F l e x E f f e c t   F a c i a l b u i l d i n g®

Eureka Physical Therapy  in  Eureka, California
and Deborah Crowley founder of FlexEffect conduct an independent study on the effects of Facialialbuilding.

Under the direction of Deborah Crowley,a panel of healthy
females (average age 45) trained daily for a period of
two weeks in Facial Resistance Training (FlexEffect)

The results showed an average 35% increase
in facial muscle strength.  100% of the panelists
reported an increase in facial firmness.

FlexEffect Faciailbuilding is a new approach in
the recovery of Bell Palsy. Now being offered at
Mad River Hospital in Arcata, CA.

1997 News Article: Times Standard Eureka,California

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Skin Study Center   Broomall, PA
Facial Flex - Device  by: Facial Concepts

Dr. Gary L. Grove, Ph.D.  

An independent study consisting of a  panel of healthy older females with some signs of facial laxity followed a mechanically aided facial exercise program based on progressive resistance for 3 months.  Dr. Gary L. Grove, Ph.D., conducted the study at the Skin Study Center in Broomall, PA, a well known and highly regarded research facility utilized by many of the world's top cosmetic companies.  

By the end of the 3-month treatment period, highly significant differences were achieved.  The scientifically monitored changes in the panelist's facial structure were quite consistent with the primary perception of the panelists that their facial skin had become firmer and more elastic. The overall pattern of change also corresponded nicely to changes in the condition of their facial muscles as measured by the time they could hold a high resistance load. 

The data collected during this study clearly indicates that dynamic constant external resistance exercise performed twice daily with a resistance exercise device can noticeably improve facial muscle strength and decrease skin laxity.  It was found, however, that not everybody benefits to the same extent or in the same way.  Those who appear to need the most rehabilitation, with the "saggiest" skin obtain the greatest improvement. 

In general, E. R. Buskirk, author of Handbook of the Biology of Aging, concludes that physical alterations effected by regular exercise blunts the downward trend commonly associated with aging.   The results of Dr. Grove's study strongly suggest that this is true for the cutaneous muscles responsible for facial expression as well.

Other workers, most notably Morikawa and Nakamura, authors of Cutaneous Aging referring to the muscles in facial expression, also feel that the various patterns of wrinkles and slacks that characteristically occur at different again stages can be directly related to specific facial muscles.  Their view of the Japanese literature on this topic reveals that several groups have reported that programmed expressional exercise will improve facial appearance.  They also point out that strong motivation and patience are required to achieve effective results, and this is clearly the case with a progressive resistance device. However, if faithfully followed, a dynamic constant external resistance exercise program is an effective rehabilitation therapy for persons experiencing facial weakness and sagging skin.
http://www.facialconcepts.com

Loss of Fat

Authors:    V Vasques, M Garcia, E Cortes
                     Hospital da Lagoa, Rio de janeriok Brazil

Code:            WePeC6257

Title:             A new proposal to deal with facial lipodistrophy (LD)  =  loss of facial fat

Abstract:

Background: The highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is effective, but lipodistrophy (LD), mainly from face, is an adverse event that interferes with the self-steem and the adherence to treatment. As there is no treatment available for that condition, we study a muscular facial hypertrophy to fill the space left from the fat wasting.

Methods: We accompanied 6 male patients, with age ranging from 34 to 57 years, 2 with mild, 2 with moderate and 2 with severe LD. Their time on antiretroviral therapy ranged from 2 to 7 years. The time of LD appearance was difficult to ascertain. To study the improvement in LD, we made a protocol based on the phonological evaluation of the subjects, that included suction, mastication, deglutition and respiration, besides to the bio-mechanical alignment of phonological organs (lips, tongue, cheeks, mandibles, soft and hard palate and teeth). Each patient had a picture taken on resting facial position and smiling, before and 3 months after starting treatment. We used the orofacial mio-functional therapy to strength the facial muscles, working out cheeks, lips and tongue. The subjects were followed once a week for the first month by the phonologist, doing the exercises for 30 minutes 3 times a day at home. They were then followed every 2 weeks.

