Do you have a double chin? Here are a few tips to get rid of it.



Mother Nature's done a lot of good stuff, but one thing we could have done without is gravity. Since the day we stepped into our late teens, gravity has been pulling us down. And of all our body parts, none is more gravity-sensitive than the neck. Put on just a little weight, a few years, and the next time you look into the mirror you'll see a pudgy layer of flesh hanging below your chin. Ugh! The Birth of the Double Chin! What's even worse is you don't need to be overweight to get a double chin a lot of skinnies have them too, if their jawline is not very sharp and they don't exercise regularly.

From a health perspective, there's nothing dangerous about a double chin unless you are seriously overweight. Even then, the double chin is just a symptom of obesity, not a problem. But harmless or not, we women still find double chins unattractive. Getting rid of a double chin is not all that easy. The standard rules apply. Get regular aerobic exercise. Eat less fat and stay clear of crash diets, which do more harm than good. Here are some spot reducing exercises, which should help, but you will see better results if you combine them with a regular exercise programme.

Chin Up

Tilt your head back and open your mouth as though you were biting into an apple. Do this exercise 10-15 times every day for a firm chin and neck. And if you've always liked chewing gum, you've now got a perfect excuse. Chewing is good exercise for your jaw and chin muscles.

Boo!

Stick out your tongue! If you enjoy pulling faces, you'll love this exercise. Extend your tongue to the tip of your nose. If you can't get there, go as far as you can. Repeat about 30 times.

Splash Out

Dip a few ice cubes in a mug of water and slap your neck and the area under your chin with this ice cold water. Do this about 15 times.

Different Strokes

Apply cold cream under your chin and stroke your neck from the base of your throat to your chin, with your fingers. Use firm, quick strokes.

Neck-Exercises

1. Rotate neck slowly in a clockwise direction, and then alternate in an anti-clockwise direction.

2. Lie on your back with your shoulders lifted slightly off the floor. Rotate your head to the left and then right. Tilt your head reaching as far back with your neck as possible, keeping your shoulders slightly arched. Then tilt your chin forward toward your chest. Do this about 10 times.

3. Contract and relax your neck muscles. This firms your neck muscles and can be done any time of the day, at any place.

If you can't lose it, hide it!

Here are some great tricks:

    * Long hair draws attention to your neck - which is just fine if you have a long, graceful neck. But if you don't, the best cuts are those which end at or above the jawline. Short hair gives the illusion of a longer neck.

    * Wear dresses with low necklines. Avoid turtlenecks like plague. Open, broad necklines are more flattering for women with double chins.

    * Avoid chokers. Stick to long necklaces or those which sit at the base of the throat, but have drops.

    * If you apply foundation, apply one shade darker to the area below your chin. Blend it well with the rest of your face. This will draw attention away from your chin.

    * Cosmetic surgery should be a last resort. If you've tried everything else, and have money to burn, you can have your neck 'sculpted'. The plastic surgeon will make a tiny cut under your chin, suck out the fat that has collected there and sew the edges together.

    * Walk Tall: Hold your head high while you walk and keep your chin up. A good posture also makes your neck look more graceful and draws attention away from your double chin.