You may have a waist as small as that of a 16-year-old girl, but there’s no way you can pass off as “young” if wrinkles form around your mouth and eyes every time you smile.

The first thing people see – and the one thing that makes a lasting impression – is your face. Not flat abs or toned thighs.

So, don’t just run marathons on the treadmill; take time out for “facexercise” too. Of the 650 muscles in the human body, roughly 50 are concentrated in the face. Just like the body begins to bloat without exercise, facial muscles also start “sagging” if we don’t give them the right stimulation. If you are frowning while reading this, we won’t stop you. It takes 43 muscles to frown and only 17 more to smile!

Experts say facial workouts – also known as face yoga or face gymming — at least two to three times a week can help beat the signs of ageing and eliminate the need for invasive treatments such as Botox and face-lifts.

Regular movement of face muscles increases the flow of blood and oxygen to the skin, promoting the production of new cells and collagen. This results in fewer fine lines, lesser wrinkles, a firmer jaw line and brighter skin tone. Proponents claim facial workouts reduce headaches and eye strain.

Try these basic facexercises, starting today:

Eyebrow raisers

Why

Beat crow’s feet (the lines that form around your eyes when you smile), droopy eyelids and make your eye look years younger

How

1: Raise your eyebrows as high as you can and hold for five seconds. Open your eyes as wide as possible as you do this. Repeat five times.

2: Tightly close your eyes and stay that way for a few seconds. Then lift your eyebrows as high as possible while keeping your eyes closed. Hold for a few seconds. The Ohio State University prescribes 10-15 repetitions of this exercise daily.

Tongue teasers

Why

Bid adieu to laugh lines, the folds that form around your mouth when you smile, by stretching your mouth muscles.

How

1: Stick your tongue out as far down as possible. Hold for 60 seconds. Repeat a few times.

2: Look up at the ceiling and pucker your mouth as if you are going to kiss something. Hold for five seconds. Do five repetitions. Look at the ceiling again and stick your tongue out. Do this at least five times.

Cheek curls

Why

Lose the childish chubby cheeks and gain sexy high cheekbones.

How

1: Fill up one of your cheeks with air and transfer it to the other cheek and back again just as you would with a mouthwash. Continue for a minute and pause. Repeat five to 10 times for slimmer cheeks.

2: Using three fingers press down on your cheeks and smile as hard as you can to raise your cheek muscles against your fingers. Repeat at least 10 times for a natural cheek lift.

These exercises have delivered results when done with dedication and continuity. These will help you maintain that firm skin for a longer time, working as your personal/natural anti-aging formula.