Results: Two subjects with mild LD and 1 with severe LD had a great improvement. The other patient with severe LD was lost to follow-up. The two subjects with moderate LD remained stable. The exercises led to hypertrophy of muscles involved in the facial expression and mastication, partially filling the facial fat wasting. The willingness for improvement and the emotional status influenced the outcome. Conclusions: That kind of treatment can be used early in the care of patients on HAART, acting as a preventive tool or delaying the onset of facial LD. A phonologist, to prevent asymmetries, chewing and oral occlusion problems, must orient the patient. Pictures will be presented.

Elastic Fiber of The Face

Department of Anatomy, School of Dentistry
Nippon Dental University,
Tokyo, Japan.

Unique Identifier: 98000409

Authors: Sato I.  Ueno R.  Sunohara M.   Sato T.

Title:   Quantitative morphology of dermal elastic fibers system of the human face during aging.

Source: Okajimas Folia Anatomica Japonica.   74(2-3):65-73, 1997 Aug.

Local Message:  Held at Gerstien, U of Toronto

Abstract:

Human skin has various distributions and arrangements of elastic fiber (EF). Previous reports did not clearly show the distribution of elastic fiber in the face skin because of various contents during aging. In this study, a color image analyzer indicated distribution of elastic, oxytalan, and muscle fibers in human face skin.

During aging the muscle fiber size and the content of the elastic fiber decreased in the modiolus and inferior labial regions of the human skin, and the ratio of the elastic fiber was lower than that of oxytalan fiber measured areas. That is, the dimension of oxytalan fiber may reflect the content of elastic fiber, and muscle has a role in the distribution of the elastic fiber in human face skin.

In the deeper regions, small and large elastic fiber bundles were found near the sheath of gland and muscles. Therefore, face movement might be an important aspect to maintaining the elastic fiber content of human face skin.

Facial Physical Theraphy

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

From the Facial Nerve Center at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Core Network, LLC,  Department of Physical Therapy at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, the Division of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Surgery, at the School of Medicine of the University of Pittsburgh.

Author:   Brach, Jennifer S.M.S., P.T.; VanSwearingen, Jessie M. Ph.d.,P.T.; Lenert, Joanne M.d.; Johnson, Peter. M.d.

Title:   Facial Neuromuscular Retraining for Oral Synkinesis.

Source:   Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.  99(7): 1922 - 1931, June 1997 Local Message:   Held at Gerstien, U of Toronto

Abstract:

The purpose of this paper is to describe the outcome of facial neuromuscular retraining for brow to oral and ocular to oral synkinesis in individuals with facial nerve disorders. 

Fourteen patients with unilateral facial nerve disorders and oral synkinesis who were enrolled in physical therapy for retraining were studied.Synkinesis was measured with quantitative video facial position analysis prior to the initiation of physical therapy and at regular intervals during retraining. Retraining included surface electromyographic biofeedback-assisted specific strategies for facial muscle reeducation and a home exercise program of specific facial movements.Twelve of 13 patients with brow to oral synkinesis and 12 of 14 patients with ocular to oral synkinesis reduced their synkinesis with retraining.

Patients with 1-year or greater duration of a facial neuromuscular disorder (excluding patients with unusually marked changes) demonstrated a significant decrease in brow to oral synkinesis and in ocular to oral synkinesies; there was a mean percentage decline in abnormal movement of 60.5 percent (SD=22.48) and 30.1 percent (SD = 62.57), respectively.

We conclude that brow to oral and ocular to oral synkineses associated with partial recovery from facial paralysis were reduced with facial neuromuscular retraining for individuals with facial nerve disorders.

Dr. Samuel Stegman ,
Associate Professor of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery
University of California - San Francisco

Notes: … the skin overlying the muscles that make expressions is folded virtually millions of time in our lifetime. I consider it remarkable that our skin is so durable that it can survive this with only a few wrinkles. We all smile and express ourselves at all ages of life, but it's not until the tissues themselves are assaulted by external factors like sun-damage that these creases begin to become permanent.

