Peels, Injectable fillers for wrinkles, BOTOX, Facelifts, etc. I believe that deeper wrinkles can not be helped with facial exercises - the creased appearance of dynamic wrinkles are in your epidermis and dermis and have nothing to do with your muscles. Lift is what we're trying for here with these exercises, not wrinkle removal. Although some lifting can help diminish fine lines in certain areas - I just don't buy it that the exercises will rid you of them completely. But hey! I'd love to be wrong on this one!

Key 
= I like this one
= undecided
= I don't care for this one

*note: I placed the exercises in order of the ones I like, first, the undecided ones next and then the exercises I am not thrilled with, last. You decide which works for you, if any.

Forehead: Click Here for a Diagram of the Muscles Involved

Smoothing Your Brow
Purpose: to remove the superficial lines and wrinkles on your forehead that are caused by raising your brows too much!
Targets: the frontalis, (forehead muscles) and the occipitalis (posterior, or rear, muscles of the head)
How to: Spread your fingers out like a fan with your thumbs folded in (like when you display the number "4" with your hands) Place your fingers where your scalp and hairline meet, near your temples. Gently lift straight up and hold. Next raise your eyebrows, holding that position for 7 seconds and release for a total of 10 times.
Am I doing this correctly? You should feel a tingling or slight burning sensation (like when working out at the gym) in the rear corners of the head and where your fingers were touching your hairline.

Turning Your Frown Upside Down (Part 1)
Purpose: to remove the superficial lines and furrows above the brow.
Targets: the corrugator supercilii, which is the muscle deep under the brow and the frontalis (forehead muscles). 
How to: Place the middle fingertip of each hand in the center of each eyebrow. Pull the brows apart, and at the same time frown by making your eyebrows lower and together. holding that position for 7 seconds and release for a total of 10 times. But, make sure you are not creasing your skin!
Am I doing this correctly? You should feel a slight "burning or tingling" sensation in the middle of the forehead and between the brows. But be careful that you are not pulling your skin too taut and check if it is creasing your brow anyway. If it is - I wouldn't do this one.

Turning Your Frown Upside Down (Part 2)
Again but opposite of the above. Place the middle fingertip of each hand in the center of each brow; push brows together (inward); at the same time raise your brows and hold that position for 7 seconds and release for a total of 10 times.
Am I doing this correctly? (*This one furrows the skin on my brow - I don't do it)

Brow Raiser 
Purpose: to help alleviate droopy, saggy eyelids. 
Targets: the corrugator supercilii, which is the muscle deep under the brow. 
How to: Raise your eyebrows a high as you can, keeping them raised. Lower your upper eyelids approximately halfway, covering part of your iris (the colored part of the eye). Then, open your upper lids to show all of the white above your iris. Hold this position for 7 seconds and slowly return to your eyes' natural position. Do this exercise for a total of 10 times.
Am I doing this correctly? Do you feel your forehead burning/tingling? Then you are more than likely doing it correctly. Just make sure that you are not creasing the skin above your brow - If you need to you can lightly pull up the skin at the hairline so this exercise doesn't crease the forehead. This is similar to Smoothing Your Brow although this one is a wrinkle hazard. (*This one furrows the skin on my brow - I don't do it)

De-Frowner (for frown lines)
Purpose: to help alleviate vertical frown lines on your forehead between the brows.
Targets: the frontalis, (forehead muscles) 
How to: Stare into a mirror and frown as hard as you possibly can. Attempt to become a "uni-brow". Lift your eyebrows, opening your eyes as wide as you can. Hold this position for 7 seconds and slowly return to your eyes' natural position. Do this exercise for a total of 10 times.
Am I doing this correctly?  If you look like a complete psycho, I would think you are doing it correctly. (*Personally I find this to be a major wrinkle hazard and I do NOT recommend it - period.)

Brow 
Purpose: to help smooth the brow/forehead 
Targets:  the frontalis muscle, (forehead muscles) 
How to: Lie on your back across a bed with your head hanging over the edge. Raise your eyebrows toward your scalp as high as you can. Hold this position to the count of 7. Hold this position for 7 seconds and slowly return to your eyes' natural position. Do this exercise for a total of 10-15 times.
Am I doing this correctly?  Make sure you are NOT making any lines in your forehead. If you are younger it may not show up until too late. I like the Smoothing the Brow exercise better as you are pulling up your skin so it does not crease it. (*Warning: Possible Wrinkle Hazard)

Eyes: Click Here for a Diagram of the Muscles Involved & Here As Well

Crow's Feet
Purpose: to eliminate "crow’s feet".
Targets: the orbicularis oculi, which are the muscles around the eyes.  
How to: 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, close your eyes; hold for 7 seconds and release.  Don't squeeze your eyes shut as this can cause wrinkles. Your eyelids should be smooth and devoid of little wrinkles from your closing them.
Am I doing this correctly? You should feel a tingling or slight burning sensation (like when at the gym) in area where your crow's feet are.  

