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known as muscle fibers. These, in turn, are formed from smaller threads called myofibrils, which comprise even smaller strands, or filaments. The filaments slide past each other to contract the muscle and so exert a force. Your facial muscles play an important role in the way you look. They nestle closely together, sometimes even overlapping, and are joined to the skin in such a way that when they contract they pull the face into shape. By acting in combination they create the myriad expressions you use to reveal your conscious and unconscious feelings and interact with the world around you.

      All muscles maintain a slight tension at all times to hold your position against the force of gravity. This is called muscle tone. However, when you’re tense you tend to tighten the muscles for long periods, which impedes the flow of blood and starves them of oxygen and nutrients. For example, when driving a car in heavy traffic you tend to hunch over the wheel, developing tight, knotted muscles. Over time, the muscles become painfully tense and increasingly stiff. The best way to relax the muscles and restore their mobility is through massage and exercise. This is as true for the muscles of the face as it is for the rest of the body.

      Facial muscles contract to reveal different expressions. If those expressions become habitual the muscles may stiffen up. Through massage you can release muscular tension and restore mobility to the face, so helping to restore your youthful features.

      muscles of the face and neck

      Before we go any further, you should get to know your face in more detail. It may help to find out about some of the muscles that lie underneath your skin and learn the names of a few of the major ones. The following are some of the most important muscles worked in facial massage.

      muscles of the face and neck

      

Sternocleidomastoid – one of a pair of muscles on either side of the neck. It lifts your head when you’re lying down, bends and tilts your head, and rotates your head sideways towards your shoulder.

      muscles around the eyes

      

Corrugator supercilii – draws the eyebrows together in a frown and wrinkles the forehead vertically.

      

Frontalis – raises the eyebrows to show surprise and wrinkles the forehead skin horizontally.

      

Orbicularis oculi – narrows the eyes to frown and squint and closes the eyelid to wink. This muscle is the underlying cause of crow’s feet.

      

Procerus – draws the eyebrows down and together.

      muscles of the nose

      

Depressor septi – depresses the nostrils.

      

Levator labii superioris – flares the nostrils (and furrows the lips).

      muscles of the mouth

      

Buccinator – compresses the cheeks to blow a kiss, whistle, and suck.

      

Depressor anguli oris – draws the corners of the mouth downwards and laterally to form a grimace.

      

Depressor labii inferioris – draws the lower lip downwards to pout.

      

Levator labii superioris – opens the lips, and raises and furrows the upper lip (and flares the nostrils).

      

Mentalis – protrudes the lower lip and wrinkles the chin to express doubt.

      

Orbicularis oris – closes the mouth and purses and protrudes the lips to kiss and whistle, and also pulls the lips against the teeth.

      

Platysma – draws the corner of the mouth downwards and backwards to show horror.

      

Risorius – draws the corner of the mouth outwards to grin.

      

Zygomaticus major and minor – pulls the corner of the mouth upwards and outwards to smile.

      muscles of the jaw

      

Masseter – clenches the teeth and raises and closes the lower jaw tightly for chewing.

      

Temporalis – raises the lower jaw and presses it against the upper jaw to aid chewing.

      get to know your face

      The following exercises can help you to locate and identify some of the key muscles of the face.

      Place two fingers between your eyebrows and frown in a disapproving manner. You’ll feel a combination of the Procerus, which lies just above the nose, and the Corrugator supercilii, located above the eyebrow.

      Place a hand flat against your forehead and scrunch up your forehead. You’ll feel your hand being pulled up, mainly due to the contraction of the large Frontalis muscle. Working this muscle helps to increase oxygen and blood circulation through the forehead and around the eyes. This helps soften your brow, making you look more relaxed.

      Place two fingers of both hands on either side of your head, slightly above and in front of your ears, and clench your teeth. You’ll feel the wide Temporalis muscle, responsible for closing your jaw and aiding chewing.

      Close your eyes and gently place an index finger across the top of each eyelid. Keeping your eyes shut, widen your eyes as if trying to lift your eyelids. The delicate muscle you can feel is part of the Orbicularis Oculi, which encircles the eye.

      Separate the index and middle fingers of one hand to make a V shape. Place one finger on either side of your nose and try closing your

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