“How can I shape my nose naturally?” Even as the world of rhinoplasty and nasal fillers moves forward by leaps and bounds, many find themselves looking for natural ways for nose reshaping. Cue: nose exercises.
Vogue Arabia, June 2023. Photo: Mattia Holmt
You may have come across the buzz around facial yoga exercises to tone and tighten the muscles of the face, but did you know that they can offer the same benefits for your nose as well? And the good news doesn’t end there — we saved the best for the last. Nose exercises do not require lengthy demonstrations by an instructor or any set of equipment. Sitting it out in traffic, cozying up on the couch for a movie marathon, waiting for the microwave timer to ding — take your newfound commitment for a toned and lifted nose everywhere with easy-to-follow exercises to get a slim nose. Consider this the next best thing to getting a nose job done.
Are nose exercises effective?
- For starters, it helps to understand how nose exercises work.
- The shape of your nose is determined by the bone structure of your face. The tip of your nose—whether it is droopy, pointed or upturned—is formed from soft cartilage.
- It isn’t possible to alter the bone and cartilage without surgical intervention, but all hope is not lost yet.
- The muscles around the nose can be stimulated and toned with regular exercise.
How to exercise nose muscles to prevent sagging nose
What the exercise does:
- An isometric exercise uses tightening or contractions for targeting muscles in a specific area.
- Looking to firm the muscles around the nose area and keep sagging at bay? This exercise can help reshape and tone muscles around the nose.
How to do the exercise:
- Start by making an ‘O’ shape with your lips.
- Next, gently press your fingers on each nostril till it is half shut while still allowing you to breathe.
- Raise your eyes towards the ceiling while taking care not to wrinkle your forehead.
- Breathe out from your nose while widening your nostrils.
- If you find yourself feeling dizzy, it is important to take a minute to breathe and reset.
How often to do this exercise:
- Repeat 3 sets for 10 seconds everyday to see results.
Nose exercises: How to make your nose straighter
What the exercise does:
- Word on the internet has it that if the distance between the top of the lips and the nose is wider, it can make the visage appear younger and firmer.
- This exercise for a straight nose can help lift the nasal area and straighten the bridge of the nose.
How to do the exercise:
- To begin, place your index finger on the tip of your nose between both your nostrils.
- Then, pinch the nostrils from both sides using your other hand.
- Using your breath, work on flaring your nostrils while holding the position with both your hands.
- When you are done, hold the position tightly with your hands for 20 seconds
How often to do this exercise:
- Repeat the nose exercise 100 times everyday to make the nose appear straighter.
Try this exercise for a nose lift
What the exercise does:
- If you are looking to lift your nose but prefer to avoid going under the knife, you will find that certain nose exercises can help.
- When practiced consistently, face yoga exercises can help lift and reshape the nose as desired.
How to do the exercise:
- Start by placing your index finger below your nostrils.
- Apply gentle pressure upwards and as you lift your finger, push the tip of your nose down.
- Take care to ensure that you aren’t engaging your cheek muscles while doing this nose exercise.
How often to do this exercise:
- Opt for 10 repetitions in each set and repeat this nose exercise as many times as possible each day to lift the nose.
Try this exercise for nose contouring
What the exercise does:
- This type of nose exercises target multiple muscles on both sides of the septum for naturally reshaping the nose.
- To observe how this nose exercise works, you can choose to place your finger on your nose to feel the contractions as the nose is being reshaped.
How to do the exercise:
- The first step is the easiest: start by smiling as wide as you can.
- Then, place your index finger under your nose and push it upwards.
- Hold the position for a second before releasing and then repeat the same motions.
How often to do this exercise:
- Repeat the nose exercise in 3 sets of 15 motions everyday.
Try this exercise for a sharper nose
What the exercise does:
- Isometric nose exercises work on contracting the muscles around the nose.
- If you are looking for exercises to sharpen the nose, this one focuses on the region around the upper lip for a firmer appearance.
How to do the exercise:
- Take your thumb and index finger and place it on the bridge of your nose.
