These exercises will help firm your skin as you age and increase circulation to your face.
Editor's note: This article was originally published on April 30, 2021. It has since been updated.
There has been a new social media trend where influencers are determined to prove that camera angles decide whether you have a double chin or not. Obviously, from a lower angle, your chin looks bigger and multifold, while flipping it to a higher angle makes your face looks chiseled. A double chin is also known as submental fat. It is when a layer of fat forms under your chin, according to Healthline, and indicates a gain in weight. But it may also have nothing to do with weight at all and could just be genetics. Aging also causes the skin to loosen and form a double chin.
While you may exercise regularly and keep your body toned, you can do the same for your face as well. It will also help firm up your skin as you age and increase circulation to your face. Here are a few exercises you can do to help reduce a double chin.
Remember to warm up your face muscles by gently rotating your head around in circular motions. Then gently rotate your jaws in circular motions as well before doing the following exercises.
Chewing gum is a mild form of exercise for your jaw and face muscles. According to Medical News Today, chewing gum regularly can help in the reduction of fat in the chin to some extent. It is also beneficial in reducing excessive intake of food or snacking after meals. It creates a sense of fullness that will stop you from eating more than you need and contribute to overall weight loss that will reflect in your face as well.
This is a type of exercise that directly targets the lower jaw and chin. As the name suggests, to do this exercise, you will have to make scooping movements with your lower jaw. Jutting your lower jaw out, open your mouth, and pretend to scoop as you lower your head. Then as you raise your head, close your mouth. Repeat the same 5-7 times. Make sure you sit or stand in a relaxed position and also keep your lips relaxed.
You can sit or stand for this exercise in a relaxed manner. Lift your head up to face the ceiling. Pout your lips as if you are sending kisses to heaven. Extend your lips as far as you can. You will feel the muscles on your chin and neck flex when you do this. Hold the puckered lips for a few seconds before relaxing. Repeat the exercise about 10 times.
While smiling is a good way to lift your cheeks and make you feel good, a bit more strenuous form of smiling can help reduce your double chin as well. As per Brightside, first, clench your teeth and then stretch your lips as wide as possible. Now, if you press your tongue to the roof of your mouth, you will feel a strong pull in your chin. This is how you know you're doing it right. Hold this for a few seconds and release. Repeat 8-10 times.
This pout is the adorable one you would make to express sadness. Now exaggerate the pout and stretch it out as far as possible. Hold it for a few seconds. Then lower your head towards your chest. Hold for a few seconds. Release and repeat again about 10 times.
For this, you will need a ball and is best done in the sitting position. Place the ball under your chin and press against it firmly. Repeat it about 20 times. Alternatively, you can even use your fists to press against your chin by gently pushing it upward.
References:
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-get-rid-of-double-chin#chin-exercises
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318131#causes
Cover Image Source: Getty Images | TanyaLovus/Representative
Disclaimer : This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
