How the research was carried out
The researchers analysed 16 healthy women aged between 40 and 65 years old with skin damage from UV radiation, mild to moderate facial skin cell degeneration and an interest in facial exercises between March and July 2013.
All of the participants attended two 90-minute facial exercise sessions from a trained instructor who taught them how to do 32 workouts including smiling and sucking in their cheeks.
They then performed 30-minute exercises every day for eight weeks at home.
Nine to 20 weeks into the study, the participants practiced the movements every other day.
Two doctors assessed the participants "before and after" photographs to assess any changes to their appearances. They also estimated the participants' ages.
The participants completed a questionnaire that rated how satisfied they were with the results.
Face yoga knocks two years off people's suspected ages
Results reveal facial yoga makes people look significantly younger after just 20 weeks.
Women who were judged to look 50.8 years old, are thought to be 49.6 and 48.1 years old after eight and 20 weeks, respectively, of exercising their faces.
The study's participants were highly satisfied with the outcomes, noting significant improvement in 18 out of 20 of their facial features.
Upper and lower cheek fullness was particularly improved.
The findings were published in the journal JAMA Dermatology.
Too much facial yoga may cause wrinkles
Dr Alam adds, however, certain facial exercises may be aging.
For instance, frequently frowning can cause people to develop deep vertical creases between their eyebrows, while smiling can lead to crow's feet around the eyes.
It is unclear how long it takes for such exercises to have a potentially negative impact on people's appearances.
Dr Alam said: 'Maybe we can "have our cake and eat it, too," meaning we can build up our cheek muscles without doing many exercises that worsen the [wrinkles in the] forehead and eyelids.
"Facial attractiveness and youth are associated with a smooth, full facial contour, so even a modest improvement of facial contour is a win for patients.
"[These are] non-invasive, non-toxic, at-home exercises that anyone can perform [that] can possibly slow or correct the appearance of volume loss in the face."