Lid Stretches
Purpose: to tone and strengthen your upper eyelids. 
Targets:  the orbicularis oculi, the muscles around the eyes. 
How to: Raise your eyebrows while closing your eyes and opening your mouth slightly. Stretch your eyelids downward as you raise your eyebrows. Hold this position to the count of 10. Release the pressure very slowly and relax your eyelids. Then return to your normal position. Do this exercise 3-5 times.
Am I doing this correctly? Are your upper lid areas burning or cramping up like mine are? Then you are doing it right. Whodahthunkit? (*this made my eye muscles burn)

Cry-Baby (Lower Lids) 
Purpose: to alleviate drooping upper eyelids. 
Targets: the orbicularis oculi, the muscles around the eyes.
How to: Facing a mirror, place your thumb and forefinger of one hand lightly on the inside corners of your eyes, at the bridge of your nose - like trying to relieve a sinus headache. Close your eyes and squeeze the inside corners of your eyelids toward your fingers as tight as you can possibly can without causing discomfort. Hold this position to the count of 5. Do this exercise 3-5 times.
Am I doing this correctly? Well if you feel a little contraction of the lower lids shortly after releasing and feel like you're a little "teared up", then you did it correctly. You can even notice in a mirror, these "contractions". It feels pretty weird.

Lower Eye Lid Lift 
Purpose: to eliminate under-eye puffiness.
Targets: the orbicularis oculi, the muscles around the eyes. Concentrating on the lower lids and surrounding area.
How to: Gently place the three middle fingers on each hand on the area directly underneath the eye, pull down slightly; gently try to close your bottom lids and hold for 5 seconds for a total of 5 times at first - working up to 7-10 times.  If you have long nails, like me, you can use the outer sides of your index (pointer) fingers to gently pull the lids down.
Am I doing this correctly? I just do NOT have the lower lid strength to resist my actions. (*I cannot make up my mind about this one) 

Excess Under-Eye Baggage
Purpose: to eliminate under-eye puffiness.
Targets: the orbicularis oculi, the muscles around the eyes. Concentrating on the lower lids and surrounding area.
How to: Gently place your fingers underneath your eyes and slightly lift your lower lids (under eye area) without scrunching the eyebrows. Use the muscles of the lower lids to lift
the weight of your fingers and hold for 5 seconds for a total of 5 times at first - working up to 7-10 times.  If you have long nails, like me, you can use the outer sides of your index (pointer) fingers to gently pull the lids down.
Am I doing this correctly?  I just can't seem to figure this one out. (*This one pulls needlessly on my skin - I don't do it) 

Lower Lid & Baggage
Purpose: to tone your lower eyelid and under eye area.
Targets:  the orbicularis oculi, the muscles around the eyes. Concentrating on the lower lids and surrounding area.
How to: Gently close your eyes as though you were asleep. Keep your eyes closed and as relaxed as possible. Lift your lower lids upward relaxing all other facial muscles as much as possible. Hold this position to the count of 5. Slowly return your eyelids to your normal position. Do this exercise 3-5 times.
Am I doing this correctly? Well since you can't see if this is creasing your skin I suggest having someone watch you do it. And I can't even figure out how to use the lower lid muscle selectively. Crud!

Jeepers Peepers
Purpose: to eliminate minute wrinkles around the eyes (*I highly doubt it)
Targets: the orbicularis oculi, the muscles around the eyes.  
How to: Keep your face lax and your head straight. Open your eyes wide and stare as far as you can to the ceiling. "Begin moving your eyes slowly to the left imagining that you are in the center of the face of a giant clock and your eyes are trying to follow the tip of a somewhat fast moving minute hand as it traces all the way around the outside of the circle at which your face is at the center. Your eyes should complete the full circle in about 20 seconds. Do in both directions for a count of three, and concentrate on keeping your face, especially your forehead, neutral, and your eyes wide open. You don't want to crease your brow which might bring on or worsen forehead wrinkles." (sent to me by a visitor)
Am I doing this correctly?  I find this one ridiculous. But, hey anyone care to elaborate on if this actually works?

