Facial Exercises for Nasolabial Folds

Nasolabial folds are those unsightly "parentheses" signs that form as you age and run from the sides of your nose to the area around the corners of your mouth. These folds are often one of the first signs of aging that appear on your face, according to Dr. Yael Halaas. These folds can be corrected through cosmetic surgery, but can also be mitigated by performing facial exercises. Be sure that you check with your doctor to ensure that your condition is not caused by a more serious problem.

This exercise strengthens your facial muscles isometrically to help diminish your nasolabial folds. Begin by sitting down in a comfortable chair with your head tilted back as if you were looking at something on the ceiling. Purse your lips together as if you were forming a kiss and extend your lips to try to kiss the ceiling. Hold this position for about 15 seconds, and then return to the starting position with your head looking forward. The website Wrinkle Free Skin Tips recommends that you perform four repetitions of this exercise two times daily.

This exercise is specifically designed to treat the nasolabial folds, according to cosmetologist and author Asha Bachani. It is performed by placing the index and middle fingers of both hands on both sides of your mouth and pulling backwards with your hands to stretch the skin toward your ears. While holding this stretch, Bachani recommends puckering your mouth in a pouting position. Hold this pucker and stretch for 10 seconds and repeat 10 times.

Stick the index fingers of both hands inside the corners of your mouth and pull them apart to stretch your mouth about a quarter of an inch. Hold this position for a couple of seconds and then tighten the muscles around your mouth to pull your fingers closer together while continuing to apply resistance with your hands. You should perform 25 to 50 repetitions of this exercise daily, according to ShapeYourFace.com.