A double chin is caused by an extra layer of fat forming below the chin. Though often associated with weight gain, it's not always the case. Double chins can also be caused by your genetics or looser skin from aging. “Turkey neck” is a term for wrinkled, sagging skin on the neck which is a common sign of aging.
A double chin can occur as a result of accumulated fat in the neck or sagging of the skin under the chin. Both conditions can create the appearance of a saggy neck, sometimes called a turkey neck. A double chin is a common aesthetic problem of aging, although it can also appear in those who are overweight.
While surgical procedures can effectively eliminate a turkey neck, they're invasive and may require weeks of recovery time. Additionally, bruising, swelling, and scarring are common side effects of cosmetic surgery that may require a few months to subside.
While many of us would like to see a streamlined profile when we look in the mirror, some of us have excess fat that creates a double chin, also called submental fullness.
If you have a double chin despite being skinny, your body just happens to genetically store extra fat around the jawline. There's really nothing unusual about it, but it does present a challenge in that your chin fat is much harder to target through diet and exercise alone.
"You can improve tone on the neck, but the amount of collagen and elastin in the neck skin is less than most other areas on the body. You can't really tighten that area up that much, unless you move to the more surgical end of the spectrum."
Fat distribution – Any excess fat in or around the neck area will cause the skin to stretch and fold over, which will result in folds that resemble a turkey's wattle. A consistent exercise regime, a healthy diet and slowly losing weight can help to decrease the fat deposits near your neck and tighten the skin.
You can do this by placing your hands on the back of your head, and gently pushing your head backward. Once you feel resistance in the neck, hold that position for up to 10 seconds. Then, release and relax your neck. Repeat 5 times, making sure not to overdo it and cause unnecessary neck pain.
Most people notice neck skin beginning to significantly sag and wrinkle around the age of 40. That's also when underlying platysmal muscles start to detach and loosen, their edges showing through thinning skin as vertical bands from the chin to collarbone. What you see is turkey neck.
Raise your chin, looking up as you press your jaw forward. Let your neck extend, allowing the muscles in front to relax as the side muscles (these are known as sternocleidomastoid muscles) are exercised. Hold the position for 5-10 seconds and then repeat it up to 10 times for the best results.
Instead, losing weight throughout your body can help a double chin go away, along with excess fat in other areas. Eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly are two key components of any weight-loss endeavor, according to the Mayo Clinic.
These birds are big — sometimes tipping the scales at more than 20 pounds — but what most often catches our eyes is the bright red skin that hangs from the birds' necks. This fleshy, bumpy skin has a name: the wattle.
"It can be hereditary, but is most often due to aging, UV damage or weight loss." Dr. Pollack explains that the neck's skin and muscles become loose once we reach age 40. The skin becomes less able to shrink with weight loss, and weakened muscles can create a banded appearance.
Neck skin sagging and excess skin, also known as turkey neck, can result from aging, overexposure to the sun, and sudden weight loss. Age and sun exposure can cause the skin to lose protein, namely collagen and elastin, which can cause the skin to loosen.
Neck exercises
Just grab a pack of sugar-free chewing gum and chew it twice a day for 10 minutes. Doing so will help build muscle under your chin and in your neck, fighting off that double chin and turkey neck.
Change your sleeping position and lose the double chin!
To further reduce puffiness and facial water retention, sleep on your back with your head slightly elevated. This position allows fluids to drain from your face. Use an extra pillow so that your head is at least a couple inches above your body.
Place one hand on your forehead. Push your head against your hand without allowing your head to move forward. Hold this position for 10 seconds. Then, hold both of your hands behind your head, pushing backwards with your neck, and hold for 10 seconds.
A surgical neck lift averages $5,100. Nonsurgical procedures, on the other hand, range from $400 to $2,000, depending on the treatment. Shorter procedure. In general, most nonsurgical procedures take 30 to 90 minutes, compared with surgical procedures that can take several hours.
Kybella is currently the only FDA-approved nonsurgical injectable technique that permanently dissolves unwanted fat underneath the chin. Kybella takes about 15-20 minutes to administer and has a very short downtime compared to surgical procedures such as liposuction.
When it comes to knowing how to reduce face fat and a double chin, it doesn't get any easier than chewing gum. A chewing action gives your facial muscles a workout and can tighten them. Chewing gum for one hour daily can also combat the baby fat in your cheeks.
“Typically, a double chin corresponds with carrying excess weight. But there's no scientific evidence supporting a clear-cut way of losing it besides diet and exercise,” notes health and fitness specialist Chris Dempers.