Many of us have spent thousands on expensive anti-aging creams, cosmetics, facials, massages and treatments to combat the inevitable aging process. However, one troubling symptom of aging that often goes overlooked is the drooping skin on the neck. It is an area that you rarely pay any attention to until one day, you look in the mirror and notice a bit of a sag between your neck and chin. Day by day, the skin gets looser and looser, aging you way past your years.
So, short of plastic surgery, are there any options to reverse this pesky aging process? These simple exercises may help to slow it down. Try them every night before bed to see quicker results.
Kiss the ceiling
This is an exercise that should strengthen the loose muscles under your chin, giving the neck a more taut appearance. Sit back in a chair and make sure that your back is straight to avoid harming your spine. Then, lean your head back until you are making eye contact with the ceiling. Pucker your lips as if you are about to kiss the ceiling and hold the position for 10 seconds. As you let go, be sure to make a kissing noise to fully engage all of the muscles. Then, repeat the exercise 10 times.
Toothless
For this next one, you are going to wrap your lips around your teeth, covering your teeth. Basically, you are drawing your lips into your mouth and holding them in place. Begin to open and close your mouth, keeping your lips drawn inwards. Put your index finger on your chin and slowly guide your head backward and then back to an upright position. Repeat three times. This should not only lift the neck area, but it will also help lift the cheeks and tone the area around the mouth.
Pouting giraffe
While you are standing up, place your hands on your collar bones. Then, stick your bottom lip out as if you are pouting and tilt your head back again, looking towards the ceiling. Hold this pose for two long breaths. This yoga pose will target the loose skin along the front of the neck.
Swan neck
This is a simple, but effective yoga move that will target any saggy skin on your neck and around the jaw. For this move you simply have to turn your head all the way to one side, so you are looking over your shoulder. Then, tilt your head back towards the ground until you feel your neck and the muscles around your jaw lengthening and tightening.
Modified nod
This one requires a bit of preparation. Lie on the floor in a way that feels comfortable. Then, use a foam roller, a rolled up sweatshirt, or a pillow folded in half to elevate your head. Once you are in this position, lift up the chin and do small head nods inwards towards the chest. This will help to reconstruct some of the lost tension between the head and the neck and pull some of the loose skin inwards.
Sources:
http://home.bt.com/lifestyle/health/beauty-advice/saggy-neck-exercise-routine-11363966501878
http://tiphero.com/turkey-neck-exercise/
http://home.bt.com/lifestyle/health/skincare/how-to-get-rid-of-a-turkey-neck-without-surgery-in-four-easy-steps-11363860646339
