title: Facial exercises for facial rejuvenation: a control group study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Facial exercises are a noninvasive alternative to medical approaches to facial rejuvenation. Logopedists could be involved in providing these exercises. Little research has been conducted, however, on the effectiveness of exercises for facial rejuvenation. This study assessed the effectiveness of 4 exercises purportedly reducing wrinkles and sagging of the facial skin.
  
  
  METHODS
  A control group study was conducted with 18 participants, 9 of whom (the experimental group) underwent daily training for 7 weeks. Pictures taken before and after 7 weeks of 5 facial areas (forehead, nasolabial folds, area above the upper lip, jawline and area under the chin) were evaluated by a panel of laypersons. In addition, the participants of the experimental group evaluated their own pictures. Evaluation included the pairwise presentation of pictures before and after 7 weeks and scoring of the same pictures by means of visual analogue scales in a random presentation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only one significant difference was found between the control and experimental group. In the experimental group, the picture after therapy of the upper lip was more frequently chosen to be the younger-looking one by the panel.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It cannot be concluded that facial exercises are effective. More systematic research is needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech Language Pathology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Marie-Camille
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: De Vos
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van den Brande
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Boone
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Borsel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004954:Esthetics; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005145:Face; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction; D008875:Middle Aged; D012060:Rejuvenation; D015595:Skin Aging; D017211:Treatment Failure