As you age, your muscles naturally lose their strength and tone, and the muscles in your face are just as prone to this process as those in the rest of your body. But, while strengthening exercises for your legs, buttocks and arms are common, you may not realize that you can also help keep your face -- including your chin and jaw line -- toned with regular workouts. It is important to combine daily chin-lifting exercises with a healthy diet and an overall body exercise regimen for optimum results.
Lip Extension
One of the benefits of facial exercises is the promotion of circulation of nutrient-rich, oxygenated blood, which improves the health of your facial skin and muscles. For this exercise, sit or stand up straight and tip your head back so you're looking at the ceiling, then extend your lower lip over your top lip. Stretch the lower lip as far as you possibly can and hold in that position for five seconds; relax and repeat five times.
Tongue Extension
Start in the same position as for the chin drop, with your head back so you're looking at the ceiling. Poke your tongue out and stretch it downward as far as you can toward your chin. Hold your tongue in this extended position for 10 seconds; relax and repeat several times. To avoid neck strain, keep your shoulders relaxed throughout this exercise.
Chin Drop
Stand or sit with your back straight and your neck in line with your spine, and position your head so you're looking straight ahead. Keeping your mouth closed, push your lower lip upward so that your chin puckers and you feel the muscle tighten. Keeping your head still and your lips loosely together, relax your jaw and use a strong movement to drop your chin. In this position, you should feel the muscles in the front of your neck tighten. Do three sets of 10 to 12 repetitions.
Neck Extension
This exercise tones your neck muscles, which in turn helps maintain a firm chin and jawline. Sit or stand with good posture and tilt your head back so that you're looking at a spot on the ceiling in front of you rather than directly above you. Press your tongue firmly against the roof of your mouth, then drop your chin down so you're looking at the floor. Repeat several times. Throughout this exercise, the muscles under your chin and in the front of your neck should feel tight.
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