No More Double-takes - Naturally Taking Care Of A Double-chin Takes Years Off Your Appearance

By Author: Dee Braun
Total Articles: 12
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We all hate that double-chin that creeps up on is in mid-life....but, is there anything (besides surgery) we can do about it?

Here's what I've found:

1) Lose 10 or 15 pounds. "The single best way to get rid of a double chin is to Lose Weight," says Robert Kotler, M.D., a facial cosmetic surgeon and clinical instructor in surgery at the University of California, Los Angeles. "Lots of people come to my office wanting cosmetic surgery. But if they just take off some excess weight, the problem usually diminishes to the point where they don't need any more help."

2) Get cropped. Long hair draws eyes to your neck, which, if you have a double-chin is exactly what you want to avoid. Pageboy cuts which curl under the chin are the absolute worst. "The rule is to keep it short, at or above the jawline," says Kathleen Walas, fashion and beauty director for New York Citybased Avon Products and author of Real Beauty . . . Real Women.

3) Shoulders Back! Yes, a good posture is yet another way to help you get rid of a double chin. Sitting up straight and keeping your jaw slightly jutted is going to help keep that ...
... double chin away. When you give your jaw muscles too much slack it ensures that loose skin and body fat begin to accumulate there. Try an ergonomic chair to help you stay on the 'up and up' posture-wise at work.

4) Moisturize. Although moisturizing won't prevent a double-chin, many women forget the neck and decolatage areas when cleansing and moisturizing. Be sure to give as much TLC to your neck area as you to do your face.

5) Makeup. To play down a double chin, play up another feature. Walas suggests using blush high on your cheekbones. Or, pay extra attention to your eyes using bright, tasteful shades of eye shadow. Apply foundation, if you use it, a shade darker under your chin and blend it well with your facial foundation. "That will make the rest of your face bright and attractive and your double chin much less noticeable," Walas says.

Exercising...

Facial exercises can help that double-chin challenge and should be done once a day. This is a regimen which can be continued for life, or you can scale back to three times a week after a month of doing these exercises daily.

Some folks report that minor spots or blemishes appear after starting facial exercises, and yes, this is normal. You are stimulating the skin, increasing circulation, which in turn increases production of the skin's natural lubricants and oils. This results in increased releases of impurities. This temporary side-effect will disappear very quickly once the skin is functioning efficiently again.

Skin cells, like some of us couch potatoes, tend to get lazy and stagnate. But, with proper exercises both we and our skin cells are once again activated to work with renewed vigor.

Neck and throat facial exercises

* A great exercise is to sit upright, tilt your head back looking at the ceiling while keeping your lips closed and begin a chewing movement. You will feel the muscles working in your neck and throat area - and will be truly amazed at the results. Repeat 20 times.

* Sit upright, tilt your head back looking at the ceiling, while keeping your lips closed and relaxed. Start puckering your lips together in a kiss and stretch the kiss, as if you were trying to kiss the ceiling. Keep your lips puckered for 10 counts, then relax, bring your head back to its normal position and repeat 5 times.

* Sit upright, tilt your head back looking at the ceiling, while keeping your lips closed and relaxed. Open your lips and stick your tongue out as if you were trying to touch your chin with the tip of your tongue. Keep your tongue out in this position for 10 counts, and then return your tongue and head to its normal position.

* Sit upright, tilt your head back looking at the ceiling, while keeping your lips closed and relaxed. Next move your lower lip over your top lip as far as possible and keep it there for a count of 5. Relax and repeat 5 times.

* Lie on your bed, with your head hanging down over the edge. Slowly bring your head up towards your torso and keep it there for 10 counts. Relax and lower your head towards the floor again - repeat 5 times.

* Sit upright and face forward and while keeping your lips together, separate your teeth by dropping your jaw and then push your jaw forward, keep for a count of 10, bring back to starting position and repeat 5 times.

* Chewing sugar-free gum is a great way to help maintain good hygiene and fight off a double chin. Keeping your jaw and facial muscles moving and working is the key to preventing the build up of excess fat and loose skin. The muscles in your face responsible for keeping your jaw line tight are the same muscles that you use to chew and make facial expressions-chewing gum and making facial expressions will help retain that jaw line.

Sources:

getridofthings.com/get-rid-of-a-double-chin.htm

mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/44/24.cfm

Dee Braun, a single mom of 6, is a Certified Aromatherapist, Certified Dr. of Reflexology and a natural health practitioner. Click now to visit NaturallyBeautiful.Me at http://www.naturallybeautiful.me/ - where you can find helpful information on natural and effective skincare treatments (including recipes!) to help battle the ravages of time, toxins and stress as well as address many common skincare problems.