Some people, me included, will try anything to get rid of a turkey neck for good—even go under the knife to reclaim a chiseled jawline! But after 23 years as a licensed esthetician, I’ve worked on enough turkey necks to know that surgery is not always the way to go. 

Keep reading to discover the most effective approaches to fixing a turkey neck, including my preferred nonsurgical treatments! 

Just wanted to share our latest skincare gem - the CBE Botanicals Pack Your Bags Anti-Puff Eye Gel!

This lightweight, cooling gel is a dream when it comes to taming those puffy eyes. 

And guess what?  Clinical results show that 65% of users saw a decrease in eye bag thickness after 28 days. Talk about magic!  

Not only that, but our little gel also reduces capillary permeability by 25%. Puffiness, meet your match!

Want to look younger but without cosmetic surgery? Lucky for you, there are plenty of options available. Discover the best nonsurgical facial treatments 2023 has to offer. 

As the name might suggest, nasolabial folds are those stubborn creases that extend from both sides of your nose (naso) to the corners of your mouth (labial). The older you get, the more prominent those lines—often referred to as laugh or smile lines—can become. But you know I have the fix!

Take a look at the six signs of unhealthy skin that appear even with a solid skin routine, along with the esthetician-trusted tips to fix them!

Sign 1: Dry and Flaky 

One of the most obvious signs of unhealthy skin is a dry, flaky complexion. You might not notice how dry your skin has become as you lather on your favorite moisturizer. But you can definitely tell your skin is in need of moisture after applying makeup like foundation or powder. If your skin peels and flakes by the end of the day, you’re most likely overdue for a good exfoliation session! 

Solution: Exfoliate Dead Skin  

Exfoliation is the best way to gently loosen dead skin cells, accelerate skin renewal, and revive dry or flaky skin. I recommend washing with the deep cleaning, foamy CBE Botanicals Scrub Away the Day Cleanser, and following with the Revive Exfoliating Serum once or twice weekly.   If your skin is sensitive or dry, try the Enzyme Rescue for a gentle but thorough exfoliation.

Crepey skin refers to skin that’s begun to look thin or wrinkled, like the crepe paper you would use for crafts or to package gifts. While crepe paper certainly has its place in the universe, it’s definitely NOT on your face or décolleté. If aging has caused your skin to sag, I have the solutions for you!

If I had a quarter for every time one of my clients asked if they were ‘too old’ to start a certain routine—especially a skin rejuvenation routine—I could probably retire by now! Just kidding, you know I love what I do way too much to stop cold turkey… but folks, I do hear that question a ton!

The Best Time to Start a Routine is NOW!

The truth is you are never EVER too old to begin a skin rejuvenation routine. While the fact of the matter is that your body simply cannot create as much collagen and elastin as it did when you were a teenager, you can still encourage cellular turnover and accelerate protein production at any age.

Today, I want to address a common concern many people face: frown lines, also known as elevens. These lines can be frustrating, but there are effective ways to minimize their appearance without resorting to drastic measures like Botox. In this blog post, I'll share some valuable insights and techniques to help you reduce frown lines naturally.

Understanding Frown Lines:

Frown lines, scientifically called glabellar lines, are formed due to repetitive facial expressions and muscle contractions. The muscle responsible for these lines is called the procerus muscle, which is two small triangular muscles located between the eyebrows. When these muscles contract, they pull the skin together, creating lines and wrinkles.

My Personal Journey with Frown Lines:

I've undergone Botox treatments in the past, hoping to diminish my frown lines. However, I realized that Botox is not a permanent solution. Each treatment provides temporary relief, and the results can vary depending on the technique used. Recently, I found a doctor who employed a different approach, focusing on releasing the tension in the procerus muscle, resulting in longer-lasting effects. Intrigued by this discovery, I aimed to delve deeper into understanding how to naturally release tension in this area.

Effective Techniques to Minimize Frown Lines:

1. Pinch and Stretch: Begin by gently pinching the beginnings of your eyebrows, holding the skin without pulling it in any direction. Envision scooping the procerus muscle away from the bone to create more space for stretching. Maintain this gentle pinch for a while, feeling a slight stretch in the area.
2. Micro Movements: After holding the pinch, move your fingers apart slightly, about the width of a strand of hair. Next, add some light wiggling movements to further release tension. Remember not to exert excessive force during this process. You should experience a pleasant release of tension in the area.
3. Targeted Tension Release: To directly address areas of tension, firmly anchor your fingers where the frown lines start. Begin systematically searching for denser or tighter spots within the muscles. Gently navigate through the area, feeling for any knots or resistance. By carefully targeting these areas, you can further release tension.
4. Use a gua sha tool.  My favorite is the Anma.  Gently rake the "fingers" across the center of your frown lines perpendicularly. 

Benefits of Regular Muscle Release:

While Botox offers temporary relief, consistently releasing tension in the procerus muscle can significantly minimize frown lines in the long run. This technique stimulates relaxation, allowing your face to regain its natural appearance. Regular muscle release can create a more relaxed, youthful, and rejuvenated look.

The perfect product to release facial muscle tension is my beloved Anma.  It's a gua sha tool perfected by an esthetician who specializes in fascia release of the face.  It's amazing and a must-have in your antiaging tool kit.

PRO TIP: Relieving Jaw Tension:

If frown lines tend to return quickly, it may indicate excessive tension in the jaw area. Tightness in the jaw can lead to a strained facial expression, resulting in various lines and wrinkles.

In a separate video, I have covered techniques to release jaw tension effectively, helping your entire face fall into place.  Check out this YouTube playlist to release the jaw so your whole face relaxes.

Conclusion:

Frown lines can be a source of frustration for many individuals. While Botox can provide temporary relief, it is not the only option. By following the techniques I've shared, such as gentle pinching, micro-movements, and targeted tension release, you can naturally minimize frown lines. Remember, regular muscle release is critical to achieving a more relaxed and youthful appearance.  The Anma is great for this since it releases spots our fingers can't get to. Stay tuned for more helpful tips and techniques from me, Christine Byer, your trusted licensed Master Esthetician.

Thank you for reading, and don't forget to check out my other video on massaging away marionette lines, as well as subscribing and sharing these tips with your friends. Stay beautiful!

To see the video version of this article, watch here.