When you look in the mirror, are you dismayed by the sight of the dreaded double chin?
Youre not alone. Many of us are plagued by this phenomenon as we age. There are hereditary factors at play (thanks Mom and Dad) but environmental and lifestyle factors play a role, too.
Surgery is always an option, but what if you don't want to go under the knife? Should you give up?
Not at all there are some simple (and natural) tricks you can use to banish that double chin forever. Here they are:
1. Lose weight
This first tip isnt a quick fix, but since excess weight is one of the key causes of a double chin, its important to talk about.
The tissue around the neck and chin is fatty tissue. When you gain weight, your body stores fat and some of it may get stored under your chin.
Sticking to a healthy diet and getting some exercise can go a long way toward eliminating a double chin. Try to avoid processed food, cut back on salt and drink plenty of water throughout the day. Find time to exercise more and focus on improving your overall health. Over time, these simple changes can help you drop extra pounds and get that double chin under control.
2. Exercise your face
The human body has hundreds of muscles, even in a space as small as under your chin. Toning them can help you firm up the flesh there and banish your double chin.
One exercise thats particularly helpful is jaw jutting. Heres how to do it:
3. Firm up your skin
As you age, your skin tends to sag and droop, creating a double chin. Heres a very quick and cheap home remedy that can tighten your skin.
Crack two eggs and separate the whites from the yolk. Whip the whites slightly until its frothy and the albumen is broken up. (This will make it possible for you to spread the egg white on your face easily.)
Next, add one teaspoon each of milk, honey and lemon juice. Then, add three drops of peppermint oil and stir to combine.
Take the frothy mixture and, using clean hands, gently apply it to your neck and chin. You may want to lie down (or drape a towel over your shoulders) to prevent the mask from dripping onto your clothes.
Leave the mask for 30 minutes or until it dries. Rinse your face using warm water and pat it dry. You can do this mask once a day to firm up the skin under your chin.
4. Mind your posture
Bad posture is one of the leading causes of double chins which may make you think twice about hunching over your computer or smartphone for hours a day.
There are lots of ways to correct your posture. Lifting weights can help tone the muscles in your shoulders and core, making it easier to hold your body straight. According to WebMD, practicing yoga and pilates can improve your posture and body alignment.
5. Moisturize daily
One of the most frustrating things about aging is the way it dries out your skin. Perhaps your skin was smooth and supple in your youth, but now you find that the moisturizers you used to use arent getting the job done.
What does this have to do with double chins? Well, dry skin doesnt have the same elasticity as normal skin. It droops and sags more easily.
The solution is to use the right moisturizers on your face, particularly on the skin underneath your chin. A good time to do this is before you go to bed, so the moisturizer can do its work overnight. Here are three suggestions:
These five things can help you get rid of your double chin, so you can look and feel great.
Youre not alone. Many of us are plagued by this phenomenon as we age. There are hereditary factors at play (thanks Mom and Dad) but environmental and lifestyle factors play a role, too.
Surgery is always an option, but what if you don't want to go under the knife? Should you give up?
Not at all there are some simple (and natural) tricks you can use to banish that double chin forever. Here they are:
1. Lose weight
This first tip isnt a quick fix, but since excess weight is one of the key causes of a double chin, its important to talk about.
The tissue around the neck and chin is fatty tissue. When you gain weight, your body stores fat and some of it may get stored under your chin.
Sticking to a healthy diet and getting some exercise can go a long way toward eliminating a double chin. Try to avoid processed food, cut back on salt and drink plenty of water throughout the day. Find time to exercise more and focus on improving your overall health. Over time, these simple changes can help you drop extra pounds and get that double chin under control.
2. Exercise your face
The human body has hundreds of muscles, even in a space as small as under your chin. Toning them can help you firm up the flesh there and banish your double chin.
One exercise thats particularly helpful is jaw jutting. Heres how to do it:
- Tilt your head all the way back until youre looking at the ceiling (or the sky if youre outside)
- Gently push your lower jaw forward until you feel a stretch under your chin
- Hold this position and count to 10
- Release your lower jaw
- Return your head to a neutral position
3. Firm up your skin
As you age, your skin tends to sag and droop, creating a double chin. Heres a very quick and cheap home remedy that can tighten your skin.
Crack two eggs and separate the whites from the yolk. Whip the whites slightly until its frothy and the albumen is broken up. (This will make it possible for you to spread the egg white on your face easily.)
Next, add one teaspoon each of milk, honey and lemon juice. Then, add three drops of peppermint oil and stir to combine.
Take the frothy mixture and, using clean hands, gently apply it to your neck and chin. You may want to lie down (or drape a towel over your shoulders) to prevent the mask from dripping onto your clothes.
Leave the mask for 30 minutes or until it dries. Rinse your face using warm water and pat it dry. You can do this mask once a day to firm up the skin under your chin.
4. Mind your posture
Bad posture is one of the leading causes of double chins which may make you think twice about hunching over your computer or smartphone for hours a day.
There are lots of ways to correct your posture. Lifting weights can help tone the muscles in your shoulders and core, making it easier to hold your body straight. According to WebMD, practicing yoga and pilates can improve your posture and body alignment.
5. Moisturize daily
One of the most frustrating things about aging is the way it dries out your skin. Perhaps your skin was smooth and supple in your youth, but now you find that the moisturizers you used to use arent getting the job done.
What does this have to do with double chins? Well, dry skin doesnt have the same elasticity as normal skin. It droops and sags more easily.
The solution is to use the right moisturizers on your face, particularly on the skin underneath your chin. A good time to do this is before you go to bed, so the moisturizer can do its work overnight. Here are three suggestions:
- Massage wheat germ oil into the skin under your chin.
- Heat up two teaspoons of cocoa butter in the microwave (until just melted), then massage it into your neck and chin.
- Break open two capsules of Vitamin E oil and massage it into your chin and neck.
These five things can help you get rid of your double chin, so you can look and feel great.