- Then, take the index finger of your other hand and place it at the bottom of your nose to push it upwards.
- Next, push your upper lip downwards for a second and then relax and repeat the same motion.
How often to do this exercise:
- Opt for 2 sets of 15 motions in one session to target the muscles around the nose.
Try this nose exercise for a smaller nose
What the exercise does:
- Noses come in all sizes and shapes. While some are small and upturned, others can be pointed and dropping downwards at the tip.
- Your nose deserves love in the shape that it is but the right nose exercises for a pointed nose can offer a natural lift.
How to do the exercise:
- Start by moisturizing the area around your nose.
- Then place your index fingers on either side of your nose and gently massage the area for 30 seconds.
- Push outwards with your index fingers while doing this massage.
- Then, use your thumb and index finger to pinch the bridge of your nose for 30 seconds.
- To finish, place your index finger on the bridge of your nose and push it outwards over your cheekbones 10 times.
How often to do this exercise:
- Try 2 sets of this nose exercise everyday for address the pointed tip of the nose.
Face yoga exercise for toning the nose
What the exercise does:
- Face yoga works on toning the facial muscles in myriad ways. Boosted circulation, smoothened wrinkles, reduced puffiness—sounds like something you’d want in on?
- And the benefits don’t end there. A regular face yoga practice is also known to lift and tighten the skin in the areas of the face being targeted.
How to do the exercise:
- Start by placing your index fingers on either side of your nose and press downwards till you reach the sides of your nostrils.
- Pause here and start making a circular motion with your fingers.
- After a few seconds, reverse the circular motions.
How often to do this exercise:
- Repeat a few times everyday to tone the muscles around the nasal area.
Try the bull dog push for broad noses
What the exercise does:
- The muscles around the nasal area can change with time and it isn’t unlikely to find the lower half of the nose getting broader with age.
- This nose exercise helps tone the lower half of the nose while also focusing on the flaring of the nostrils.
How to do the exercise:
- Allow your index fingers to rest on either side of your nose.
- Then, breathe in deeply to flare your nostrils.
- As you breathe inwards, apply gentle pressure from your index fingers on the flare of the nostrils.
- Release the position as you gently breathe out.
How often to do this exercise:
- Opt for 5 repetitions everyday to tone the sides of the nose.
Nose exercises: Try the puffer fish face for smile lines around the nose
What the exercise does:
- The nasolabial area is often prone to developing smile lines as the face ages.
- Often, these lines can get longer and deeper as we age but exercising this area can prevent it from reaching the bottom half of your face.
How to do the exercise:
- Start by filling your mouth with air and keeping it in tight. Then, push the air towards the front of your lips.
- Move the air towards the right for five seconds and then towards the left.
- Repeat the same motion towards the upper mouth and the lower section of the mouth.
How often to do this exercise:
- Repeat everyday to diminish the folds in the nasolabial area.
Nose exercises: Try nose pinching for bunny lines between the eyes
What the exercise does:
- Among other facial wrinkles, you’ll also find that bunny lines along the bridge of the nose and the sides of the eyes are common—signs of a lifetime of laughing and squinting.
- If you are looking to address these diagonal wrinkles, it helps to stimulate the muscles in this area.
How to do the exercise:
- Bring your thumb and index finger together.
- Then, mildly pinch the area around your nostrils in quick motions.
- Slowly, work your upwards towards the bridge of the nose in between the eyes.
- To finish, move your index finger upwards along the bridge of your nose till you reach your forehead for an uplifted effect.
How often to do this exercise:
- Repeat everyday whenever you find time to boost stimulation in the muscles around the nose.
Are nose exercises permanent?
- When opting for face yoga for the nose, it helps to make a few changes to your mindset.
- For starters, there won’t be a dramatic before-and-after transformation after five minutes of stretching and kneading the muscles around the nose.
- The changes in the nose muscles are subtler and not quite as visible to the eye as the other parts of your face.
- With diligent exercises performed regularly and consistently, you will find that the right exercises can help you target specific areas of the nose.
