Warning, graphic image included. Jillian was left devastated after a traumatic dog bite incident left her needing 37 stitches – but face yoga ‘changed her life’
Following a traumatic dog bite that required as many as 37 stitches in and around her mouth, Jillian Osborne was left feeling distraught. “It wasn’t the main scar I hated most; it was the tiny stitch marks. I felt like Frankenstein,” she said.
At 48, Jillian was heartbroken and her self-esteem took a hit due to the incident. However, she credits face yoga with helping her heal the 37-stitch facial scar and improve her skin, and is now sharing her journey of non-invasive recovery.
“I couldn’t believe the changes I was seeing with yoga,” she said. “The blood flow improvements meant my scarring began to fade, and I even saw other changes, like my dark circles fading. Now, my lips appear fuller, and my fine lines have softened.”
As her skin healed, so did her self-perception, helping her develop a newfound confidence. After finding success with face yoga, Jillian now works with the face yoga app Luvly to create courses that enable others to reap the benefits face yoga brought into her life, reports Gloucestershire Live.
“Face yoga has been around for centuries, but we are seeing an increasing number of users tapping into the technique to heal their wounds,” Jillian said. “With step-by-step guidance, face yoga apps can be used to improve technique, monitor their journey, and build lasting habits.”
What exactly is face yoga, and does it work?
Face yoga encompasses a range of facial exercises, massage methods, and stretches designed to tone and fortify the face’s muscles. These exercises can potentially improve one’s appearance and promote relaxation, offering a natural and safe alternative to surgical interventions.
The practice of face yoga is thought to help lessen wrinkles, decrease puffiness, and ease tension by using repetitive movements and exaggerated facial expressions that target specific muscle groups. It’s also believed to stimulate blood flow to the face, delivering nutrients and oxygen to skin cells.
It could aid in relaxing muscles, alleviating tension, and enhancing circulation. Some face yoga routines incorporate acupressure techniques that may stimulate certain points on the face. By strengthening and toning the facial muscles, face yoga might assist in reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
These exercises could potentially lift and firm drooping skin, thereby improving facial contours. Enhancing blood circulation and lymphatic drainage may help diminish facial puffiness. Facial massages and exercises could also relieve tension and stress in the facial area.
Some studies suggest that face yoga could improve facial aesthetics and muscle tone, particularly in middle-aged women. However, the research is limited, and results can differ based on personal factors and regularity of practice.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association discovered that engaging in a 30-minute facial exercise routine daily or every other day for 20 weeks could result in a slight improvement in the facial appearance of some middle-aged women.
Experts advise that to see substantial improvements, one should consistently practice face yoga, ideally daily. It’s crucial to master the correct techniques for each exercise to avoid straining or worsening wrinkles.