Don't Do This One!
Purpose: to alleviate sagginess of upper inside corner of the eye, just below the eyebrow.
Targets:  : the orbicularis oculi, the muscles around the eyes. 
How to: "Frown as hard as you can, bringing the eyebrows way down over your eyes. Try to make your eyebrows touch in the center. Hold this position to the count of 5. Lift your eyebrows as high as you can and open your eyes as wide as you can. Hold this position to the count of 5. Return your eyebrows and eyes to their normal position. Do these exercises 5 times." (seen on a message board)
Am I doing this correctly? (*Personally I find this to be a major wrinkle hazard and I do NOT recommend it - period.)

Nose: Click Here for a Diagram of the Muscles Involved

Groovin' The Nasolabial 
Purpose: Smoothes those nasty little grooves we get when we smile. Grrrrr!!!
Targets: the levator anguli oris (aka caninus), a facial muscle that arises from the maxilla, inclines downward to be inserted into the corner of the mouth, and draws the lips up and back. (Merriam-Webster) *(the maxilla is a facial area closest to the nose, under the eye)
How to: Place both thumbs under your top lip, grasp your lip with sides of index (pointers) fingers; pull your lip straight down and hold for 7 seconds. While holding your lip in place, contract your caninus muscle by trying to pull your lip up into a sneer; hold again for 7 seconds for a total of 5 times.
Am I doing this correctly? Do you think you look like a complete idiot? Then you are doing it correctly. No, I am kidding... if you feel a burning sensation in the nasolabial fold then you got it right!! This is difficult for me since I have really long nails.

Nosey
Purpose: I have no idea but I think to remove fine lines from the bridge of your nose and lift the tip, but I find this to be insane. I do however feel a burning sensation in my nasolabial area so perhaps it is to alleviate the deep folds we get there from smiling. (This was sent to me by a visitor)
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."
How to: "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."
Am I doing this correctly?  I don't know, is there a correct way to do this exercise??? I feel so violated when I do this. LOL! but I do feel a burning sensation when I do this.

Nose 2 
Purpose: to alleviate the lines on the bridge of your nose.  (This too was sent to me by a visitor).
Targets: "the procerus, a facial muscle that arises from the nasal bone and a cartilage in the side of the nose and that inserts into the skin of the forehead between the eyebrows 
How to: With your forehead relaxed, wrinkle up your nose, as hard as you can, until the lines across the bridge of your nose deepen. Draw the ends of your eyebrows down toward the bridge of your nose and try to make the lines deeper. Hold this position to the count of 5. Slowly lift your eyebrows hard and as high as you can while releasing the wrinkles from your nose. Hold to the count of 5. Return to your normal position. Do this exercise 5 times."
Am I doing this correctly? If you can pull this off without severely wrinkling your face then, go for it. It makes sense but you never know.

Nose 3
Purpose: to alleviate the hollows between your nose and cheeks. (sent in by a visitor)
Targets: the orbicularis oris (a muscle made up of several layers of fibers passing in different directions that encircles the mouth and controls most movements of the lips - Merriam-Webster), the quadratus labii superioris (a facial muscle arising from the lower margin of the orbit and inserting into the muscular substance of the upper lip which it elevates - Merriam-Webster) and the caput angulare. 
How to: Facing a mirror, open your mouth slightly and flare your nostrils very wide. Keep your nostrils flared while keeping your upper lip relaxed. Wrinkle your nose slowly as far as it will go. This should open your nostrils and draw you relaxed upper lip upward. Concentrate on your upper lip and use it to pull downward, and keep pulling it downward slowly until you nose is no longer wrinkled and your nose and upper are in their normal position. Repeat 4 more times.
Am I doing this correctly? If you can pull this off without wrinkling your nose like they want you to, then fine. If not, stick to the Nosey exercise.  (*Warning: Possible Wrinkle Hazard)

Cheeks: Click Here for a Diagram of the Muscles Involved & Here As Well

Cheek Raise
Purpose: to "raise" the cheeks.
Targets: the zygomaticus major (a slender band of muscle on each side of the face that arises from the zygomatic bone, inserts into the orbicularis oris and skin at the corner of the mouth, and acts to pull the corner of the mouth upward and backward when smiling or laughing - Merriam-Webster) and the quadratus labii superioris (a facial muscle arising from the lower margin of the orbit and inserting into the muscular substance of the upper lip which it elevates - Merriam-Webster)
How to: Take your three middle fingers, place them on the apples of your cheeks and push down (I don't know if they mean push down against your face or down towards the ground). Simultaneously, raise your cheeks as hard as you can by smiling. Tilt your head back when doing this exercise. 
Am I doing this correctly?  If you feel a burning or tingling sensation of the outer areas by the cheek bone and apples - you have it down! but, if it is making deep folds in your nasolabial area (lines from your nose to your mouth) then try not to or don't do it at all. (*Warning: Possible Wrinkle Hazard)

