Does Facial Flex Work?

Although the concept of exercising facial muscles in order to achieve a youthful look is compelling, there is no credible evidence to suggest efficacy.  We exercise our facial muscles thousands of times a day, yet the aging process still marches on.  Consider other ways to spend your money!

Facial exercises can theoretically improve facial appearance however all the studies in peer reviewed literature that have been done up to this point have not shown exercises to be helpful. There are somethings that sometimes make sense but actually do not work. That is why we do studies and that is why any surgeon on here will probably not recommend it. 

Only two so-called studies exist on Facial-Flex. Both were written by the same authors, none of whom are doctors. The "studies" were written in 1992 and 1994 and apparently have never been replicated. They were not blinded studies. They were not published in plastic surgical journals. There is a lot to be skeptical of with such "research." The changes that occur in the face with aging have nothing to due with a lack of exercise of the muscles in the face. Age-related... more

Can't imagine this would work. As you age, the muscles might lengthen, along with the skin, and the ligaments that hold the facial tissues to your bones, but "toning" the muscles wouldn't do anything to fix the looseness in the ligaments and skin. Also, the device looks like it would only exercise the muscles around your mouth. This could worsen the wrinkling in that area and wouldn't help the rest of your face. If it works to your satisfaction, I'd love to hear it. I'm always... more

Facial aging has little to do with the size and tone of facial and in the case of the Flex, the muscles around the mouth. Getting these muscles rubbed with special lotions, zapped with electric massagers, doing neck sit ups, or in your case puckering exercises will do NOTHING for facial aging. These devices are just the latest is a long list of rejuvenation quack devices which preyed on the gullible practically since humans walked the face of the earth. You have already wasted your money... more

As you can see by the other answers, the chance of facial flex working for you is almost zero. There are so many people out there who will prey on you and your fears of surgery. They will sell you on any number of non-surgical options that don't work at all. Go to several experts in facial plastic surgery and see what can be done for you that will really work.

The facial exercises machines and facial muscle stimulaters simply do nothing to rejuvenate your face. The facial muscles do not respond to exercises like the muscles of your body as facial muscles are not weight bearing muscles. 

Flexing the facial muscles will not help with soft tissue descent.  It is like when patients ask me if they work out their chest muscles will the breasts get bigger or be lifted.  It doesn't work.

I've frequently been asked whether exercising the facial muscles can help to improve facial aging. While we're all convinced of the health benefits of exercising muscles in other parts of the body, the evidence is less compelling in the face because the excursions of the muscles are more complex and their influence on the overlying soft tissue less direct. I agree completely with Dr. Brzowski that aging tends to stretch the ligaments which connect the skin to the underlying facial muscles.... more

Although I have never heard of it 'Facial Flex' I did visit their website. Would a device such as this eliminate the need for a Facelift? It doesn't appear that this would work. Every day patients ask me about these 'quick fix' products. Patches, herbal pills, devices. We are all in search of the fountain of youth. This product won't lead you there.

I have researched products similar to these as part of my training in aesthetic surgery. Your facial muscles get plenty of exercise in the course of daily life and this device is very unlikely to provide any positive benefit. This device has been used by plastic surgeons in New York to stretch out the mouth for patients who have had reconstructive surgery and whose mouth openings are too small. This may be its only legitimate use. Sorry!