Does your face feel fat? Here's how to lose that extra weight around your face

The cheeks happen to be one of the first parts of the face to change as we grow older. — TNS

Mirror, mirror on the wall, why is my face getting plumper by the day?

Just like we aspire to have trimmer bodies, we also want slimmer faces, but darn it, that facial fat can be hard to lose.

This fat is usually more visible in the cheeks, jowls, under the chin and neck, and is more noticeable in people with less pronounced facial features.

It can jiggle when you chew, partake in physical activity, or even laugh – it looks cute on a child, but not always on an adult.

We are all born with different face structures, sizes and shapes.

This explains why some people carry a little extra weight on their face.

You’ve probably seen skinny persons with chubby faces, and big fellas with small faces.

People gain and lose weight all the time; however, this fat gain or loss is seldom in the body part that we desire as fat is distributed differently for every individual.

You might be able to lose weight everywhere but on your hips, or you might be able to see an in- crease in muscles all over except on your calves.

Although genetics prompts variations, the cheeks tend to be one of the first parts of the face to change as we grow older.

Over time, ligaments loosen and fatty tissue begins to drift down, making the cheeks appear flat, hollowed, and yes, droopy.

Now, if you’re born with high cheekbones, which is a marker of conventional attractiveness, consider yourself lucky as the bone structure helps provide subcutaneous support, so thinning and sagging of the skin is less prominent.

Having high cheekbones means that the widest part of your face is just beneath the eyes, causing the cheek to dip in slightly beneath the bone – it’s not the same as having fat cheeks.

Spot reduction: A myth

By now, you should realise that spot reduction, i.e. losing weight from a specific area via targeted exercise, is a myth.

To lose fat, your output has to be more than your input, i.e. you have to burn more calories than you eat. By doing this, you will create a calorie deficit that causes your body to use energy stored in your cells in the form of fat.

When those cells are used for energy, they start to decrease in size. As a result, the body may get smaller as it holds less stored fat.

Facials cannot help in trimming fat from your face, no matter what the beauticians might tell you. — AFP

So, while spot reduction can be effective in building muscles and toning a certain area, it won’t necessarily help you lose fat in a particular section.

Shedding fat from the rest of your body will likely result in a leaner face, and this can only be done through diet, physical exercise and lifestyle modifications such as quitting smoking, cutting back on alcohol, getting adequate sleep and increasing water intake.

If you have an unbalanced diet and continue eating this way, just like every other part of your body, your face will start to gain fat.

Salt lovers, take note.

Diets high in salt cause the body to retain water and the effects are seen as swelling and puffiness in various parts of the body, including the face. This may give the illusion of excess facial fat.

People who suspect they are sensitive to fluid retention should try to avoid foods with a high salt content, especially processed foods and snacks.

Preparing meals and snacks at home gives you greater control over the amount of salt in your diet. As the body stops holding onto fluid, the face should start to appear slimmer.

Unfortunately, there’s no magic formula that can dissolve fat from your face – at least, not naturally.

Exercise your face

There is no data that shows that going for facials, applying lotions/creams or doing facial exercises can reduce facial fat.

However, like strength-training exercises, you can try facial exercises to tone the muscles to slow down the sagging effects that come from ageing or rapid weight loss.

One 2018 study, published in the journal JAMA Dermatology, showed that a regimen of at-home facial exercises maintained for 20 weeks improved mid-face and lower face fullness among middle-aged women.

Chubby cheeks may be a cute feature in children, but not necessarily so in adults. — China Daily/ANN

Here are some exercises you can try, although it may take time to see results, if any.

• Fill your mouth with air and push the cheeks out, move the air from one cheek to the other to stretch the muscles.
• Suck in your cheeks until your lips pucker like a fish and hold the position for 10 seconds or so.
• Clench your teeth and give your biggest smile.
• Pucker your lips in the middle and then alternate your pucker from side to side.
• Chew sugar-free gum. This exercises the jaw muscles. When you pop a piece of gum into your mouth after a meal, it helps clean food off your teeth, increase saliva production to fight plaque and rebuilds enamel – all of which are added benefits. Some people claim it can help decrease double chins, so go give it a try.
• Look up to stretch your neck while pressing your tongue on the roof of your mouth to work on the muscles under your chin.
• Close your mouth and fill it with as much air as you can, hold for a few seconds and slowly blow the air out, like letting go of a silent fart.
• Open your mouth into an “O” with your lips over your teeth and smile. Then put three fingers of each hand on the tops of the corresponding cheek and gently lift it towards the eyes. Hold for 10 seconds, release the fingers and repeat.

Don’t be discouraged if you don’t notice a difference.

As we’re all wearing face masks these days to control the transmission of Covid-19, no one can see what lies behind those three, four or five layers of multi-coloured material!

On the bright side, plump cheeks give many faces a youthful, healthy appearance, so be happy with the reflection you see in the mirror.

Revathi Murugappan is a certified fitness trainer who tries to battle gravity and continues to dance to express herself artistically and nourish her soul. For more information, email [e-mail]. The information contained in this column is for general educational purposes only. Neither The Star nor the author gives any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to such information. The Star and the author disclaim all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.