| Author | Message | ||
     Bill Morgan New member Username: Bill Post Number: 1 Registered: 11-2008 |
I had very thin lips and thought that exercise number 2 would help, and it definitely did, it only took about 4 days, but now i have noticed that the muscles at the side of my lips the ones the go round your lips are much larger than they used to be, it makes it look like there are 2 pockets of fat at the sides of my lips but its actually just the muscle, i have never had this problem before i realise that doing the exercise 4 times a day is probably what caused it. i have stopped as of now but am wondering if it will go back to normal? | ||
| C M New member Username: Ceeme Post Number: 101 Registered: 06-2007 |
I believe it will. The good thing about face exercises is that unless you do something that is so aggressive that you damage the components of the skin, when you stop working out, everything returns to where it would be if you had not been doing the exercises. Bill Morgan, I would suggest not to overdo any exercise. If you would like an exercise for plumping up lips, Carole Maggio offers one in her book (Exercise 8 on page 66). I see someone has posted the exercise on the link below. It's the exercise referred to as Facercise 2: Lip Facercise | ||
| Bill Morgan New member Username: Bill Post Number: 2 Registered: 11-2008 |
thank you, So just to clarify if you do an exercise to much or strain the muscle to much, you can and will do irreversible damage, But if you do them properly the muscles will go back to normal, how long would you say to wait for changes? Ill be more careful in future. | ||
| C M New member Username: Ceeme Post Number: 103 Registered: 06-2007 |
No, what I meant is if you overdo an exercise, chances are you can overbuild muscles and get an awkward look. But if you stop, in time things go back to normal. On the other hand, if you did a program--and there are some out there--that was extremely aggressive where you are asked to pull on skin very hard, I suspect that you could damage skin elasticity and your face may not return to normal even after you stop. My suggesting that you don't overdo an exercise was just because all muscles are related so if you do one at the expense of the others, then that muscle you're working will develop ahead of others or pull on others in a weird way so you don't get a uniform, balanced lift/build. Just wanted to add that I personally haven't done Maggio's program enough to know if the lip exercise works (I actually don't have thin lips so I'd not be a good judge anyway). | ||
| Bill Morgan New member Username: Bill Post Number: 3 Registered: 11-2008 |
I'm really glad to hear the muscles will go back to normal as i have actually noticed a downward pull on my lips caused by the muscles, by the way i was also doing an exercise on my cheeks and jaw/neck at the same time, i don't know if either of them could be the cause. But i have stopped all of them just in case. I think i will start looking into a program. I also purchased an Ebook of the Carol Maggio book some time ago, i believe she also has an edition for men, My only problem with her exercises are that she gives poor explanations of some exercises and the demonstration pictures are useless. I have heard that the video is much better though. | ||
| C M New member Username: Ceeme Post Number: 104 Registered: 06-2007 |
Question Bill: you say you were doing an exercise on your cheeks. Where did you get that exercise from, if you don't mind my asking? I always tell people that if you are doing face exercises, to be sure you do all of the exercises from a certain program and not just some. Most authors of face exercise programs have the programs designed so that all the exercises complement each other. So if you only do one from here, another from there, chances are you'll have a very awkward build. Indeed learning face exercises for the first time is easier by video, but once you get the general idea, it's easy to understand another program even if it was only in a book. I have heard great things about Maggio's program from those who do it. I know from personal experience that Eva Fraser and Carolyn Cleaves have awesome programs. All three can be gotten on DVD. But whatever program you choose, please be sure to do it in its entirety. If you look at Tom's diagram of the anatomy of the face, it's easy why it would not be wise to "spot train". | ||
| Thomas Hagerty Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 115 Registered: 05-2006 |
C M: I wonder what you think of Paula Begoun's latest comments about facial exercise. This is from her Beauty Bulletin posted on her website - http://www.cosmeticscop.com. Dear Paula CM, I like Paula Begoun because she writes honestly and intelligently about about skin, hair, and health. But her total dismissal of facial exercise bewilders me. And her last paragraph is condescending toward women like Linda who perhaps have had some positive results from facial exercise programs. She implies that they are deluding themselves about the benefits of facial exercise. | ||
| Ellie New member Username: Ellie Post Number: 17 Registered: 10-2008 |
