Facial muscle exercises have emerged as a noninvasive alternative to cosmetic procedures, aiming to rejuvenate the face by increasing muscle mass and improving skin tone. Recent research has tested various tools and methods, including oscillatory devices, neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), and voluntary isometric exercises, to assess their effect on facial muscle structure and soft tissue profiles. These approaches are gaining attention as consumers look for low-risk methods to enhance appearance without surgery or injections.

One controlled study involving 50 women used a device known as the Pao for 8 weeks, showing significant increases in the cross-sectional area of the zygomaticus major and digastric muscles. At the same time, reductions in facial surface distances, areas, and volumes were recorded, particularly in the midface and jawline, indicating improved muscle tone and reduced sagging (Hwang et al., 2018).

A broader review of facial muscle training also noted positive effects on facial muscle size and skin elasticity, particularly in middle-aged adults using NMES or facial isometric routines (Abe & Loenneke, 2019).

Further support comes from functional studies using transcutaneous electrical stimulation, which successfully induced visible muscle movements such as eyebrow raises and lip puckers in healthy participants (Ilves et al., 2018). These stimulations were rated as tolerable and occasionally even pleasant. However, the study noted that stimulating muscles like the zygomaticus major to evoke a smile was more challenging due to overlapping muscle activation. Additional evidence shows that jaw exercises can reduce facial pain and tension headaches, suggesting broader therapeutic applications beyond aesthetics (Lindfors et al., 2020).