Face yoga, a set of facial muscle exercises touted as a natural way to lift, tone, and rejuvenate the skin, is enjoying a global moment—supported by TikTok trends, wellness gurus, and hopeful adherents searching for non-invasive alternatives to cosmetic procedures. However, does the evidence match the buzz? The latest research, expert opinions, and international trends illuminate both the promise and limitations of this increasingly popular practice.
Originating from traditional yoga’s holistic approach to body and mind, facial yoga involves repetitive movements and exaggerated poses, such as “cheek sculpting,” “jaw firmer,” and “eyebrow lifter,” that purportedly counter wrinkles and sagging skin. Proponents argue that these exercises can strengthen underlying muscles, increase blood flow and oxygenation, and support natural facial fullness. Some Thai wellness influencers and beauty clinics have started to offer facial yoga classes, often incorporating meditation or traditional Thai massage, reflecting a blending of global, local, and ancient healing knowledge.
Recent scientific studies have attempted to directly measure the effects of face yoga. According to a 2025 pre-experimental clinical trial published in the journal BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, middle-aged women underwent 8 weeks of intensive face yoga routines focused on various facial muscles, including those most strongly associated with signs of aging such as the frontalis (forehead), orbicularis oculi (around the eyes), buccinator (cheeks), and digastric (jawline) (PMC12112979). The researchers used objective tools (specifically the Myoton®PRO device) to evaluate changes in muscle tonus, stiffness, and elasticity pre- and post-intervention. The results showed that face yoga led to decreased tension in superficial muscles, helping to counteract the “harshness” and pronounced facial lines associated with aging, while also improving muscle strength and elasticity—particularly in the buccinator and digastric (jaw area). Increased muscle elasticity theoretically translates to better support for the skin, which could reduce sagging and promote a firmer facial appearance.
The same study acknowledges critical limitations, however. The number of participants was small (only a dozen), all were women aged 45–55, and there was no control group for comparison. The study duration was moderately short—just eight weeks—and did not assess long-term benefits or durability. The authors stress that their findings should be considered preliminary and urge for much larger, longer, and more diverse clinical trials, as well as deeper investigations into both subjective satisfaction and measurable physiological changes. Experts recommend including male participants, various age groups, different ethnicities, and a practical evaluation of everyday effectiveness.
Similar cautious optimism emerged from a widely cited 2018 Northwestern University study, in which 16 middle-aged women performed daily 30-minute face yoga routines for 20 weeks (Verywell Health, CNN 2025). Dermatologists observing participants’ photos before and after the program agreed there were subtle improvements in mid-cheek and lower-cheek fullness, resulting in participants looking an average of nearly three years younger. Lead author, a professor of dermatology at Northwestern, cautioned in a CNN interview that the changes were “real but minimal” compared to surgical interventions or injectable fillers. “It’s potentially useful for people who absolutely do not want any cosmetic procedures because they’re concerned about the safety or the cost or the inconvenience,” he explained, highlighting face yoga’s role as a supplemental—not primary—strategy for facial rejuvenation.
Thai dermatologists echo this perspective, noting that subtle muscle hypertrophy (growth) beneath the skin can lend a slightly fuller, more youthful look, but dramatic transformations are unlikely, especially for individuals seeking to reverse advanced signs of aging. Local experts at top Bangkok aesthetic clinics suggest face yoga may be a beneficial part of an overall anti-aging regimen—alongside sunscreen, a healthy diet, gentle cleansing, and regular moisturizer use—but advise their clients to manage expectations and remain skeptical of miracle claims spread by social media. “Consistency and patience are much more important than intensity,” noted a leading Thai clinical researcher in facial aesthetics, who also pointed to the mental wellness benefits of mindful, meditative exercise—a core principle of traditional yoga.
It is important to note what scientific reviews do—and do not—say. A 2014 systematic review on the effectiveness of facial exercises for facial rejuvenation surveyed all available studies through that year (NCBI) and found that while some small-scale studies reported temporary improvements in muscle tone and skin appearance, the overall quality of the evidence was low and definitive conclusions could not be drawn. A more recent 2025 systematic review of clinical and anecdotal reports reached similar conclusions, highlighting both the growing global popularity of face yoga and the urgent need for more rigorous randomized controlled trials to address lingering questions about its real-world efficacy and possible risks.
Some scientific skepticism arises from the possibility of unintended consequences: repetitive muscle movements might, in theory, deepen wrinkles through repetitive folding of the skin (in the same way habitual frowning can create glabellar lines). However, prominent American and European dermatologists interviewed by CNN, Verywell Health, and TIME stress that most face yoga movements are well-tolerated and that only aggressive or poorly guided regimens—involving too much rubbing, stretching, or neglecting the delicate under-eye area—might do harm. In general, gentle self-massage and deliberate facial movement are considered safe, especially when instructed by qualified practitioners or guided by reputable sources.