Lower Cheek Plumper (buccal fat area)
Purpose:  to alleviate and fill the hollows in the area of your cheekbone.
Targets:  the zygomaticus major (a slender band of muscle on each side of the face that arises from the zygomatic bone, inserts into the orbicularis oris and skin at the corner of the mouth, and acts to pull the corner of the mouth upward and backward when smiling or laughing - Merriam-Webster) and the quadratus labii superioris (a facial muscle arising from the lower margin of the orbit and inserting into the muscular substance of the upper lip which it elevates - Merriam-Webster)
How to: "Facing a mirror, raise you eyebrows while making a "crooked" grin with one side of your mouth. Relax the opposite side of your mouth as much as possible. You should be able to feel the pull of this muscle by placing your forefinger just below the corner of your eye. Slowly push the lower eye lid closed. Hold to the count of 5. Slowly return your cheek and eye to the normal position. Then repeat the exercise on the opposite eye. Do this exercise 5 times." (seen on a personal site somewhere)
Am I doing this correctly? If you look like a clown - you got it down. I feel a little tautness after I cease the movement so I must be doing something right. I don't like that it creases my forehead so I don't raise my eyebrows or press my lids down much at all when performing this exercise. And personally I *LIKE* having hollow cheeks - it makes my face look thinner and my cheekbones more pronounced.

Lower Cheek Press
Purpose:  to fill out the cheek hollows (which I don't want), and firm the face and lift it. 
Targets: "the masseter, a large muscle that raises the lower jaw and assists in mastication (chewing)."
How to: "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." 
Am I doing this correctly?  If you feel that familiar burn or tingle we've been talking about in the area of the lower cheeks (below the apples) then you are performing this exercise correctly. (sent in my a visitor who swears by this exercise)

Cheek 2 __________________________________________________
Purpose: to lift and firm the upper cheek area. 
Targets: the zygomaticus major (a slender band of muscle on each side of the face that arises from the zygomatic bone, inserts into the orbicularis oris and skin at the corner of the mouth, and acts to pull the corner of the mouth upward and backward when smiling or laughing - Merriam-Webster) and the quadratus labii superioris (a facial muscle arising from the lower margin of the orbit and inserting into the muscular substance of the upper lip which it elevates - Merriam-Webster) as well as the the orbicularis oris (a muscle made up of several layers of fibers passing in different directions that encircles the mouth and controls most movements of the lips - Merriam-Webster)
How to: Facing directly into a mirror, flare your nostrils and keep them flared. Raise the apples part of your cheeks up towards your eyes. You should be able to feel this muscle tighten when you place your forefingers just below the outside corners of your eyes. Tighten your cheek muscles beneath your fingers until your upper lip curls up. Try to touch you nose with your upper lip. Hold this position to the count of 5. Return your curled upper lip to it's normal position slowly. Do this exercise 5 times.
Am I doing this correctly?  If you are creating a fold between your upper lip and nose - or anywhere else for that matter, don't do it! (*Warning: Possible Wrinkle Hazard) 

Blowfish
Purpose: to firm the hollows of the cheek area. 
Targets:  the masseter, a large muscle that raises the lower jaw and assists in mastication (chewing) and the zygomaticus major (a slender band of muscle on each side of the face that arises from the zygomatic bone, inserts into the orbicularis oris and skin at the corner of the mouth, and acts to pull the corner of the mouth upward and backward when smiling or laughing - Merriam-Webster)
How to: With lips held tightly together, puff out your cheeks against the resistance of your lower cheek muscles, getting as creative as possible with working the air 'bubble' sideways as well as forward, always maintaining as much pressure and as much resistance at the same time as you can. Relax as frequently as necessary, but continuing until about a total of three minutes of active resistance has been perform.
Am I doing this correctly? Honestly I don't think there is a correct way to do this - I think this is bad news for your under lower lip area and chin.

Suction Cup
Purpose:  This exercise helps to firm loose skin in the lower-cheek area. 
Targets: the masseter, a large muscle that raises the lower jaw and assists in mastication (chewing) and the zygomaticus major (a slender band of muscle on each side of the face that arises from the zygomatic bone, inserts into the orbicularis oris and skin at the corner of the mouth, and acts to pull the corner of the mouth upward and backward when smiling or laughing - Merriam-Webster)
How to: Smile slightly holding your lips together. Holding your mouth in this position, suck the corners of your mouth in toward your teeth. With the corners of your mouth sucked in, try to pull the rest of your inner cheek in toward your teeth. Hold the contraction to the count of 10. Slowly release suction, then the smile. Do this exercise 5 times.
Am I doing this correctly?  I believe this to be a crock of you-know-what. Your using suction not any muscles here. If anyone begs to differ, please advise me.

