keep your chin up

Most of us don’t give much thought to our chin and neck areas until it’s selfie- or picture-taking time. Then, uh-oh, suddenly this area unmasks hidden insecurities. Around age 20, wrinkles and slackening around this touchy triangular region start revealing a person’s true age. To continue jutting out a strong chin and firm neck, try these non-surgical routes.

Tech E Ect

Staying plugged in wreaks “tech neck” whereby horizontal neck creases form by gazing down at phones. Sagging and wrinkling are most common in those 18 to 39 who own multiple devices. Hold your device at eye level, or dictate messages using virtual assistants like Siri.

smooth & lighten

Rough neck skin deserves the same anti-aging creams and serums as your face, especially those containing protective antioxidants like retinol, vitamin C, vitamin E and beta carotene. To even skin tone, choose bleaching creams containing kojic acid, mushroom or licorice.

Dermatology Options

Sun repair: Non-ablative, intense pulsed light (IPL) like Lumecca, used for hair removal and acne, also freshens texture and pigment in one treatment. Plump and fill: Dermal fillers Restylane and Juvederm inject hyaluronic acid to plump creases for approximately six months.

Sun Sense

Double Chin Workouts

Firm jowls, holding each exercise for 10 seconds, and repeat 10 times.

CHIN RUSH: Start with your chin toward the ceiling. Push your fist against your chin, and lower your jaw to resist the pushing.

GRIMACE: Open your mouth and grimace hard by pointing the corners of your mouth downward while tightly flexing your neck tendons.

CEILING KISS: Lean your head back, point your chin upward and extend puckered lips as far as possible.

trim, tighten and rejuvenate

Radiofrequency procedures (Fractora, ThermiSmooth) deliver heat into tissues while laser treatments (Fraxel, A rm) create microscopic wounds to stimulate collagen production and tighten skin. Kybella injects deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring substance that permanently breaks down fat.

Our Contouring Guru Says

Dr. Michael Holloway Lifestyle Solutions Medical Spa, Ocala

“CoolSculpting for permanent fat removal has been developed for 15 years. But recently, a mini applicator for the neck and chin received FDA clearance. It chills the area close to freezing, injuring the fat cells. The body then eliminates the unwanted fat. You’ll see dramatic results in the first month and ongoing improvement even after four months. We’ve had some amazing results where the patient had a large double chin, and it was as though it didn’t exist. Price depends on size of the area, generally $1,500-$3,000 for an hour session. Someone can come during lunchtime and go right back to work.”

If you unpack one reminder, use sunscreen today. Because sun damage accrues oh-so-slowly, many don’t consider it a dire case for slathering on the SPF protection. But when harmful rays meet the neck’s delicate tissue, elastin and collagen proteins that pu up the skin quickly deplete. Plus, age spots and blotchiness begin popping up. Frequently apply an SPF 30 or higher, with broad-spectrum coverage in the form of avobenzone, Helioplex or Mexoryl formulas.