A double chin is an accumulation of fat under the chin, often caused by weight gain, aging, posture issues, or poor muscle tone.
Although it is primarily a cosmetic concern, it can affect confidence and facial definition for many people.
Fortunately, non-surgical approaches can facilitate an improved jawline over time. These include weight loss, posture correction, and effective exercises for double chin reduction.
Let's explore some exercises that contribute to achieving a well-defined jawline.
A double chin refers to fat deposits beneath the chin. Though often linked to weight gain, it can also result from genetics, aging, or skin laxity.
A double chin develops when fat builds up beneath the chin. While it's often linked to weight gain, genetics and age-related skin laxity can also play a role.
Understanding why a double chin develops helps set realistic expectations. Submental fat can build up for several reasons:
Some can settle under the chin when you put on body weight. Losing weight on a diet and cardio is usually the first step to losing general fat, including the neck.
Some people inherit the tendency to carry fat under the chin. A decrease in skin elasticity as one ages can lead to sagging and may make a double chin more noticeable. Indeed, “looser skin resulting from aging” is a recognised cause of submental fullness.
Even if you are not overweight, weak muscles in the neck and jaw zone can let fat stick out. Even slim individuals may develop a double chin due to poor muscle tone or posture. In other words, a strong neck supports the jaw, while weak muscles can cause fat or skin to fall.
If you have your head forward, it can fold skin and fat under your chin. Conversely, exercises that position the head correctly (chin tucks) will help strengthen deep neck muscles and bring back the chin area. In sum, a double chin usually indicates whole-body and whole-face alterations. There is no quick fix for submental fat.
As the medical report cautions, health factors such as weight gain, genetics, and aging “cannot be treated with muscle exercises alone,” there is “no strong scientific data” that jaw workouts can reduce submental fat. The gradual development of the neck, accompanied by the development of healthy habits, can help change its appearance.
For many people, health and weight control are top priorities. Losing fat can help reduce overall body size, including the neck area. The obvious solution for someone with a "double chin" is to lose weight through diet and exercise.
Below are some of the best non-surgical exercises for a defined jawline. These moves focus on the chin, neck, and lower face muscles. When done regularly, these are widely considered effective exercises for double chin reduction, as they target the underlying muscles and support improved tone.
Tilt your head back and look at the ceiling. Next, shift your lower jaw forward until you sense a stretch beneath your chin. Hold for about 8–10 seconds, then relax. Repeat 10–15 times. This “chin lift” targets the platysma and various muscles beneath the chin. It can strengthen the tissue beneath the jaw with time.
Sit or stand upright and hold a soft ball below the chin. Place your chin firmly on the ball, hold for 5–10 seconds, and release. Do 8–10 reps per set. This exercise provides resistance for the jaw and neck muscles, helping to tone and strengthen them over time.
Lean your head back towards the ceiling. Pucker or “kiss” your lips as if making a kiss to the sky, stretching them as far as possible from your face. Hold the pucker for 3-5 seconds, then relax, centering the head in a neutral position. Repeat 8–12 times. This movement exercises muscles around the lips and upper neck.
Stand or sit tall. Stick out your tongue as far as you can, and go straight up toward your nose. Hold 5–10 seconds, then relax. Repeat 8–10 times. Though it may feel odd, this movement engages the throat and chin muscles. Over time, it could contribute to firming up the neck and jawline in the front.
Tilt your head back and look up. Place the tongue flat, touching the roof of your mouth, and hold for 5-10 seconds. Relax and repeat 8–10 times. This is a chin tuck with a twist, opening up muscles underneath the jaw. It also serves as a posture exercise, pushing the neck to a stronger position.
Tilt your head back and look up. Protrude your lower jaw forward and feel the tension in the muscles beneath your chin. Hold 5–10 seconds, then relax. Next, turn your head to the right and hold the jaw jut, holding for a few seconds. Then, turn your head to the left and do the same. Perform 8–10 repetitions on each side. This action extends the sides and the front of the neck and jaw.
Maintain a routine cardio (fast walking, jogging, swimming, etc) and full-body strength training. Fat loss generally requires consistent exercise that burns more calories than you consume. Even if the target is the jawline, a slimmer body will contribute to the slimming of the face and neck.
Note: None of these exercises will directly reduce fat from under your chin. According to several sources, spot reduction is unrealistic. These moves instead help build and tone the muscles. Over weeks, firmer muscles can provide better support under the skin.
There are several ways to reduce a double chin, from non-invasive treatments to surgical procedures. Here are some options:
There’s no magic bullet, but a combined approach works best. The best way to eliminate a double chin is usually holistic: focus on healthy weight loss, strengthen your neck posture, and do regular face/neck exercises.
Combining lifestyle changes with targeted muscle toning gives you the best chance of a more defined jaw. As one expert put it, strengthening the facial muscles can help keep fat “where it belongs” and give the face a firmer shape. With dedication to healthy habits and exercises, you can gradually work toward a tighter jawline naturally.
If you're consistent with these exercises and lifestyle changes, you may begin to notice a slimmer, more defined jawline within a few weeks. While no single method can target chin fat directly, combining diet, posture correction, and facial muscle workouts is the best way to eliminate a double chin naturally.
We’re Star Health. We offer the coverage that’s designed to help keep you healthy. It's the care that comes to you, and stays with you.