A strong, defined jawline is an attractive feature on both a male and female face. If you have noticed your jaw line is not as tight as you would like it to be, there are several likely causes. These include being overweight, aging, genetics or simply being unfit in general. Exercising the face and neck muscles can help promote a firm jaw line; as with working out other parts of the body, the face muscles become more toned with regular movement.
Step 1
Lie on a bed or couch. Allow your head to dangle over the side. Slowly lift your head until your chin touches your chest. Hold for a few seconds and gently lower your head. Repeat 10 times, once or twice a day. As the exercise becomes easier to perform, increase the number of reps.
Step 2
Forcefully pull down your lower lip and the corners of your mouth. This will tense the platysma muscle which is a large flat muscle that runs from the tip of the chin to the top of the chest. Hold your lips in a downward position for around thirty seconds. Do this several times per day.
Step 3
Stick your tongue out. Extend it with force, as far as possible, for around half a minute. If you place your fingers along your jaw line and under your chin while doing this exercise, you will feel the musculus mylohyoideus, which is the muscle under the chin, is firm and tense. Repeat once or twice daily.
Step 4
Sit on a chair. Look at up the ceiling and begin to chew. This will work both the musculus mylohyoideus and platysma, which helps strengthen the jaw line and reduce a double chin. Tilt your head further back for increased effectiveness.
Tips and Warnings
- According to Louise Annette, author of "Ageless If We Dare," by exercising the cheek muscles you will also improve the jaw line, as the when the cheeks are lifted, sagging jowls are reduced. Therefore, when following a facial fitness program with the goal of strengthening the jaw line, include some cheek-raising exercises. Annette recommends grasping a chunk of flesh along the diagonal of the cheeks, and pulling the flesh away from the face, while smiling widely. Repeat 20 times, every other day.
References
- "Natural Facelift"; Juliette Kando; 1998
- "Five-Minute Facelift"; Reinhold Benz; 1991
- "Ageless If We Dare"; Louise Annette; 2009
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