I input the ingredients of one of Paula's skin care products into: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ and it did not look good at all. No wonder, with all the: Acrylates Copolymer (suspending agent and film former), Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil (plant oil/emollient), C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate (thickener), Polysorbate-80 (emulsifier),Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol (slip agents), Laureth-4 (surfactant), Tetrasodium EDTA (chelating agent) So, if she thinks that these toxic ingredients help your skin look good, then it gives you quite clear picture of her deep delusion about facial exercises. | ||
| Thomas Hagerty Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 116 Registered: 05-2006 |
Ellie: I didn't know about the Cosmetics Database you linked to. It's now on my favorites list. This is a great resource. I just looked up Listerine Tooth Defense Anticavity Fluoride Rinse. The dentists at Ohio State University recommend this. After reading the Cosmetics Database report on this product, I threw the plastic bottle in the trash. | ||
| C M New member Username: Ceeme Post Number: 105 Registered: 06-2007 |
Tom, I would direct Paula to people like Carolyn Cleaves who understand more about how Face Exercises address those issues as while I know Paula's off base, I might not be able to clarify things for her as well as someone who understands it better. Was this posted on a website or blog where one could post a response? I know Paula fancies herself the guru of cosmetics but I honestly don't think I'd even consider her a source of information on anatomy and physiology. People like Dr Pickart who studies aging of the skin even endorses face exercises, as do doctors that other face exercises teachers work with. So what gives her authority on this subject? And the fact that she approves of poison that paralyzes muscles as a solution makes me even more doubtful of her knowledge in the subject. She says that face exercises do not address collagen loss and elastin loss (Really?)...and I suppose Botox does???? Give me a blinking break. I am tickled that in her "wisdom/knowledge" that the only solution she could come up with is Botox. Not Retin-A or Copper Peptides or any of the other anti-aging facials people get. So making muscles immobile till they atrophy is supposed to be a good move? Is she serious???? She might have a point in a lot of things cosmetic, but she is definitely clueless in the field of face exercises. How can she explain all the people who've had success with them? How can she dismiss something she's never tried? I am sure the first time the idea of Reflexology was heard by "experts", they dismissed it as pure hocus pocus rubbish. Yet the idea of zone therapy or acupressure is now practiced in Integrated Medicine. Natural alternative methods without the dangerous side effects of traditional medicine are being adopted in lieu of old methods. I suspect one day Paula will realize the folly of her advice and eat her words. I wonder if she gets commission from those who administer or promote Botox. I still can't get around my head the fact that she encourages people to go for that frozen dead look Botox gives. Loss of expression is a good thing?  For anyone who wants to read the argument FOR face exercises, check out this link: http://www.carolynsfacialfitness.com/Facialexerciseswork.html I hope Linda sees this link. | ||
| Ellie New member Username: Ellie Post Number: 18 Registered: 10-2008 |
Tom, I am glad you did away with Listerine. Nowadays, I do not trust any brand name any more, as Clorox own Burt's Bee, Colgate owns Tom's of Main and the list goes on. So go figure how & when Clorox will promote organic ingredients when its main selling item is toxic chemical. | ||
| C M New member Username: Ceeme Post Number: 106 Registered: 06-2007 |
Tom, I just went to her website and did a search on face exercises and I am amused at her total denial. Look at YOU for crying out loud!!! And Carolyn, and Eva.... What cloud is Paula floating on? In particular, Carolyn has so many progress photos where you can see the difference the exercise made to her over the years. And she started face exercises late in life, as did Eva Fraser. I don't suppose they had the collagen or elasticity of youth in their 50's when they started the exercises yet look at them now. They look better than those who use Botox or even Paula herself, in my humble opinion, and I imagine they are much older than she is and than most of those using Botox. So again, WHAT in the world is Paula talking about???? | ||
| C M New member Username: Ceeme Post Number: 107 Registered: 06-2007 |
Tom, here's a review I found very believable about Paula. It sort of confirmed my suspicions about her lack of knowledge. I mean, I suspected that you couldn't place her on the same level as Dr Loren Pickart who's actually a scientist in the field of skincare, but I didn't realize how uninformed she was. Funny, I've seen her book on bookshelves but never been tempted to buy it. It's been recommended to me but I always seem to push it to the bottom of my wish list. I'm so glad I never bothered buying it. http://www.epinions.com/review/Don_t_Go_to_the_Cosmetics_Counter_Without_Me_A_Un ique_Guide_to_over_30_000_Products_Plus_the_Latest_Skin_Care_Research_by_Paula_B egoun/content_78407437956 | ||
