Face yoga: putting the trend to the test

Although most of us try to exercise and stretch regularly to keep our bodies healthy, we often forget to care for our facial muscles in the same way. And while skincare products serve to hydrate, brighten and nourish your complexion, practising face yoga can help create a more youthful, toned face shape by softening muscles and reducing signs of tension. 

Over the past few years, face yoga has surged in popularity, thanks in no small part to TikTok and celebrity endorsers like Meghan Markle and Gwyneth Paltrow. Studios and clinics have arrived in London, New York, Milan and Tokyo, and as this beauty and wellness trend begins to take root here in Hong Kong, our Content Editor, Sarah Lau, gives it a try. Read on to learn all about the benefits of face yoga and where you can experience it in the city. 

How does face yoga work? 

Face yoga consists of a series of movements, stretches and massages for your face. These are designed to naturally sculpt, lift and strengthen individual face muscles.  

What are the benefits of face yoga?

According to a study published in JAMA Dermatology , facial exercise may rejuvenate ageing faces by targeting deeper substructural volume loss of fat and muscle. In particular, significant improvements were seen in upper and lower cheek fullness.  

Face yoga exercises aim to increase blood flow to your face and stimulate the production of collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin fibres, resulting in firmer skin and fuller-looking contours. They also release tension from muscles and nerves around the face, head and neck, making them ideal for those whose stress often manifests on their faces.

How was our experience with face yoga? 

Hoping to reap the benefits of face yoga, I visited beauty specialist Skin Retreat to give it a try. The brand offers a machine-based version of the treatment which allows you to lie back and relax, while the instrument, called the LPG Endermologie, does all the work for you.  

The treatment is non-invasive, and said to be pain-free with no recovery time needed. The machine essentially gives you a mechanical massage, using a rolling motion to stimulate skin and reactivate cell processes. Its three main benefits are: reduced water retention thanks to micro-pulsations which improve lymphatic circulation; a more even, radiant complexion through tissue oxygenation which speeds up skin metabolism; and firmer facial contours and tighter skin through the stimulation of fat cells. If you struggle with bloating or a stubborn double chin, this treatment could be for you.  

At Skin Retreat, you’ll be greeted by calming, ocean-blue interiors and top-notch service. Before your treatment, you’ll receive a personalised skin consultation to determine your skin’s current condition and problem areas that may require extra attention. You’ll then enter one of the clinic’s relaxing treatment rooms, where an experienced facialist will prep your skin with a deep cleanse that gently exfoliates skin to remove impurities.  

On to the face yoga treatment: following a set order of movements, the machine travels vertically and horizontally along the neck, jawline, cheekbones, forehead, and undereye area. Its low, constant hum and gentle vibrations are incredibly calming – towards the end, I even found myself beginning to drift off to sleep. Afterwards, you’ll receive post-treatment care with eyebrow shaping services, a face mask, and a neck and shoulder massage for holistic pampering.  

So, did it work? After the treatment, I did notice that the contours of my face, cheekbones and jawline felt sharper and more defined. My complexion also looked smoother, with a lit-from-within glow.  

However, the effects of face yoga are said to last for just two to three days, so it’s recommended that you visit at least once a week to reap the full benefits – or just before a special occasion. Being non-invasive, you can apply makeup immediately afterwards, meaning you can easily pop by the clinic after work before heading to dinner. 

Where can you try face yoga in Hong Kong? 

Skin Retreat has two conveniently located branches – one in Causeway Bay and another in Sha Tin. Alternatively, you can check out the treatment at VITAE’s FaceGym^™ ; it aims to help you achieve a youthful, heart-shaped face while tackling sagging skin, fine lines and wrinkles, or head to Alive Wellness for a facial reflexology session. To experience face yoga with friends or colleagues, book a duo, group or corporate face yoga session with The Sacred Happiness – they also teach the traditional practice of gua sha.