4 Double Chin Exercises

Double chin exercises can help you tone the muscles of your face and jaw, firm skin along the jaw line and get rid of excess fat to diminish your double chin. While losing weight can often go a long way towards helping to eliminate a double chin, not all people who have a double chin are overweight; sometimes, double chins are genetic. Whatever the cause of your double chin, these exercises can help reduce its size and improve its appearance.

1. The Chin Lift

The chin lift stretches and tones the muscles of the jaw, neck and throat. To perform the chin lift, follow these simple steps:

• Stand or sit with your spine erect.
• Tilt your head back until you are looking toward the ceiling.
• Pucker your lips tightly, as if you wanted to kiss the ceiling.

Try not to engage any other facial muscles while doing this exercise; just use your lips. Hold your lips in a puckered position for a five-count, then release. Repeat the exercise 5 to 10 times in a row.

2. The Neck Roll

The neck roll not only tones and stretches the muscles of your jaw, throat and neck, but also releases tension from your shoulders and can ease neck and shoulder pain. Follow these steps to perform the neck roll as a double-chin exercise:

• Stand or sit with an erect spine.
• While inhaling, gently turn your head to one side until your chin touches your shoulder. You should be looking to one side.
• While exhaling, slowly roll your head downward until your chin is resting on your chest. Remember to keep your spine erect and your shoulders squared.
• While inhaling, gently lift your head back up until your chin touches the other shoulder. You should be looking to the other side.

Repeat the full neck roll 5 to 10 times.

3. The Jaw Release

The jaw release exercise tones and stretches the muscles of your face. Perform the jaw release exercise as follows:

• Sit or stand with an erect spine.
• Inhale deeply through the nose; exhale slowly, while humming with your lips pressed tightly together. While you are inhaling and exhaling, move your jaw as if you were chewing.
• When you finish your exhale, open your mouth up as wide as you can. Inhale, and exhale from your open mouth with an audible "ahh" sound. Rest the tip of your tongue gently against the backs of your lower teeth to help the jaw relax.

Repeat both steps of this exercise 5 to 10 times.

4. Platysma Exercise

The platysma is the big muscle that runs from your jawline to your shoulder. Exercising it helps keep your chin and throat firm. To strengthen and tone the platysma, follow these steps.

• Sit or stand with an erect spine.
• Pull your lips back against your teeth, and turn the corners of your mouth downward.
• Open your mouth slightly, and activate the muscles of your jaw. Keep your lips pressed firmly against your teeth and the corners of your mouth turned down. The tendons on your neck should stand out.
• Wiggle your lower jaw up and down 5 to 10 times.

Repeat this exercise 5 to 10 times to tone your platysma.

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