How to Get Rid of a Double Chin Naturally

There is hardly a man or woman who does not dread the appearance of double chin as one gets along in years. A double chin occurs when the skin located under the chin area loses elasticity from the breakdown of elastin and collagen fibers which are responsible for keeping skin supple and smooth. Generally, a double chin is part of the natural aging process, but sometimes it can result from long term sun exposure or even genetics. Here are some natural remedies which could help you in getting rid of a double chin.

Eat right

A double chin is not primarily caused by accumulation of fat but because of loosening of the muscles and skin in the area; this is why you may see even individuals with the right body weight acquiring a double chin. However if your diet is high in fats and calories, the body will need various places to store the excess and if your chin is among them, then you are likely to suffer from a double or even triple chin. Thus one of the first things you need to do if you want to lose your double chin is to follow a low-fat diet. Exclude oily, deep-fried foods from your diet as well as those high in calories. This is because the body tends to store excess calories as fat deposits and these might just turn up beneath your chin. Avoid refined and processed foods as far as possible since they are easily transformed into fats. In fact the easiest way to cut down on empty calories is to stay away from junk food altogether - soda, candy, cookies, sweetened drinks and chips are the biggest offenders. Instead replace these with lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains. These foods are not only low in unhealthy fats but more importantly packed with nutrients and anti-oxidants which serve to improve the texture and elasticity of the skin - thus in the process helping your double chin to diminish naturally.

Facial exercises

Though a low fat diet is useful in shedding excess weight, there is no saying from where your body decides to lose it first; so despite being on a low-fat diet for several weeks, you may be pleased to notice slimmer thighs but despair of ever losing your double chin. It is here that facial exercises become important since they directly target the muscles of the neck and chin; the exercises lead to a tightening of the relevant muscles which is how a double chin can be reduced considerably. Here are some of the exercises you can follow:
 

1. Working a muscle called the platysma can help to firm up your chin. Your platysma is responsible for the downward motion of your jaw. To exercise this muscle, bring your bottom lip up as far as possible over your upper lip, hold for 10 seconds, and then repeat.
    
2. Yet another effective way to tone the neck muscles is to perform daily neck exercises. For this tilt your head back slowly until you are looking up and hold the position for a moment, and then return your head back to the center position. Tilt your head downwards towards your chest, hold the position and return to the center position.
    
3. Another step of the above kind is the sideways bend. Tilt your head towards one side towards your shoulder, but do not touch your ear to your shoulder. Hold the position for a moment. Return you head back to the center position and repeat the same routine on the opposite side.
    
4. You can do this exercise while lying down. Lie on your side with your head on a pillow, and then gently pull your head back so you stretch your neck. This will work out the neck muscles and help in tightening them so they don’t sag as a double chin.
    
5. Chewing sugar-free gum is a fun way to work out the jaw and neck muscles. This is because the muscles in your face responsible for keeping your jaw line tight are the same muscles that you use to chew.

Make changes in your personal style

While the correct diet and exercise regimen are the only surefire natural ways of reducing a double chin, unfortunately they take time for results to appear. In the meanwhile you can introduce some changes in your personal style which will work to take attention away from your double chin. One of the ways you could start with this is by adopting a different hairstyle. Certain hairstyles attract attention to the chin; these include long hairstyles as well as pageboy cuts which end just below the chin. In order to draw the focus away from the chin, explore short cuts that end above the jawline. Also see if dresses and tops with open necklines suit you better than closed ones. For instance turtlenecks could draw attention to your chin and end up highlighting your neck waffle. If you are a woman, experiment with accessories like long necklaces which could prove more flattering to your chin.

Adopt the right posture

Very often the right posture can make all the difference in appearance. So even as you are working at your double chin with diet and exercises, remember to carry yourself well. Stooping or slouching your shoulders will make you appear unattractive on the whole and draw attention to other negative aspects like a double chin. Rather stand up straight, walk with shoulders thrown back and slightly just out your jaws. Once you assert your physical presence in a positive manner, your body shape will not only acquire an attractive look but people will notice deficiencies less often.

Finally remember that a confident, attractive personality is the key to looking good. A physical imperfection is only an insignificant part of your whole look and don’t let it bother you so much that you lose sight of the things that really matter – your own health together with the well-being of your loved ones.