Cheek/Lip Raiser
Purpose: This exercise will help to lift the corners of your mouth and your cheek. 
Targets: the zygomaticus major (a slender band of muscle on each side of the face that arises from the zygomatic bone, inserts into the orbicularis oris and skin at the corner of the mouth, and acts to pull the corner of the mouth upward and backward when smiling or laughing - Merriam-Webster)
How to: As you make a great, big smile, turn the corners of your mouth upward as far as possible. Try to make your smile wider and bigger while bobbing your head as if you were laughing. Hold this position to the count of 5.Slowly return your mouth to it's normal position. Do this exercise 5 times.
Am I doing this correctly? This is stupid. Period. I also think that excess smiling will cause major nasolabial folds. I hate to be such a pill, but it's true.

Mouth/Lips:  Click Here for a Diagram of the Muscles Involved & Here As Well

Nasolabial Groove 2
Purpose: This exercise will help alleviate deep furrows from your nose to your mouth. It helps fill in the furrows which outline the cheek and mouth.
Targets:  the quadratus labii superioris (a facial muscle arising from the lower margin of the orbit and inserting into the muscular substance of the upper lip which it elevates - Merriam-Webster) as well as the orbicularis oris (a muscle made up of several layers of fibers passing in different directions that encircles the mouth and controls most movements of the lips - Merriam-Webster)
How to: Place your lips together and smile. Turn the corners of your mouth upward. While smiling, turn your lips inward, covering your teeth to appear as though your were toothless. While holding this position, bring your mouth to the shape of an O. Slowly return to normal position. Do this exercise 5 times.
Am I doing this correctly? I can feel the tautness but in the lower cheek area. Again, if you can achieve this without crinkling the skin around the lips (or vermillion border) then fine.  (*Caution: Wrinkle Hazard) 

Lower Lip Curl
Purpose: Another I see no point in.
Targets:  the orbicularis oris (a muscle made up of several layers of fibers passing in different directions that encircles the mouth and controls most movements of the lips - Merriam-Webster)
How to: 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.
Am I doing this correctly? Again, I feel violated.

Upper Lip Smoother
Purpose:  This exercise helps smooth and firm the upper-lip area. 
Targets:  the orbicularis oris (a muscle made up of several layers of fibers passing in different directions that encircles the mouth and controls most movements of the lips - Merriam-Webster), the quadratus labii superioris (a facial muscle arising from the lower margin of the orbit and inserting into the muscular substance of the upper lip which it elevates - Merriam-Webster) and the risorius which pulls the mouth laterally. (Risorius: a narrow band of muscle fibers arising from the fascia over the masseter muscle, inserted into the tissues at the corner of the mouth, and acting to retract the angle of the mouth (Merriam-Webster)
How to: Part your lips slightly. Pucker your lips while holding this open position. Squeeze the nostrils of your nose together to bring more of a pucker to your upper lip. Keep the lower lip muscles as relaxed as possible. Hold to the count of 5. Slowly return your mouth to it's normal position. Do this exercise 5 times.
Am I doing this correctly? I only feel a minor burning sensation under the lower lip and nothing on the upper. So I can't advise if you are doing this right.

The Lip Stretch
Purpose: to firm the mouth area.
Targets:  the orbicularis oris (a muscle made up of several layers of fibers passing in different directions that encircles the mouth and controls most movements of the lips - Merriam-Webster) and the quadratus labii superioris which runs from the mouth to the inner eye.
How to: With lips together, but not at all puckered forward, stretch as far to the left as you can, then begin working your lips in a circular pattern slowly in one direction for a count of ten, then repeat in the opposite direction. Concentrate on stretching as far in all directions as you can, and not puckering at any time. Again, continue for a total of about three minutes.
Am I doing this correctly?  I think this is bad news - if you can achieve this without crinkling the skin around the lips (or vermillion border) then fine. If not, you could get those little lines that you sometimes see in smokers. (*Caution: Wrinkle Hazard) 

