Searches for “neck exercises for wrinkles” shot up recently. It seems some people are trying at-home techniques to beat signs of aging before heading to the doctor for in-office treatments like a neck lift. Exercises are often thought to be a good place to start when trying to make a physical change in appearance, but can exercises really save you from neck wrinkles? Here’s what the experts have to say about the results of exercises when it comes to anti-aging the appearance of the neck.
Neck exercises can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
“Introducing regular strengthening exercises into your skin-care routine will help strengthen and tone the muscles through repetitive movement. This will provide a healthy scaffold and base for the surrounding tissues and skin,” explains FaceGym senior global training and development manager Sophie Perry. “Increased blood flow and oxygen will help plump and hydrate internally to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”
Posture plays a big role, and regular neck exercises can improve posture. Alo Moves face yoga instructor Koko Hayashi notes that poor posture pulls the neck, face and tongue down. “When the tongue is not on the palate and flat, the neck (especially the skin under the chin) gets saggy, which causes extra skin and horizontal wrinkles on the neck,” she explains. “So by stretching the neck and tongue muscles, it will be easier for you to keep your tongue up and flat whenever your face is resting.” This idea also coexists nicely with the mewing trend that many celebrities have latched on to, in which they position their tongue on against the roof of their mouth for a more sculpted jaw appearance.
Hayashi adds that when the body and tongue are in good posture, it’s less likely to result in shallow lines, so simply sitting in the right position can help reduce like likelihood of wrinkles. “You should also try to keep your shoulders down whenever you notice they’re up, such as while working at a desk.” Exercises can result in a tightening effect which can be beneficial for those with turkey neck, a double chin, or general neck wrinkles.
Exercise: fish pose
Start by holding your collarbone in your hand on either side, then tilt your head back slowly until you feel a stretch, instructs Perry. “Then open and close your mouth like a fish making circles as if you were saying ‘ouch,’” says Perry. “For best results, be sure to do 10 reps for five seconds daily.”
Exercise: licking the ceiling
To begin, “Keep your head above your butt, spine straight, open your chest and push your shoulders down,” says Hayashi. Then close your eyes and look upward, feeling a big stretch on the neck. “Stick out your pointy tongue toward the ceiling (imagine you are trying to lick the ceiling),” says Hayashi. “Keep the pose for 10 seconds while keeping the chin relaxed. If you have to cause chin tension, touch the chin to relax it.” Once finished, slowly come back and stretch the back of the neck.
Exercise: kiss the sky
For this exercise, “sit up straight and gently turn your head to the left and look upwards diagonally. Pout to the sky and hold for five seconds,” says Perry. “For best results, be sure to do 10 reps on each side.”