| Thomas Hagerty Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 117 Registered: 05-2006 |
CM: That's a powerful review. It shows what a skilled writer can do to damage a person's reputation. I don't know enough about cosmetics or the cosmetics industry to comment intelligently on this woman's long critique. It has certainly given me something to think about though. I still think her book Don't Go Shopping for Hair-Care Products Without Me is excellent. There are really sound ideas about hair care in this book, and these ideas are presented clearly. She is a good writer. But you and I completely disagree with her about facial exercise. Her condemnation of facial exercise is almost ideological. | ||
| C M New member Username: Ceeme Post Number: 108 Registered: 06-2007 |
I don't think it is just good writing that is damaging to Paula's rep. The good writing did make it clear to understand the point of the reviewer's argument, but I think she put forth a very good and sober review of a book that was apparently written with an air of authority on a subject the author had not done enough research on. Maybe a revision of the book could redeem Paula? BTW, what does Paula think of skin remodeling agents like copper peptides, I wonder? I don't use them myself as I'm too chicken to try new things when what I'm doing is currently working. But on Skin Biology, many people report great success with them. One of the models has done both face exercises as well as used Skin Biology remodeling agents and there is definitely an improvement in his face. His testimony and photos are at this link: http://www.skinbio.com/beforeafterpicts.html And I think Dr Loren Pickart's own appearance is a testament to how well his products must work--that is, if this is the man himself. Of course I have no idea how old he is in this photo but I have to admit that his skin looks lovely:  | ||
| Thomas Hagerty Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 119 Registered: 05-2006 |
CM: Take a look at the third set of before-and-after photos. You will see in the "after" photo that the light is more intensely focused on where the nose meets the brow. This more intense light removes the horizontal line that was previously there. Other photos in the series have also been manipulated with lights and filters. These are essentially deceptive photos. CM, look at these photos again. Am I being to hard in my skeptical assessment? | ||
| C M New member Username: Ceeme Post Number: 109 Registered: 06-2007 |
I see what you mean Tom but it wasn't even that part where the nose joins the brow that caught my attention; it was more how his eyes are not hooded anymore. So even if there might be some help from the lighting, there's an obvious lift of his brow revealing more of his upper eyelids and thus giving him a more alert look. It's the same lift I see in the new before/after photos on Carolyn's website: Look at Maria's frontal view; a lift in her upper face gives her a more awake and younger look | ||
| Thomas Hagerty Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 120 Registered: 05-2006 |
CM: I see what you mean about the lift of Maria's brow. This lift does give the eyes a more alert and youthful look. But I'm always skeptical about before-and-after photos. Look again at the before photos. They are darker; the after photos are much lighter. This is accomplished with a filter or different lighting. | ||
| C M New member Username: Ceeme Post Number: 110 Registered: 06-2007 |
The before pictures are darker, you're right. But that's why rather than look for "disappeared" lines, I look for physical change like how the eyebrows are lifted in Maria's after photo and how big her eyes look. Also in the before photo, her upper eyelids are hooded so much that you cannot see the eyelids at all. In the after photo, you can see that her eyelids are partly revealed. The same changes are seen in the photos on SkinBio. I actually like that fact that there are 3 sets of photos...lest anyone think one was just a fluke. The third set that you believe used lighting to manipulate results actually I find very believable not because that sag at the top of the nose is missing, but because just like Maria, the eyes look bigger and his upper eyelids are more revealed. It is as if the forehead has tightened up pulling everything up with it. I used to have hooded eyelids as a teen but I have no hint of that at all now, which might be why I'm quick to spot that change in others. The second set of photos seem to use the opposite lighting effect but the change in his eyes is evident. There seems to be a thickening of the skin--an effect of SkinBio products from what I understand--and hence the hollow that was in the inner upper corner of his eye seems to be filled in. That change is still evident in the third set of pictures which seem to have been taken later judging from the bigger changes. So yes, I am aware of lighting and how it can affect the appearance of shadows and visibility of lines. That's why I look for much more than subtle changes. |