Face yoga’s popularity reflects a broader shift toward natural, non-invasive, and holistic wellness choices, a trend increasingly evident among Thai urban millennials and wellness tourists. As opposed to high-cost, high-risk interventions like Botox or surgery, facial yoga offers an accessible, low-risk adjunct that aligns with Thai cultural values around self-care, traditional medicine, and mindfulness. Many practitioners incorporate it into daily routines alongside other “self-healing” practices, including traditional Thai massage, herbal skincare, and Buddhist meditation.
Instructions for some of the most popular face yoga poses are widely available (Verywell Health, Rolling Out):
- Eyebrow Lifter: Place three fingertips under each eyebrow, push gently upward, and smile as you try to pull your brows down. Hold for 20 seconds, repeat three times.
- Cheek Lifter: Create an “O” with your lips, curl your upper lip over your teeth, and smile. Place fingers on the top of your cheeks, lift, hold, and repeat.
- Happy Cheek Sculpting: Smile with lips rolled outward, then lift the cheek muscles with fingers, hold, and release.
- Jaw and Neck Firmer: With mouth open and saying “ahh,” curl the lower lip in, extend jaw, and “scoop” the jaw upward, repeating the motion.
- Upper Eyelid Firmer: Place fingers on the inner and outer corners of closed eyes, smile, squeeze the eyes, and roll eyeballs upward for 30 seconds.
To maximize results, experts recommend daily 20–30 minute routines. Some Thai practitioners integrate face yoga with traditional herbal balms or moisturizers for improved glide and added relaxation. Wellness resorts from Chiang Mai to Phuket have recently added facial yoga to their health and beauty packages, catering to both locals and “wellness tourists” seeking the latest global natural health trends.
The main challenge, as emphasized in the latest reviews, is consistency: facial yoga improvements are gradual and subtle, usually emerging after several weeks or months of regular practice, rather than overnight. Moreover, individual results depend on factors such as age, genetics, baseline muscle tone, diet, sun protection, and lifestyle habits. For those seeking immediate, dramatic results, modern aesthetic medicine remains the gold standard, though at a higher price and with greater risk.
From a cultural and historical perspective, facial self-massage and muscle training are not new to Thailand. Age-old beauty practices from royal Thai court traditions included gentle facial acupressure and herbal compress massage, both designed to improve circulation, relax facial tension, and cultivate a radiant complexion. The modern face yoga movement merely revives and globalizes these principles, marrying them with the ancient yoga tradition of mindfulness and self-discipline. This reflects a wider trend—seen across Thailand’s wellness sector—of blending ancient wisdom with contemporary science for holistic self-care.
What does the future hold for face yoga in Thailand and globally? The rapidly growing facial yoga ecosystem now encompasses local classes, YouTube tutorials, smartphone apps, dedicated instructors, and even beauty brands that market facial oils specifically for smoothing the skin during exercise. As research continues, especially in Asia where plastic surgery is less culturally accepted than in the West, face yoga is likely to maintain or expand its appeal—provided ongoing scientific investigation clarifies its real potential.
The practical takeaway for Thai readers: If you enjoy face yoga and find it relaxing or confidence-boosting, it is almost certainly safe, affordable, and aligns with local traditions of natural beauty and mindfulness. However, treat extravagant online claims with healthy skepticism, and if you have specific skin concerns or conditions, consult a dermatologist before starting. Remember, effective facial rejuvenation is always multifactorial—requiring sun protection, a balanced diet, healthy stress management, and avoidance of smoking and excessive alcohol. Incorporating gentle facial exercises can be a fun and sustainable supplement to your personal wellness routine, but not a magic cure.
For those looking to try face yoga, begin with simple, well-instructed exercises, ideally under the guidance of a trained practitioner or via respected online resources. Combine the routine with daily self-care—use sunscreen, moisturize, and maintain a healthy diet, as recommended by Thai dermatologists. With mindful practice and realistic expectations, face yoga offers Thai readers and wellness seekers everywhere a gentle, empowering path to skin health and self-care.
Citations:
- Can Face Yoga Transform Your Skin? Verywell Health
- Effect of Intensive Face Yoga on Facial Muscles - PMC
- Face Yoga: Does it actually work? CNN
- The Natural Facelift Revolution: Rolling Out
- Facial exercise - Wikipedia
- Systematic review: facial exercises for facial rejuvenation (2014)
- Face Yoga Study - ClinicalTrials.gov