January 2007 - A Ten Minute Facelift

Our first meeting of the New Year was on 9th January at the White Hart Hotel, Andover.  This was a typically dismal, rainy, January evening, but, to counteract the weather outside, our members were treated to a light hearted and amusing talk from our guest speaker Viv Philpot entitled ‘A Ten Minute Facelift’. 

In the aftermath of the Christmas festivities, it was just the “lift” our members needed.

Viv, who has recently moved to Andover, trained as a silk screen painter and was originally a teacher. On retirement, she found time on her hands and started to visit the gym.  She found herself refreshed and stimulated from this activity and, when noticing the first signs of aging on her face, speculated on whether facial exercises would have the same effect on rejuvenating and refreshing the face.  She started researching what could be done and discovered a system of exercises devised in the United States.   After practising the exercises for a short time she found the same beneficial effect for her face as her body and became a convert.

Our skin is basically made up of three layers; the epidermis, the dermis and the hypodermis. As we age our skin loses collagen and elastin resulting in sagging, most evident in the face.  Collagen makes up approximately 3/4 of the dermis and it is this protein which is responsible for the strength of the skin. Elastin is responsible mainly for the elasticity of the skin.  She explained that our face contains 57 muscles, all which need to be used to maintain elasticity.  

One way to counteract this, of course, is to submit to surgery, but if, for whatever reason, this isn’t an option then gentle exercise is the answer.  By working on individual muscles, the exercises help to strengthen and lift the areas around the eyes, cheeks, mouth and jaw line. 

Viv took us through the series of movements so that we could feel exactly what was happening.  Amongst lots of laughter at the different facial expressions we were producing, we practised the exercises and all felt the effort of “working out” our faces in this way.   We came away feeling the benefits of just one session and I am sure we were all making an additional New Year’s resolution to continue.  So for just 10 minutes a day you can look younger and feel better.

left to right, Viv Philpot and Liz Scrace