Skincare Fact or Fiction: Firming Facial Skin Care Exercises

Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) January 28, 2008 -- Stretch, flex, one, two and three. Hold it. Feel the burn. While these are words typically associated with a workout session at the gym, many women are now stretching and flexing their faces in hopes of firming and toning their skin. Skincare-News.com's latest article, "Firming Facial Exercises: Fact or Fiction?" examines first of all why the skin sags and loses firmness, and second, whether facial exercises can prevent this. http://www.skincare-news.com/articles.php?ArtID=496

Reasons for loss of firmness

Multiple factors contribute to our loss of firmness, including sun exposure, collagen loss and facial expressions.

First, sun exposure can cause damage because of harmful UVA and UVB rays. Sun damage causes skin to become thinner and drier, prompting a breakdown in structure and saggy skin.

Skin also loses firmness because of collagen loss. Collagen is key in keeping skin firm and taut. It affects skin's overall feel and texture. With age, however, collagen production slows down -- and so the skin starts to lose its firm and plump feel.

Third, facial expressions can lead to sagging skin, lines and wrinkles. All those years of smiling, frowning, glaring and squinting add up, taking a toll on your skin.

Debunking the claims of facial exercise

Can facial exercise actually help firm our skin? No, say dermatologists. Regardless of how many squints, squeezes or puckers people do, facial exercises won't counteract sagging skin. They can't undo sun damage. Also, unlike building muscle tone in other areas, collagen can't be created with exercise. Put quite simply, loss of collagen leads to loss of firmness, and because facial exercises won't produce more collagen, they won't work to firm the skin.

Even worse, facial exercises can actually do the opposite: As mentioned earlier, repeated facial expressions cause lines and wrinkles. So, the squinting and puckering movements involved in facial exercises will actually give unwanted lines and wrinkles.

Instead of trying to contort the face into twisted expressions, try to hold relaxed poses with the face at ease, eyes and mouth gently closed. These relaxed poses can help release facial tension, particularly along the jaw, which in turn, can keep skin firm and reduce lines and wrinkles.

Second, gentle massaging of the face using just the fingertips can have a beneficial firming effect. Estheticians, technicians and nurses frequently perform massages before a facial treatment or chemical procedure. It improves circulation and draws bacteria and toxins to your skin's surface for easier removal.

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So much goes into the care and feeding of great skin, but in our haste to get the newest cream, or check out the latest wrinkle serum, we forget some of the whole-body skincare techniques we can call on to keep our skin clear, glowing and healthy. And while the health benefits of exercise is not new information, the beneficial impact exercise has on skin is a side-effect that often gets overlooked.

About SkinCare-News.com -- "Your Source for Intelligent Skin Care"

Skincare-News.com is the online source for consumers seeking intelligent beauty and skin care news, advice, tips and articles. Founded in 2005, SkinCare-News.com features articles, news items and frequently asked questions on skincare and beauty related issues. SkinCare-News.com is located in Sacramento, California, but receives visitors from all around the world. For more information, visit http://www.skincare-news.com.

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