Can Face Yoga Work? 7 Exercises for Marionette Lines

At the age of 20, you may notice necklines from frequently looking down, forehead lines from looking up, and marionette lines on your face that make you look older. These wrinkles primarily result from your poor habitual daily posture, with the root cause being natural aging. Aging causes collagen to start decreasing, skin loses elasticity and fine lines gradually form. Since the area around the mouth and chin has thinner skin than the rest of the face, it is more prone to wrinkles. They are also called marionette lines because they resemble the lines on a marionette's mouth.

Many of us worry about marionette lines, and although modern medical techniques have become an option for many, they often require significant time and money, with temporary results. Face yoga workouts serve a dual purpose by both strengthening and relaxing the facial muscles. With facial exercises, you can learn to relax tense muscles and release stress, thereby diminishing the existing wrinkles and preventing the formation of new ones.

Can Face Yoga for Marionette Lines Work?

Facial exercises offer a natural and effective alternative to smooth and eliminate wrinkles. However, for a targeted facial yoga workout, first, we need to understand the state of the facial muscles that form marionette lines.

Marionette lines are caused by the tension in specific muscles of the neck (the cervical vastus lateralis) and the muscles that run from the corners of the mouth to the chin (descending coracoid muscles). Both of them pull the lower face part downward. Additionally, gravity exacerbates this downward pull, causing the skin around the nose and chin to sag. The corners of your mouth line that were originally upward can also be affected by it and turn downward, making you look unhappy and older in general. Stress and tension are also one of the major contributors of wrinkles and fine lines. Our facial muscles tense up and express stress through our faces.

Puppet lines appear in your 20s and become deeper along with the effects of sun exposure and bad habits. By your 40s, the marionette lines will be very noticeable. The best way to get rid of marionette lines and improve your smile without invasive procedures is to practice face yoga, which helps to build the necessary muscles and tone and tighten the skin.

7 Exercises for Marionette Lines

Face yoga is similar to body yoga which requires complete relaxation of your mind and body before beginning. Try breathing slowly and deeply until you feel your body relax.

Koko Hayashi, a face yoga expert suggests gently massaging your chin to relieve tension in that muscle, as jaw muscles are hard and can take considerable pressure.

Natasha, the face yoga master, recommends light pressure applied when massaging the marionette lines since the skin around the nose and mouth is thin. “We don't want to rub the skin around the chin and overstretch it, which can lead to sagging lines. Applying the right amount of essential oils before the massage and practicing face yoga with a professionally guided session is the best way to avoid hurt.” Natasha said.

Exercise 1: Balloon Face

1. Sit down with your back straight.

2. Take a deep breath and fill your mouth with air, puffing out your cheeks.

3. Hold this position for 5 seconds.

4. Slowly exhale and relax your facial muscles.

5. Repeat 5 times.

Exercise 2: V-Lift

1. Place your index fingers on either side of your mouth.

2. Pull outward with some force while trying to smile, feeling the stretch in your facial muscles.

3. Hold this position for 5 seconds.

4. Relax your facial muscles.

5. Repeat 5 times.

Exercise 3: Fish Face

1. Inhale and suck in your cheeks, making a fish face.

2. Hold this position for 5 seconds.

3. Relax and return to normal breathing.

4. Repeat 5 times.

Exercise 4: Smile Lift

1. Smile and lift the corners of your mouth upwards.

2. Gently press the corners of your mouth with your fingers to add resistance.

3. Hold this position for 5 seconds.

4. Relax your facial muscles.

5. Repeat 5 times.

Exercise 5: Mouth “O” Shape

1. Open your mouth into a large “O” shape.

2. Gently press the corners of your mouth with your fingers to add resistance.

3. Hold this position for 5 seconds.

4. Relax your facial muscles.

5. Repeat 5 times.

Exercise 6: Tongue Push

1. Slightly open your mouth and push the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth.

2. Hold this position while smiling, feeling the stretch in your cheeks.

3. Hold this position for 5 seconds.

4. Relax your facial muscles.

5. Repeat 5 times.

Exercise 7: Cheek Press

1. Gently press your cheeks on either side of your nasolabial folds with your index and middle fingers.

2. Smile and feel the stretch in your facial muscles.

3. Hold this position for 5 seconds.

4. Relax your facial muscles.

5. Repeat 5 times.

Skincare Tips for Marionette Lines

You can see a visible lift in your face and a significant fading of marionette lines after consistently practicing face yoga for over 1 week. However, to enhance the results, you need to focus on regular skin care. Alongside daily cleansing and moisturizing, it’s essential to apply sunscreen, protecting your skin from UV damage. Maintaining a healthy diet supports stable weight and reduces the effects of gravity on marionette lines.