One of the first places on the face to show fine lines is the forehead. This area crinkles during many facial expressions. Showing surprise, performing a quizzical facial expression, or raising one eyebrow as a joke or to make a point all result in a creasing of this area. It’s not uncommon for people to notice the first faint signs of fine lines tracking their way across the forehead during the teen years, and most people in their twenties have a line or two if they peer closely. No wonder so many people are searching for ways to get rid of this premature aging sign!
The theory behind facial exercises is sound. Just like other areas of the body, our face is moved by muscles. Other muscles look better and firmer when they are exercised and toned; so many people assume that the facial muscles will benefit from the same treatment. Of course, facial exercises have to be a little bit different. Wrinkles do not occur in the muscles, but in the skin. Just like an older person can be in great shape and still have sagging, creased skin that gives away his or her true age, the facial muscles can be strong and toned, while the skin on top of them still has the unsightly creases we call wrinkles. Obviously the approach to toning and exercising the face has to be different than for toning the biceps! Rather than focus on working muscles, facial exercises must make use of the muscles to “train” the skin to lie flat rather than settle into creases. Doing facial exercises correctly can delay the onset of fine lines and wrinkles, and can improve the appearance of wrinkles that already exist, especially when used as part of a larger skin care regimen.
“Eyebrow Pull-Down”
This exercise should always be done in front of a mirror; otherwise you can do more harm than good without even realizing it! Just as raising the eyebrows can encourage creasing and wrinkling on the forehead, drawing them down can encourage the skin to lie flat again. Draw your eyebrows downwards as far as you can without furrowing your brow or squinting. Keep an eye on yourself in the mirror—if you notice any creasing between your eyebrows or around your eyes you are drawing your eyebrows down too far. Hold this position for 5-10 seconds, and repeat at least ten times, at least once a day. With practice, you will isolate the proper muscles and be able to draw your eyebrows further down without causing creasing in other areas.
Forehead Massage
To reduce the appearance of existing lines, put a small amount of anti-wrinkle cream or massage oil specially formulated for use on the face onto the ring finger of your right hand (or left, if you are left-handed.) Using your other hand, find a wrinkle or line on your forehead, and place a finger on each side of the line, applying just enough pressure to “stretch” the skin and cause the wrinkle to lie flat. Using the ring finger with anti-wrinkle cream or massage oil, massage in firm but gentle circles all along the length of the wrinkle or line. Do this for at least 1-2 minutes per line, at least twice a day. This massage encourages the skin to lie flat, and increases blood flow to the area to stimulate the production of new collagen. Over time, this can plump out the appearance of lines, especially if a good anti-wrinkle cream is used. LifeCell is a cream recommended by many users, including celebrities, for the “instant camouflage” effect that it has, as well as the long-term anti-aging benefits it provides.
“Rehearsal”
Preventing wrinkles is better than trying to reverse them later, and taking a few minutes every day for “rehearsal” in front of a mirror can do wonders when it comes to preventing wrinkles. Every day, try smiling in the mirror as wide as you can without also raising your eyebrows and encouraging forehead wrinkling. Also, it’s important to rehearse facial expressions like surprise, interest, and puzzlement without raising your eyebrows enough to cause creasing in your forehead skin. You might be surprised just how many facial expressions involve raising the eyebrows. For example, one way to indicate polite interest is to raise the eyebrows slightly. By practicing in front of a mirror, you can gain enough control over your facial muscles to portray all of your normal expressions, without causing unnecessary creasing (which leads to premature wrinkles). Hollywood celebrities do this all the time to make sure they can still act well, without causing wrinkles.
Something else that many celebrities are doing to keep a youthful, wrinkle-free look is getting HGH (Human Growth Hormone) injections. HGH is produced by the human body, but the amounts produced decrease as we age. HGH treatment has resulted in an increase in lean muscle mass, loss of fat mass, increased strength, vitality, and virility, and a younger look, including fewer wrinkles, for many people, and is promoted by stars such as Sylvester Stallone. HGH injections are illegal unless you have a prescription, and since they are so expensive, many people who do not have the money that Hollywood celebrities do are turning to HGH supplements instead. These supplements encourage your body to produce more of its own HGH, which has fewer side effects than injections. High quality supplements can be found with names such as Sytropin, Provacyl, GHR1000, Genfx, and Genf20 Plus.
No matter what treatment you prefer for getting rid of forehead wrinkles, remember that a healthy diet and exercise program combined with drinking plenty of water, will always help give your body the resources it needs to repair itself.
If you look into the mirror and you see something you don’t like, don’t crash the mirror down. Instead, inspect what are the things that seemed to be wrong with your face. Once you have fully accepted what are the problems in existence, you will be able to address all of them effectively. Acceptance is the first step towards fighting the dreadful signs of aging. Don’t worry, there is so much you can do to help slow down the process or not let it creep unto you. Doing facial exercises is but one option.