BLOG 136: REDUCE FINE LIP LINES WITH 4 FACIAL MASSAGE TIPS

The fine lines that appear around our lips as we get older are often known as smoker’s lines. But you don’t need to be a smoker to get them.

We naturally produce less collagen and elastin as we age, which can lead to our lips looking less plump. The muscle around the mouth, the orbicularis oris, also tends to weaken as we get older, causing the skin to droop and wrinkle.

In this blog post, I’m going to share four facial massage techniques that target the lips and reduce those fine lines. These moves stimulate blood circulation, boost collagen production, and help to strengthen the muscle around our mouths.

This sequence also helps to naturally plump your lips – if you look in the mirror after going through these four moves, you should see that your lips instantly seem smoother and fuller.

If you prefer to follow a video, there’s a guide to these massage techniques available via my YouTube channel.

BEFORE YOU START

Make sure you have clean hands and a clean face before you begin this facial massage routine. Make yourself comfortable – ideally in front of a mirror, so you can see what you’re doing.

Apply a few drops of serum to the skin around your mouth. I use my Fusion by Danielle Collins Pro Lift Facial Moisturising Serum, which is specifically designed for use with face yoga. It gives a lovely glide to your skin, but also absorbs easily and is non-greasy, so you can leave it on once you are done with the routine.

If you don’t have any serum to hand, you could use lip balm or facial oil instead. I don’t suggest using your normal moisturiser, however – most moisturisers absorb too quickly and won’t give you the glide you need for facial massage.

Always work to your own level with any face yoga or facial massage routine. And remember, there’s no need to press hard. Often, we think we need to use heavy pressure to get the benefits of massage. In fact, going lighter is often more beneficial. Listen to your skin and do what feels right for you.

1. SMOOTH OVER LIPS

Bring the index and middle fingers of both hands to the centre of your upper lip. Smooth out to the corner of your mouth and back to centre again.

Continue for around a minute. Then repeat the action on your lower lip.

This simple massage starts to stimulate the circulation, bringing fresh blood, oxygen, and nutrients up to the skin’s surface. It also encourages collagen production, helping your lips to look plumper and smoother.

2. “O” SHAPE

Form an “O” shape with your mouth. You don’t need to be too exaggerated with it. Then, tuck your lips around your teeth a little.

Holding your mouth in this position, use your index fingers to massage around your lips. Start with both fingers together in the centre of your upper lip. Then, move down and around each side of your mouth so that your fingers meet again in the middle of your lower lip.

Smooth back up and then repeat this action for around a minute. You can keep the pressure quite light for this massage.

The massage stimulates the blood circulation, while the position of your mouth works the orbicularis oris muscle, which runs right around the mouth area. Lifting and toning this muscle helps to tighten and tauten the attached skin, reducing and preventing those fine lines.

3. LIP SQUEEZE

Use both your hands to squeeze your lips together. Have your index and middle finger on your upper lip and your thumb below your lower lip. Squeeze down into the muscle.

Hold this position for around 30 seconds. Release and then repeat the move two more times.

As you hold the squeeze, bring your focus to your breath. Inhale and exhale through your nose, letting your abdomen rise and fall as you breathe. Use this deep, calming breath to help you relax and release tension and stress.

This technique will be familiar if you have my latest book, the Face Yoga Journal. It is great for bringing fresh blood and oxygen to the lip area, as well as waking up the muscle around your mouth.

4. FLICK

Using one index finger, rapidly flick upwards along your lower lip, moving from one side to the other and back again. Continue working on your bottom lip for 30 seconds to a minute, then repeat the action on your upper lip.

You can keep your lips together while you flick.

This massage technique boosts blood circulation and stimulates collagen production, helping your lips look fuller and plumper. 

DONE!

We’re all finished. In total, this massage sequence should only take around five minutes, making it an easy addition to your existing skincare routine.

When you’ve done all the moves, look in the mirror. Already, you should see your lips looking plumper and smoother. You should also notice fewer of those fine lines. Using these techniques regularly will help to keep your lips and the skin around your mouth looking firm, bright, and smooth.

I regularly update my YouTube channel, blog, and social media with free, simple face yoga and facial massage routines you can use to lift and tone your face naturally. If you’d like an easy way to stay up to date, sign up for my email newsletter.

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