3 Ways to Get Rid of A Double Chin

It's happened to almost everyone. You accidentally hit the front-facing camera button on your smart phone and in your reflection, are multiple chins. The dreaded double chin is one of the main causes of camera woes, especially now, in the era of Facebook and Instagram.

Double chin can be caused by a multitude of factors, such as weight gain. Overweight people carry extra fat all over their bodies and it can also show up on the face and jawline, resulting in double chin. Another factor is poor posture. Muscles that aren't in use tend to slack and lose volume, which makes the skin around it appear sagged. This can also happen in the chin area if the muscles are not exercised often. A third factor is age. As humans get older, the skin begins to lose elasticity naturally, which can affect all areas, including the chin. A final factor is genetics. There are young, thin people who still have double chins, which sometimes can be attributed to the skin type in their family history. The natural elasticity of skin is an attribute that is passed down through generations. Fortunately, whether the cause is weight gain, aging or any other factor, there are steps you can take to reduce, and even eliminate a double chin.

Extra fat in humans is distributed all around the body. If you are overweight and suffer from double chin, the solution may be to reduce overall body fat. Unfortunately, losing body fat in one specific area is not possible, and it must be done over the whole body. Cardiovascular exercise, combined with some resistance strength training and improved diet is the best way to reduce body fat. Just cutting out sugars and light exercise goes a long way in losing extra fat. There are also specific exercises for the chin and jaw area that will help. While they will not burn off all the fat, chin and jaw exercises help tighten the muscles in the area, which will reduce a double chin over time because it will pull the slack skin back up. This is also a good solution for those with poor posture. Regular exercise of the area will surely help make that double chin disappear. Some of these exercises include:

1. Pucker Up

Stand relaxed and straight. Tilt your head upward and make a kissing face towards the ceiling as far as possible. Hold for 10 to 20 seconds and there should be a stretch in the jaw and neck areas.

1. Big Yawn

Open the mouth as wide as possible while sticking the tongue out as far as it can go. Hold for 10-20 seconds. This should stretch the entire facial area as well as the jaw and neck.

3. Chew Some Gum

Chewing gum is an easy, almost mindless way to tighten up the jaw and mouth area. Sugar free mint gum is the best option, so as to not cause dental problems or extra sugar intake.

Repeat these exercises for 10-30 times each, or whatever feels comfortable without great strain. These can be done in the car, sitting at a desk, or at any other free point in the day. Over time, you will notice a difference in the firmness of the chin and jaw.

The beauty industry takes the problem of a double chin very seriously too. There are many creams and serums on the market to help reduce the effects of aging and the loss of skin elasticity. Some of the best products to look for contain peptides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamins C and E. These ingredients are key to fighting inflammation and increasing the skin's elasticity. While many are marketed for anti-aging, they are great to use even in youth, to keep the skin healthy and supple. Many are sold online, in stores and by skin-care professionals who can arm you with knowledge in fighting double chins and sagging.

Another solution is quick, safe outpatient cosmetic procedures performed by healthcare professionals. One such procedure is called Cool Sculpting or CoolMini Sculpting. In one sitting, doctors apply cold to fatty areas, and the actual fat tissue is frozen. Then the doctor massages the area to break up the fat tissue, and it will re-absorb into the body. After about 12 weeks, double chins disappear. Another procedure is called Kybella, which involves injections of a drug into the fat tissue. This treatment requires monthly maintenance but is a quick solution to a lifelong problem.

All the methods mentioned above require work and investment, but with a little maintenance, they are worth the price of time and money. Without that pesky double chin, your confidence can only soar.