Face yoga is getting increasingly popular these days — and for good reason. Many people are becoming disappointed with invasive cosmetic treatments that often deliver only temporary results, come at a high cost, and may involve health risks and side effects. As a result, there is a growing search for healthier, more sustainable alternatives, and face yoga has emerged as one of the most widely discussed natural approaches to facial ageing.

But the question remains: is face yoga a scam, or does it really work?

Why Face Yoga Makes Sense

Face yoga definitely works — although not every approach or technique delivers the same results. Like the rest of the body, the face is made up of bones, muscles, fatty tissue, fascia and connective tissue. However, most conventional anti-ageing methods focus almost entirely on the skin and blame the skin for all visible signs of ageing.

Imagine trying to change the shape of your body by applying cream alone, without exercising the muscles beneath. It would be unrealistic. The same principle applies to the face. Face yoga works with the deeper structures of the face, not just the surface.

The human face contains 8 skeletal muscles responsible for jaw movement and 27 mimetic muscles that control facial expressions such as smiling, frowning, laughing and raising the eyebrows. Over time, habitual tension, poor posture and reduced muscle engagement can contribute to sagging, asymmetry and deepening lines. The purpose of face yoga is to bring these muscles back into physiological balance.

What the Research Shows

Scientific research into face yoga is still emerging, but early findings are encouraging. A well-known study published in JAMA Dermatology found that women aged 40–65 who practised facial exercises consistently over 20 weeks appeared nearly three years younger, particularly due to improved fullness in the mid- and lower-face areas¹. This supports the idea that targeted facial muscle engagement can influence facial appearance.

Other clinical studies have shown that face yoga may improve muscle elasticity, stiffness and tone, suggesting benefits for connective tissue health and overall facial structure². While large-scale studies are still needed, these findings indicate that face yoga is far from a meaningless trend.

Why Some People Don’t See Results

Just as with body exercise, technique, guidance and consistency matter. You can go to the gym and see no results — or even injure yourself. That doesn’t mean that going to gym is bad for you, it means the approach was wrong.

The same applies to face yoga. It is a system, and most people benefit from initial guidance and support to ensure exercises are performed correctly and tailored to their unique facial structure and concerns.

Frequency also plays a crucial role. If you went to the gym once a month, you wouldn’t expect visible changes. With face yoga, 5–10 minutes a day is generally enough to produce results, provided the practice is consistent. 

Personalised Support at Magical Medicine

At Magical Medicine, we offer personalised face yoga consultations and tailored plans designed to help you achieve the best results as efficiently as possible. With expert guidance, most people notice visible changes after the very first session. More dramatic improvements typically become noticeable after around three weeks of consistent practice. 

So, Is Face Yoga a Scam?

No — face yoga is not a scam. It is a natural, non-invasive practice that works with the body’s own structures to support facial tone, balance and vitality. While it is not a miracle cure, when practised correctly and consistently, face yoga can be a powerful tool for those seeking a sustainable, holistic approach to ageing well.

References

Alam M. et al. Association of Facial Exercise With the Appearance of Aging, JAMA Dermatology, 2018.
Pre-experimental clinical trials on facial muscle elasticity and tonus, PubMed / MDPI, 2022–2024.
Harvard Health Publishing. Does your face need a workout? Harvard Medical School, 2019.