Do you need expensive cosmetic procedures to fight skin aging and sagging? A 63-year-old Japanese beauty expert possesses firm, plump skin that makes it hard to believe she is in her sixties, as if she has pressed the "pause button" on time. She admits she has never tried any medical aesthetics and relies solely on her self-developed facial muscle training, which she claims can make one look 10 years younger. Learn the simple 3-step "Blink Exercise" to effectively combat crow's feet and eye bags.
According to Japanese media Weekly Josei Prime, 63-year-old renowned Japanese beauty expert Hitomi Kato emphasizes that the more consciously you use your facial muscles, the more you can maintain a youthful appearance. The idea that "not smiling often prevents wrinkles" is a mistake.
She herself was not a very expressive person. As a full-time housewife dedicating herself to her family when she was younger, she didn't have time to focus on her own appearance. At 38, when her childcare duties eased, she finally had a moment to look at herself and was shocked by the severe bags under her eyes in the mirror. Because she rarely went out or interacted with people, her facial muscles had naturally weakened and sagged, giving her an "old lady look."
In a panic, she tried every high-end brand-name skincare product and beauty device, but saw no results. She even impulsively went to a cosmetic surgery clinic and booked a facelift costing nearly 70,000 HKD. But before the surgery, she realized that "relying on a single surgery cannot solve all aging problems." She changed her mind, decided to rely on herself, and began experimenting with countless beauty methods. Hitomi invented a series of "Facial Dances" effectively preventing and reducing expression lines.
Hitomi occasionally discovered that on days she did "facial expression muscle training," her skin condition was particularly good. Once, a neighbor even asked if she'd had surgery. This cemented her determination to master this practice. She started by learning the basics of human anatomy and muscle structure, eventually developing a unique facial muscle training method she calls "Facial Dance," specifically targeting the muscles used for smiling.
She firmly believes that smiling and having a rich array of expressions are key to looking young. "Aged" faces typically have three main characteristics: sagging cheeks, sagging mouth corners, and sagging eye corners. In other words, by lifting these three areas, the face can regain a youthful appearance. The key isn't relying on expensive cosmetics or medical aesthetics. "As long as you properly maintain the 'foundation' of your face every day, no matter your age, you might be able to regain the skin condition you had 10 years ago."
Among the many "Facial Dance" movements, the "Blink Exercise" is the signature move for addressing eye area sagging and wrinkles. Hitomi points out the key is to move the facial muscles without over-stretching the epidermis to avoid creating unnecessary wrinkles. The focus for eliminating crow's feet is to relax the stiff "orbicularis oculi muscle" (the muscle encircling the eye) to smooth out fine lines around the eyes, preventing them from becoming permanent wrinkles. Eye bags form when the muscles supporting the eyeball loosen, allowing fat to protrude forward. The "Blink Exercise" strengthens the muscles around the eyes (orbicularis oculi) while effectively relieving eye fatigue and puffiness.
"Blink Exercise" for Smoothing Eye Wrinkles and Bags
She reminds everyone that the skin around the eyes is very thin; just press gently with your fingertips. Especially in dry winter conditions, sebum production is low, making the skin prone to dryness. Before doing the "Blink Exercise," apply enough eye cream or hydrating serum to double the beautifying effect. The entire "Blink Exercise" can be completed in just 3 minutes, making it easy to stick to even on busy days. However, don't be greedy. Many people do it several times a day hoping for quick results, but over-stretching the skin can instead lead to more wrinkles and sagging. She recommends doing it once a day while bathing to "reset" the wrinkles formed that day. Consistency is key.
By persisting daily, even small dry lines can show noticeable improvement in about 2-3 weeks. Even deep wrinkles that have reached the dermis layer can be softened and become less noticeable.