Building Facial Muscle

"They are a form of muscle called striated skeletal, just like all the other muscles of the arms and legs. They do have more of the properties of a slow than a fast skeletal muscle and are unique in some respects. I cannot think of any reason they cannot be built up just like other muscles. Most people have weak facial muscles. Because it is not learned very well, in most people their face tells their state of mind The facial muscles are not under good conscious control in many people. This leads some people to think they are involuntary but they are not. If they were involuntary they would be hard to train so perhaps that is why some people think they can not be built"

"…these exercises are difficult to describe but the purpose is to contract all different muscle groups in the face that you can, thus increasing their size and strength and helping to prevent facial sagging. STAY YOUTHFUL AND FIT A Doctor’s Guide.

Facial Sag

In an interview with Vogue Magazine, she was asked how to stop sagging facial muscles.  Her reply was "facial exercise."

“…As a physical therapist for 28 years, I have treated many patients with conditions that resulted in facial muscle weakness or paralysis. I wish that I had known about the FlexEffect program years ago.   After viewing Deb Crowley’s program I realized that my exercise programs for facial muscle training were inadequate and I was under training my patients from the neck up.  Deb’s program reminded me that for optimal results, all the muscles of the head and neck must be trained, not just a few.  All the facial muscles work together to maintain the contour of the face and control the movement of the forehead, eyes, nose, jaw and mouth. Deb’s program is easy to follow.  She clearly explains each exercise and demonstrates proper technique."

Slow Aging

Valori Treloar, M.D.
Board-Certified Dermatologist and Certified Nutrition Specialist
Boston, MA

“…I needed an exercise program to recommend to my patients and my internet search produced eight of them. Deb’s Flexeffect was the program with the best strength training focus.  Combining her bodybuilding expertise with a thorough knowledge of facial musculature, she has developed a program that makes sense physiologically.
Loss of muscle is not the only cause of aging of the face.  Decrease of fat pads, thinning of the layers of the skin, damage by ultraviolet light, poor nutrition all contribute.  However, facial exercise may well be one of the important ways we can help slow the aging process.”

Scientific Standpoint

Mark E. McGovern, M.D., FACC, FACP
Miami, Fl

"...I have been doing FlexEffect for over a year. My results, to say the least, have been fantastic.  I practice them about 20 - 25 minutes almost every day

From a scientific standpoint, facial exercises unquestionably work. Much as an applied program of bodybuilding   strengthens and enlarges the skeletal muscles, as well as tone and tighten the overlying skin, facial exercises do the same.  The skin and muscles in the face sag with time. A regular applied program of  facial exercise will strengthen and lift them, and tone and tighten the overlying skin as well.

Unfortunately, there are still many plastic surgeons that refute claims of the efficacy of facial exercises. It may simply be that they are not familiar with the programs or techniques.   It’s unimaginable to think, from a physiological point of view, that the effects of weight training stop at the neck."

Muscle Wasting

Why not exercise these facial muscles and take advantage of increased blood and lymphatic flow to the muscles and overlying skin resulting in increased muscle mass, vigor and tone to these structures? What do you have to loose…besides wrinkles? I believe that facial exercise as an adjunct to a healthy diet, nonsmoking lifestyle, and daily sunscreen use, can slow down if not reverse the ‘normal’ aging process."

Gerontoligists have conclusively proven:

Dr. Jennifer Sherwood

Post # 1295    

While reading about the flexeffect program and browsing the discussion board, I have noticed several references to the smooth skin of children compared to that of the sun damaged, aging skin of adults.  The reason kids can make thousands of expressions that do not result in wrinkles is not because of a lack of sun damage.  The epidermis of a newborn continuously grows to accommodate new growth in both musculature and skeletal structure.  Gerontoligists have conclusively proven that this growth can occur from birth to about twenty-five years of age, after which the human body slowly begins to decline.  At that point, when the epidermis is no longer growing and stretching, is when the ravages of gravity and sun damage begin to take effect.  This is exactly when a program like Flexeffect is most beneficial.  Through facial resistance training, a person is able to increase muscle mass, thus causing the epidermis to stretch and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.   Thank you for your time and I look forward to joining you all as a facial flexer.

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Facial Exercise

Dr Mark Berman

Former President of the California Academy of Cosmetic Surgeons.

"When you exercise, you tone and tighten the muscles in your body, so why not apply the same principles to your face?  I've seen the results, and it works.

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