Let’s say it’s a Monday evening, and you’ve just plopped yourself in front of your laptop after a hard day of work. You open up your favourite blog and your Facebook account. Your eyes stroll over to your notifications, and upon clicking, you find yourself tagged in a stream of photos. To your dismay, they look like anything but your usual self. Maybe the ‘photographer’ needs some lessons. Perhaps you’ll smirk instead of smile, or you might add a little more concealer under your eyes.

However, there’s a simple way to keep your beautiful face camera-ready. We’re not talking about a two-hour photo shoot preparation, but rather, a daily exercise routine that only takes a few minutes. With a few facial muscle exercises, you can spruce up those tissues to reveal the refreshing look you naturally possess! With that in mind, you won’t have to dread the flashes and clicks of a camera the next time someone calls for a ‘group photo’!

It’s a Crime When Photos Don’t Do You Justice 

That little word, ‘photogenic’, can feel like a swear word for some. For those who don’t feel like they are blessed with those features, there could be a degree of envy when they see others who seem to have them. If you feel that nature snubbed you of ‘model-like features’, there are good reasons for you to avoid this thinking.

While some people do have cheekbones and jaw lines that look great in photos, the quality of being ‘photogenic’ is actually subjective. When we label a person as photogenic, it usually doesn’t describe a feature or trait in detail. Rather, it simply means that the person looks good in the photo (or photos).

What this really means is that there are several reasons (besides a person’s look) that make them appear attractive on camera. It could be that the person knows subtle poses or movements that give their face a pleasing shape. Also, the hairstyle they sport when the photo is taken can also complement their face. And then there are things like lighting, angles, and camera settings that can affect the quality of a picture. That’s why there’s no point for you to be so hard on yourself!

The Factor of Facial Fitness 

A lot of the factors mentioned above are ones that hard for you to control. However, there is an overlooked aspect that you can control; your facial fitness. What a lot of people don’t realize, is that the condition of your muscles and tissues contribute to your facial expression. Remember, every time you laugh, smile, frown, or pout, several muscles work together to help make those expressions possible. So if you think that strong facial muscles don’t make a difference, think again! Facial muscle exercises help you to strengthen the tissues that influence the movement and appearance of your face.

Take this into consideration:

• It takes 5 muscle groups to smile (a total of 12 muscles) and 6 muscle groups to frown (a total of 11 muscles)
• Those who suffer from facial nerve disorders such as Bell’s Palsy, often lose the ability to make certain facial expressions
• Your facial muscles are the only muscles in your body that attach directly to the skin, and therefore, contribute to the shape of your face

As you can see from the points listed above, your facial muscles play a major role in your facial appearance. For the times your photos don’t come out right, there’s a good chance that your facial muscles were not cooperating. Perhaps they were too relaxed, too tense, or maybe lacked adequate blood flow. With the use of facial muscle exercises however, you can ensure that they get a vigorous workout that keeps strong and fine-tuned.

Keeping Your Face Muscles in Good Shape:

Isometric Exercises – These exercises involve the use of your fingers and fingers, and they are the easiest to work with. They are also very effective if you have minor issues such as puffiness and minor laugh lines.

Common Isometric Exercises Include:

• The Lion (Yoga Posture)
• Eye Lifts

Resistance Exercises – These exercises often involve the use of a device that massages the facial muscles by means of vibrations. These machines provide a more intensive workout since they work with the deep tissues of the face. These devices are more effective for more concerning skin issues, such as double chins and wrinkles.

Wave Goodbye to Procedures and Poses 

While there is a time and place for expensive cosmetic procedures and camera poses, they’re often unnecessary. The problem with these techniques is that they are short-term fixes for a problem that occurs over a long period of time. Most of the problems that occur with our faces start in the tissues, and many of those techniques don’t address these issues. In other words, they are just like putting a band-aid on a deep cut that really needs stitches.

Although cosmetic procedures offer the fastest results:

• They often require tons of maintenance
• They are very costly
• These procedures can carry some very damaging and even life-threatening risks
• Involve unnecessary pain and recovery times
• Sometimes fail to even fix the problem

If you don’t know how to pose, you’ll make things worse because:

• You might end up making a silly face that just raises eyebrows
• You may not a hide the problem at all
• You might position yourself in way that causes the image to look distorted

However, facial muscle exercises work well because they:

• Strengthen facial muscles and collagen
• Stimulate blood flow in the face
• Are cost-effective (It costs you nothing to massage your cheeks!)
• You can do them anywhere
• Virtually risk free (the only consequence may be a tingle)

So the Winner is…

The method that works best for you, ultimately depends on how you feel about your appearance. Realistically speaking, however, you most likely don’t need to go the invasive route. Neither is there a need for you to force yourself into an awkward and uncomfortable stance in order to hide a minor facial issue. The most natural and effective way to address the problem is by working with your body. In this case, facial muscle exercises go deep into your tissues, and tighten them so that your face looks youthful and radiant on the surface. When you consider that they are convenient, accessible, and cost-effective, it is hard to deny how they can help you out!