5 Effective Facial Yoga Exercises to Firm Sagging Cheeks: A Natural Lifting Effect

When you look in the mirror this morning, you see a "tired" expression on your face, but you've slept well.

You notice that your cheekbones aren't as prominent as they used to be, your jawline has softened, and your cheeks have drooped downwards (a look commonly referred to as "bulldog cheeks").

Most of us would initially react by buying a more expensive firming cream.

But let us tell you a secret: No cream can lift muscles.

Our faces, just like our bodies, are made up of muscles. Just as you need crunches to tighten your abdominal muscles, you need facial yoga to keep your cheeks in place.

Cosmetic products nourish the skin's surface (epidermis), while facial exercises strengthen the underlying structure (muscles and fascia).

In this guide, you'll discover the 5 most effective exercises to tighten sagging cheeks, proper pre-workout preparation, and why your face is actually connected to your spine.

1. Why do cheeks sag?

The primary cause of facial sagging isn't simply "skin laxity." The real culprits are fat pads losing volume, bone tissue wasting, and weakening muscles.

Facial muscles have a very important difference from body muscles:

While body muscles are attached from bone to bone, facial muscles have one end attached to the bone and the other end directly to the skin.

What does this mean? When your cheek muscles weaken and sag, they pull the skin attached to them down with them.

But the good news is that when you work and lift these muscles, your skin automatically lifts as well.

We call this a "Natural Facelift".

2. Preparation for Application: Lubrication and Protection

The "Golden Rule" you should know before starting face yoga is: Never exercise on dry skin.

If your skin lacks sufficient lubrication, manual manipulation can cause microscopic tears and even new wrinkles by tugging at the skin.

Therefore, you should use a natural facial oil that is suitable for your skin and does not clog pores.

• Preparation Steps: Cleanse your hands and face. Warm 3-4 drops of facial oil in your palms and apply to your entire face and neck using dabbing motions. You're ready when your skin feels "shiny and smooth".

3. 5 Miraculous Cheek Lifting Techniques

Perform the movements in front of a mirror, with your back straight and your shoulders relaxed.

1. The Balloon Technique

It stimulates muscles by pushing sagging cheeks from the inside and smooths out nasolabial (nose-lip) lines.

• How to do it: Fill your mouth with air (like a balloon). Hold the air in your right cheek for 5 seconds, then in your left cheek for 5 seconds, and finally in your upper lip for 5 seconds.

• Repeat: Repeat this cycle 5 times.

2. A Big "O" and a Smile (Cheek Lifter)

This is the most basic exercise targeting the cheekbones (zygomatic muscles).

• How to do it: Close your lips over your teeth to form a long, narrow "O" shape with your mouth. Without changing this position, try to smile using your cheek muscles (without squinting). You should feel your cheeks rising and falling.

• Repeat: Do this 10 times, holding the top position for 10 seconds on the last one.

3. Spoon Movement

It works the cheek muscles by isolating them.

• How to do it: Curl your lips inward, closing your teeth. Place a spoon between your lips and try to lift it upwards using only your cheek muscles. Make sure you are using your cheeks, not your jaw muscles.

• Repeat: Do 10 repetitions.

4. Manual "V" Lifting

This hand exercise both lifts the muscle and reduces swelling.

• How to do it: Place your palms on your chin. Gently but firmly pull your face upwards towards your temples with your hands. Hold for 5 seconds when you reach your temples, allowing the muscle to memorize its new position.

• Repeat: Apply slowly 5 times.

5. The Power of Language (Mewing)

The position of the tongue is vital for supporting the structure of the face.

• How to do it? While keeping your mouth closed throughout the day, press the entire body of your tongue, not just the tip, against the roof of your mouth. When your tongue pushes the roof of your mouth upwards, it provides support to your cheekbones from the inside and prevents your face from sagging.

4. The Hidden Danger: Posture and "Tech Neck" Syndrome

Are you doing face yoga but your cheeks are still sagging? The problem might not be in your face, but in your spine.

Facial anatomy is not independent of the neck muscles (Platysma).

"Tech Neck" (constantly tilting the head forward to look at a phone/computer), a common ailment of our time, shortens the neck muscles.

Every time you tilt your head forward, your neck muscles physically pull your face downwards. Your spine is the foundation of a building, and your face is its roof.

If the foundation is curved, the roof can never be straight.

Therefore, an effective facelift procedure begins not just with plumping the cheeks, but also with pulling the shoulders back and lengthening the neck.

Conclusion

Face yoga isn't about making random facial expressions. Working the wrong muscles or frowning while performing the movement can deepen existing wrinkles.

Also, as mentioned above, it's very difficult to create a lasting "lifting" effect on your face without correcting your posture.

Discover Polente Natural 's comprehensive treatment program, led by expert instructors, designed to address your skin, muscles, and skeletal system holistically.

For sagging cheeks, we especially recommend adding the following lessons to your routine:

1. FACE YOGA (Skin Coach)

To feel the muscles correctly and avoid making incorrect facial expressions:

• “Targeted muscle work for the chin area — minimal sets” (Basic workout for tightening the cheeks and jawline)

• "Awareness + micro-exercises to reduce expression wrinkles" (A safety guide to avoid making things worse while trying to make them better)

2. POSTURE AND PILATES (Licensed Instructor)

To correct a posture problem that pulls the face downwards:

• “Posture Correction Mini Series for Neck-Upper Back-Jawline” (This class enhances the effect of face yoga by 100%)

• "Morning spinal stretching set: 10 minutes before office"

3. Aromatherapy

To choose the right oil to protect your skin during exercise:

• “Aromatherapy to the skin barrier: safe dilution & choosing the right carrier”

If you want to lift your face, start with your spine and the right technique. Begin the transformation with Polente Natural expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long will it take to see results with facial yoga?

Facial muscles are smaller than body muscles, so they react more quickly. With regular use (5-6 days a week, 10-15 minutes a day), you can notice skin rejuvenation within 2-3 weeks and a visible tightening of the cheeks within 6-8 weeks.

2. Can I do facial yoga while I have fillers or Botox in my face?

Botox freezes muscles, while facial yoga activates them; these two work in opposite ways. It's best to start exercising when the effects of Botox begin to wear off. After filler treatments, you should wait at least 4 weeks (to prevent displacement) and always consult your doctor.

3. At what age should I start?

There is no age limit for face yoga. It can be done in your 20s for "prevention" (especially for posture), in your 30s and 40s to prevent sagging, and in your 50s and older for firming purposes.

4. Is it necessary to use facial oil during exercise?

Yes. Massaging and exercising dry skin can damage it due to friction. Using an oil suitable for your skin type (for example, jojoba oil for oily skin, avocado oil for dry skin) ensures smoother movements and reduces the risk of wrinkles.