There’s no denying that one of the main things we want from our skin care products is for them to help keep us looking youthful and radiant. And as a result, many of us are constantly on the hunt for powerhouse ingredients, products and treatments that will rewind the clock.

Although there are already countless anti-ageing options available to us all, there’s another technique that promises to take anywhere between five and ten years off your age – so you can understand why we felt the need to share it with you all.

The technique in question? Facial massaging.

Now, if you have one eyebrow firmly raised, we get it, we were a little skeptical, too. So, to find out more about the technique and how it works we spoke to creator of the Facial Magic Exercise System, Cynthia Rowland.

How do facial massaging exercises work?

According to Rowland, “Just like exercise for the body tightens the muscles in your buttocks and thighs, Facial Magic facial exercises work to lift, tone and tighten your facial muscles.” Essentially, Rowland’s system involves “simple isometric, resistance exercises to target and strengthen the underlying muscles of your face,” which when firmed and lifted enable “the youthful contour of your face to return, so skin looks younger, healthier and fresher,” explains Rowland.

Are all facial massages safe?

As facial massages mainly involve simple movements, there is a very low risk of causing any damage to the face if performed incorrectly, however Rowland stresses that not all facial massages are made the same.

“In fact, most facial exercise programs create and enhance existing wrinkles. When you see facial exercises that use exaggerated twists, puckers, funny faces and contortions, these types of movements will disappoint the user if they’re hoping for a natural facelift.”

Are different techniques needed for different parts of the face?

Unfortunately, one exercise isn’t suitable for the entire face, but rather the face “is divided into 15 regions with 18 proven exercises to correct the facial sagging. Exercises are offered for the nasal labial fold, jowls, pouches, neck and double chin, the dreaded wattle, upper lip, lower eyes, masseter contouring, crow’s feet, bridge of nose and tip of nose and the laugh lines,” says Rowland.

If you’d like to try one of Rowland’s exercises, follow the steps below:

1. Relax your eyebrow area and then place the three middle fingers of each hand directly under your eyebrows
2. Drop the palms of your hands flat against your face
3. With the pads of your fingertips directly under your eyebrows, push your eyebrows upwards and slightly outwards
4. Hold your eyebrows in this position with your eyes open
5. Slowly push your eyebrows down against your fingertips while holding your eyebrows high, and hold the contraction for five seconds
6. Remove your hands from your face
7. Breathe in deeply through your nose, and exhale through your nose
8. Repeat the exercise. This time hold the contraction for 10 seconds. At the seventh second, close your eyes, keeping your eyebrows held high
9. Remove your hands from your face. Breathe in deeply through your nose, and exhale through your nose. Begin again, holding the contraction for 10 seconds and closing your eyes at the seventh second. Repeat the movement again so that you have exercised for a total of 35 seconds

How quickly should you expect to see results?

Rowland says, “most people see results immediately but because the muscles are not sufficiently strengthened, the change does not last. It takes three to six weeks for these small muscles to hold the new look.”

If you’d rather stick to traditional anti-ageing formulas then find out the one ingredient your skin is crying out for.

What do you think about facial massaging? Will you be trying it out for yourself? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Image credit: Getty