Turning Your Frown Upside Down II
Purpose: Laxness of this muscle causes a sad, depressed expression and contributes to furrows and pouches from the lower lip down. 
Targets: the orbicularis oris (a muscle made up of several layers of fibers passing in different directions that encircles the mouth and controls most movements of the lips - Merriam-Webster), and mentalis - tip of the chin.
How to: Bring your lips to pursed position. Push "pursed" lips upward, using the muscle at the tip of your chin. Hold the upward tension with your chin and pull the corners of your mouth downward. Hold this position to the count of 5. Slowly return your lips to the normal position. Do this exercise 5 times.
Am I doing this correctly?  Same as the previous exercise - if you can achieve this without crinkling the skin around the lips (or vermillion border) then fine. If not, you could get those little lines that you sometimes see in smokers AND a nasolabial groove to boot. (*Caution: Wrinkle Hazard) 

Grin and Bear It!
Purpose: The exercise helps to eliminate pouches at the corners of the mouth and firm the lower cheeks.
Targets: the zygomaticus major (a slender band of muscle on each side of the face that arises from the zygomatic bone, inserts into the orbicularis oris and skin at the corner of the mouth, and acts to pull the corner of the mouth upward and backward when smiling or laughing - Merriam-Webster)
How to: Hold the edges of your teeth together, lips closed over your teeth, throughout this exercise. Make a slit of a grin by slowly moving the corners of your mouth outward. Grin as wide as you can without showing any teeth. You should feel the pull at the corners of your mouth. Open corners slightly. Keep teeth together while bringing the corners of your mouth in, to an exaggerated "puckered kiss" position. Hold to the count of 5. Slowly return mouth to normal position. Do this exercise 5 times.
Am I doing this correctly?  Same as the previous exercise - if you can achieve this without crinkling the skin around the lips (or vermilion border) then fine. If not, you could get those little lines that you sometimes see in smokers AND a nasolabial groove to boot. (*Caution: Wrinkle Hazard) 

Jowls & Jaw line  Click Here for a Diagram of the Muscles Involved 

Jowl Un-sagger
Purpose: Lifts those aging, hound dog jowls.
Targets: the temporalis, the risorius and the masseter muscles.
How to: Pull your bottom lip over your top lip. Tilt your chin up slightly and smile towards the top of your ears. Hold for the count of ten. Repeat 5 times.
Am I doing this correctly? You should feel "the burn" in your jaw and throat. This burns and may work but it irritates my TMJ disorder.

For Jowls II
Purpose: This exercise helps to alleviate jowls and double chin.
Targets: the temporalis, the risorius and the masseter muscles. These all help in moving the jaw - side to side, chewing and clenching the jaw.
How to: Separate teeth slightly while keeping your lips together. Push your lower jaw forward as far as you can. Keeping your chin forward, slowly move it from side to side 6 times. Slowly bring your jaw back to its normal position. Do this exercise 10 times.
Am I doing this correctly?   Again, I can't do this one - my TMJ kills me after. 

Jowl De-sagger
Purpose: This exercise will help alleviate sagging jowls and firm and contour the sides of your face. 
Targets: the temporalis, the risorius and the masseter muscles. These all help in moving the jaw - side to side, chewing and clenching the jaw.
  How to: Close your mouth and clench your back teeth. Open the mouth as you release the clench. Slowly bring your lower jaw up until your back molars meet again, and bite down hard. Return you mouth to it's normal, relaxed position. Do this exercise 10 times.
Am I doing this correctly? The only thing I think this may do is give you a larger jaw bone like those who do steroids (although not as pronounced) or those who chew gum constantly (which I think is an awful habit). Other than that if you have TMJ this may aggravate it.

Lower Jaw
Purpose: to reinforce the loose skin in your lower cheeks. 
Targets: the masseter muscle (lower cheeks) and risorius.
How to: Press your lips together, smile slightly. Holding your mouth in this position, press the corners of your mouth in toward your teeth. Hold, then try to pull your inner cheeks in toward your teeth. Hold for 10 seconds, 5 times.
Am I doing this correctly?  I think this is bad news - if you can achieve this without crinkling the skin around the lips (or vermillion border) then fine. If not, you could get those little lines that you sometimes see in smokers. (*Caution: Wrinkle Hazard) 

For Jowls
Purpose: To help firm up jaws.
Targets:  the temporalis and the masseter muscles. These all help in moving the jaw - side to side, chewing and clenching the jaw.
How to: press your lips together, with your teeth separated slightly. Push lower jaw as far forward as you can, then move it from side to side six times. Return to first position. Do ten times.
Am I doing this correctly?  I can't do this one - my TMJ kills me after. I had to pop my jaw back in place after I did this the first time.

