https://www.scientificanimations.com, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:3D_Medical_Animation_Axial_Skeleton.jpg
Deborah Tosline wrote and published “Skin Remodeling DIY: An Introduction to the Underground World of Do-It-Yourself Skincare” in 2015. Her approach to skin care is based on a scientific background, love of research and over 40 years of DIY skincare experience.
I began my Do-It-Yourself (DIY) facial hobby in my early 20’s and focused solely on skin health at the time. A couple of decades later I changed my focus and began to strengthen weak and atrophied facial muscles while continuing to advance my DIY skin care practices. Currently, I focus on facial bone health and identifying a variety of methods to maintain and enhance facial bone volume. Facial bones provide the foundation for facial muscles and skin and our individual look.
I’ve previously written about facial bone health and I repeat some of that information in this article. Prior articles:
bone tapping/looksmaxxing (it’s actually called bone smashing)
While scientists have known about facial bone density loss for decades, references describing facial bone loss and DIY methods to maintain and build facial bones are limited.
Anatomy & Physiology, Connexions Web site. http://cnx.org/content/col11496/1.6/, Jun 19, 2013., CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:615_Age_and_Bone_Mass.jpg
Recently, facial bone volume loss has been correlated with facial structure changes that promote facial aging. Facial muscles and skin drape over facial bones. As facial bone volume shrinks, muscles and skin drape over the bones differently resulting in skin folds and lines. Strong bones are the foundation of our facial identify; it is vital to maintain bone health to keep your unique look.
Facial bones, similar to body bones, can lose volume for a variety of reasons including:
poor nutrition
sedentary lifestyle
lack of hormones
medications
illness
Postmenopausal hormonal changes cause dramatic bone density loss in women. Tooth loss profoundly reduces jawbone density and volume.
Facial bone volume loss can impact medical facial rejuvenation. When facial bones shrink, skin folds and wrinkles cannot be eliminated unless facial volume is increased. Medical rejuvenation may use fillers to replace bone loss, however fillers may fracture porous, weak facial bones and cannot be used in all cases.
Facial creams will not increase bone volume.
I first became aware of facial bone loss in 2010 when Deborah Crowley published the 3rd edition of FlexEffect. This edition contains a fantastic facial bone remodeling section that describes bone loss and provides exercises to support and promote bone volume.
Ms. Crowley was ahead of her time when she developed resistance facial and bone remodeling exercises. I haven’t seen anything that matches the FlexEffect facial program. I am not affiliated; I use the system and am a fan.
When the FlexEffect facial bone remodeling exercises were published I was intrigued. Despite the new and relevant knowledge, I only minimally integrated the bone remodeling exercises into my facial exercise regime, there is not enough time in the day!
FlexEffect’s facial resistance exercises may focus on facial muscles but they do apply a force to facial bones and provide some bone health benefits. For a while, the minor bone stimulation provided by the resistance facial exercises was sufficient. Fast forward. I now realize that for me, the most important facial care practice is to proactively maintain and build facial bone volume to support facial muscles, skin and profile. FlexEffect’s bone remodeling exercises provide a focused approach to maintaining and promoting increased bone mass.
The science of facial care is ever evolving. During a periodic search for new facial care practices, I discovered the Looksmaxxing group and information about bone smashing (I prefer and will refer to it herein as bone tapping).
There appears to be two desired outcomes associated with bone remodeling:
maintain/regain bone volume over time
encourage new bone volume to enhance aesthetics of natural bone structure
FlexEffect bone remodeling exercises are used to maintain existing bone mass and to regain lost bone mass due to the effects of aging. Bone tapping (aka bone smashing) appears to be used primarily by male teens and young male adults to enhance their existing facial bone structure. Both approaches seek the same results, facial bone growth.
Bone tapping (aka bone smashing) and any facial bone strengthening treatment is based on Wolfe’s Law of Bone Growth - when a bone experiences repetitive loading or stress, the bone adapts and strengthens to cope with the new stress.
Rtstudents, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jaw_Radiograph.jpg
After reviewing available information, my gut instinct tells me that maintaining or promoting facial bone volume by practicing bone remodeling using all available methods is a logical approach to holistic facial care. I take a slow approach to bone tapping, integrating it into my skin care routine trifecta: bones, muscles and skin.
Facial bone volume loss over time is verified by measurements made from x-ray images of the jaw. Everyone experiences facial bone loss as they age. Facial bone health can be maintained using the same protocols used for body bone health. Check out the following links to learn more about the various treatments and practices used to maintain and enhance facial bone density and volume:
FlexEffect Resistance Exercises – facial muscle resistance exercises apply some stress to bone
FlexEffect Bone Remodeling – bone strengthening exercises focus on increasing bone volume
Reciprocating vibrator – vibration therapy can increase bone strength
Near Infrared Light – promotes bone tissue regeneration
Bone Smashing (for me aka bone tapping) – aggressively stress facial bones
Overall exercise – supports all body functions, resistance exercise promotes bone health
Hormone replacement therapy (compounded) – prevents dramatic bone density loss and postmenopausal osteoporosis
Nutritionally dense, anti-oxidant rich food – foods that support bone health
Nutraceuticals – essential nutrients for bone health
Mewing - natural tongue placement supports the outward projection and proper alignment of facial bones
I am a DIY kind of gal and I use all of these methods to support facial bone health and to increase facial bone volume.
I’ve practiced FlexEffect resistance facial exercise for over 20 years and lived a super healthy lifestyle over the past 40 years and these probably helped me maintain facial bone volume to an extent but I see that my facial profile changes over time. For me, it’s time to focus on building bone volume. I don’t know if DIY bone health maintenance can regain facial bone volume but if I cannot rebuild facial bone, perhaps I can retain bone volume and minimize potential future losses.
Polygon data is from BodyParts3D, CC BY-SA 2.1 JP <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.1/jp/deed.en>, via Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Facial_bones_-_animation03.gif
DIY facial bone building is in its infancy and there is a lot to learn. Until more research is available regarding the effectiveness of various DIY bone remodeling methods, I will rely on anecdotal evidence to inform my DIY facial bone remodeling practice.
Based on available information, I believe that the best way for me to reduce skin folds and wrinkles is to carefully build facial bone mass. At this time, I plan to continue to pursue focused facial bone remodeling and monitor my progress. I’ll carefully consider any risks associated with aggressive bone building techniques and proceed carefully. I would not want to injure or overbuild facial bones. I will try to maintain my jawline, eye sockets, cheek, chin, and forehead bones over time.
Is facial bone remodeling the future of facial beauty?
If you need DIY skin care information, go to the library, search the Internet, read my past Blog articles, or it would be an honor to me if you purchased my book. Thank you!
Take good care of yourselves!
XO Deborah
This article is intended to be used as general information only and is in no way intended to replace medical advice, be used as a medical treatment program, diagnosis, or cure of any disease or medical condition. There are no warranties, expressed or implied, regarding the effectiveness of the practices described in this article. Products or substances discussed herein are for educational purposes only and are not intended as recommendations of the author.