Beat the bloat with our guide to slimming down your face with easy lifestyle changes
Words Joy Montgomery
BE REALISTIC
There are many different reasons why your face might have a fuller appearance. It could be anything from weight and diet to health conditions and genetics. But, above all, it’s important to be realistic with your goals. There are some who are slim yet still have naturally full cheeks – in this case it’s unlikely that you’ll notice a dramatic difference despite any diet or lifestyle changes.
However, in general when someone loses weight the face is often the first place to show it. Although there is no way to truly spot-reduce facial fat, there are changes you can make to get closer to those dreamy chiselled cheekbones. The key is to experiment and see what works for you.
RULE OUR MEDICAL CAUSES FIRST
There are some medical conditions and medications which can cause puffiness or fat to accumulate around your face. Make sure you chat to your GP if you’re concerned about any dramatic changes – it’s easier to rule out anything serious before making dramatic changes to your lifestyle.
WORK OUR REGULARLY
Even though it’s not possible to target lose weight in certain areas of the body, it’s true that losing as little as three to five pounds can make a difference to your face. The fat in your face acts the same as the fat in the rest of your body so your approach should be the same. Fat blasting cardio is great for this – particularly activities such as HITT, spinning or interval training. Weight lifting will also do the trick too!
TRY FACIAL YOGA
It’s the latest obsession of beauty insiders and a technique long practised by beauticians. Facial yoga involves exercises and massaging movements to lift, tone and de-puff the face. Make-up artists such as Lisa Eldridge swear by it – see her routine here.
GET YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP
We’ve all experienced the adverse affects sleep deprivation can have on your visage and puffy face syndrome is, of course, one of them. Make sure you get at least eight hours a night to ensure your skin has enough time to rejuvenate and repair. Morning and evening facial massages (see above) will also help avoid morning puffiness.
REDUCE SALT AND SUGAR INTAKE
Salt and sugar both increase fluid retention in the body, which lead to stomach bloating and, yes you’ve guessed it, facial bloating. Try and cut down on your daily salt and sugar intake to avoid this happening – your heart will thank you for it too!
DRINK PLENTY OF WATER
Dehydration can also cause your body to store fluids, resulting in swelling around the face and joints. Drinking plenty of water will help guard against the negative effects of dehydration by flushing out the kidneys and preventing build up on toxins. Keep a big bottle of water on your desk at home to stay topped up throughout the day.