Chin:  Click Here for a Diagram of the Muscles Involved & Here As Well

Tongue Press/Sub-mental Lift:
Purpose: gets rid of that awful pudgey, looseness underneath the chin. REALLY WORKS!!
Targets: mylohyoid muscle, a flat triangular muscle on each side of the mouth that is located above the anterior belly of the digastric muscle, extends from the inner surface of the mandible to the hyoid bone, and with its mate on the opposite side forms the floor of the mouth. the muscle directly under the chin. 
How to: 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. 
Am I doing this correctly?  If you feel a tautness to your under chin area directly after you should be able to tell. Also it doesn't take long for improvement if you have little or medium laxity of the muscle and NOT lots of loose, mature skin.

Chin/Neck Stretch
Purpose: To tighten the upper neck and under chin area. I LIKE THIS ONE!!
Targets:  mylohyoid muscle and the platysmal (neck) muscle.
How to: Look at the ceiling and jut your jaw up away from its natural position as far as possible. Hold for 7 seconds for 5-10 times.
Am I doing this correctly?  You will be able to feel a tightness in the neck and under chin area.

Marionette Line-Dancing II (mouth to chin furrows)
Purpose: To ease furrows from mouth corners to chin, 
Targets: mentalis muscle and the quadratus labii
How to: lift your lower lip and "pout." Then pucker your lower lip as if you are trying to make both corners meet in the center. Release slowly, then return to first position. Repeat exercise five times.
Am I doing this correctly?  You should feel a burning sensation in the area directly under the corner of your lip to your chin and a little out to the side. I kind of don't like this one as far as the lip border is concerned - if you can achieve this without crinkling the skin around the lips (or vermilion border) then fine. If not, you could get those little lines that you sometimes see in smokers. (*Caution: Wrinkle Hazard) 

Double Chin II
Purpose:  For a double chin
Targets: under chin area
How to: To help correct a double chin, lie on a bed with your head hanging over the edge looking up toward the ceiling. Open your mouth slowly. Now, close your mouth slowly. Repeat ten times, counting each time you open your jaws.
Am I doing this correctly?  This seems pointless to me. But hey, it may work for you.

Double Chin III
Purpose: This exercise aids in closing the jaw and clenching the teeth. This exercise helps to alleviate a double chin.
Targets:  It starts as a broad, radiating muscle behind your ear and extends above your ear, into your temple, and narrows as it extends in front of your ear. As you do the exercise, place your forefingers in front of the earlobe, and then above the ear and you will feel this muscle work. 
How to: Hold your head upward, with chin tilted up slightly and lips firmly closed throughout the exercise. Getting as much distance between your lower and upper teeth as you can, slowly separate your lower teeth from your upper teeth without letting your lips part. Hold this position for the count of five. Do this exercise 20 times. Conclude one exaggerated "chewing" motion as you slowly return your teeth to the normal position.
Am I doing this correctly? This would seem to stimulate and tone the mentalis muscle and not the complete under area of the chin.

Chin Firmer
Purpose: The exercise will help rid you of a double chin as well as smooth the skin of the chin. 
Targets: This muscle originates just below the incisor teeth on each side of the lower jaw and terminate in the skin at the tip of the chin and moves the skin of the central portion of the chin. Place your forefinger at the dent in the lower center of your chin to feel the muscle work during the exercise.
How to: Your lips should relaxed and your mouth closed. Using you chin muscle, push your lower lip up into a "pout" position. Hold this position to the count of 5. Slowly return your chin to it's normal position. Do this exercise 5 times.
Am I doing this correctly? You should feel a burning sensation in the chin area. I hardly think that this can full tone anything  if  performed but hey - you can try it. Also, watch for wrinkles being formed around the lips! If it does wrinkle the vermillion border.- don't do it.

Chin lift
Purpose: Lifting the chin area. I didn't think chins dropped, I know underneath it does. I'll pass on this one.
Targets: the mentalis, the muscles in the chin. 
How to: Take your three center fingers, pull the chin down; and at the same time – curl the lower lip over the bottom teeth.
Am I doing this correctly? You should feel burning and tingling in the side bottom (not underneath) of your chin

Double Chin 
Purpose: Rids one of a double chin
Targets: neck and under chin muscles.
How to: Lie on your back on the bed or floor. Slowly raise your head, touching your chin to your chest. Then slowly lower your head back down. Repeat 10 times, working up to 50 a day when you are stronger.
Am I doing this correctly?  This can cause deeper, dynamic wrinkling of the neck and may even tone your neck to the point of adding bulk - which is not pretty on a woman, to me.

Marionette Line-Dancing (mouth to chin furrows)
Purpose: to alleviate the lines around the corners of the mouth to the bottom of the chin and to lift the cheeks.
Targets: the risorius, the muscles from the corner of the mouth straight back to the earlobe. 
How to: 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.
Am I doing this correctly? huh?

Neck: Click Here for a Diagram of the Muscles Involved, Here & Here As Well

Raise Your Head
Purpose: When this muscle is increased in size, it elongates the neck, which firms and smoothes the side of the neck. 
Targets: the sternocleidomastiodeus, (say that 10 times really fast) the major muscle of the neck.
How to: 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. 
Am I doing this correctly?  You neck should have that familiar burning sensation. (*and it gives you a wide, 'cordy' neck if you over do it)

The Neck Stretcher:
Purpose:  to tighten the neck and under chin area.
Targets:  the sternocleidomastiodeus, the major muscle of the neck.
How to: Tilt your head back about ten degrees (so that you're looking up slightly), and thrust your jaw forward and up so that you start with mouth closed. Now, leaving your head motionless, drop your chin slowly and forcefully down while tightening and pulling back on your forward neck muscles, opening your mouth very widely, and sticking your tongue out and down as far as possible. Hold for a count of three, then retract your tongue, close your mouth and jut your chin upward to return to the position you started in. Again, do for a total of about three minutes.
Am I doing this correctly? Do you feel and look like a freak? Are you resembling a skink land lizard? Hooray!! You got it!! Does it work? You tell me.

The Necker
Purpose: to smooth the skin of the neck and chest. 
Targets: One muscle is attached under the hollow of the chin, running under the jaw just above the neck, and up under the ear. A second muscle attaches at the center of the under chin and runs to the jaw. The third muscle attaches at the collar bone and the under ear. There are several other muscles from the shoulder to the under-ear area.
How to: Tip your head back so that you are looking at the ceiling. The further your head is back, the better the stretch. While looking at the ceiling, bring you lower lip up to an exaggerated pout position. Holding the pout position, pull the corners of your mouth outward, placing your hand beneath your chin to feel the muscles pulled tautly. Hold to the count of 5. Keep your hand in that position for the rest of the exercise. As you return your head to the normal position, move your head in such away that the muscles under the chin remain taut. This exercise should be done 5 times.
Am I doing this correctly? This is a weird one - so much to ask of your muscles. I still like the look to the ceiling and jut the chin forward and upward. You should feel burning and tautness after on the chin neck and upper chest.

Neck X-ercise II
Purpose: to strengthen the neck muscles to smooth a saggy neck. 
Targets: the muscle that thrusts the head forward, tilts it backward, brings it toward the shoulder and turns the head from side to side. This muscle also helps to hold your head upward.
How to: Lie on your back across a bed with your head hanging over the edge. Slowly raise your head so that it is level with your body. Hold to the count of five. Slowly lower your head back down. Do this exercise 10 times.
Am I doing this correctly? This is a basic exercise that everyone should do anyway. Just not excessively as it could cause bulk on a woman's neck - very unattractive, in my opinion,  if she is not a weightlifter.

Are There Risks?
The only risk I can see happening is more wrinkles if you do them wrong or if you are causing excess creasing over and over and over. Most persons who developed these exercises state that the risk of damage is not there and they say "look at me" - and you know what, they look damn good. But! How can we be sure? You can't. Well, the good news is if you DO get wrinkles from it, there are procedures to get rid of them! Procedures like NLite, Intense Pulsed Light Therapy, Chemical Peels and Lasers. So try it, see if it works, if it doesn't - well there are always other sections of the site to help you in your research for smoother, younger looking skin!

The Least You Need To Know

• Facial Exercises can't perform miracles. If you have been smoking and tanning all your life and are approaching 70, you will more than likely need something more invasive than a little facial twitching.
• The above exercises are not full facial exercise programs. They are exercises passed on by word of mouth, message boards, chat rooms and people's personal websites. I have not, in anyway, bought a program for the sole purpose of divulging their secrets. That would be illegal and it's in poor taste to steal one's copyrighted material anyway. If you need the full program and its "tech. support" - buy one. I don't want to force my legal team into the madness of a grandscale lawsuit.
• There are a few programs out there; how to know which ones work? Trial and error and reputation. We will attempt to try them out and report on them but results take time.
• If it doesn't work? Hey I didn't promise anything, but don't fret, there are other ways to force the skin to look youthful!

Related Links
Cynthia's Facial Cyber Spa (Facial Magic) 
FlexEffect - More Than Just Facial Exercises