Jawline Exercises: How to Get a Sharp Jawline

By Medical Expert Team

Feb 09 , 2024 | 8 min read

Overview

Your physical appearance is key to making an impactful first impression. But the advantages of youthful appearance, starts to recede as we age. It's natural to develop changes in our facial structure, attributed to various factors such as the deposition of fat tissue in the neck area, sagging caused by decreased skin elasticity, and shrinking of facial structures. Such developments may contribute to a more obscured jawline, often affecting self-esteem and potentially leading to emotional distress.

However, it is believed that engaging in specific facial exercises can help mitigate these effects. These exercises are aimed to reduce excess fat near the muscles surrounding the chin, neck, and jaw, potentially restoring a more sculpted and youthful facial profile, not only to improve physical appearance but bolster confidence and emotional well-being.

What is Jawline?

The jawline is the outline of the bone present at the lower edge of the skull. In simple words, the bony structure extending from the chin to the ear is called a jawline. An ideal jawline must have no accumulated fats, no bagginess, and no double chin in it.

While some people have a defined jawline naturally, others may achieve it with a balanced diet, healthy lifestyle, or facial jawline exercises.

Types of Jawlines

The jawline types depend upon the angle formed between the mandible or lower jaw and maxilla or upper jaw bones. It can be categorized into the following six types:

Square
Rounded square or Horseshoe
Heart
Diamond
Angular
D-shaped

Do Jawline Exercises Work

Jawline exercises may work effectively in achieving the desired perfect shape based on the facial structure. The exercises diminish signs of aging and facial sagging by constraining muscles all over the face and neck. Along with the exercises, a healthy and nutritious diet and lower stress levels are necessary which may benefit in achieving results even faster.

Jawline Exercises to Reshape Your Jawbone

Jawline exercises are quite easy to follow, although they might seem strange initially. Once a person gets accustomed to doing it, he/she can easily repeat the exercise a number of times, resulting in further strengthening of the muscles.

Neck Curl-Up

This exercise is quite similar to the abdominal crunch or abdominal curl of the neck. In this exercise, one lifts their head in a similar way to that of lifting shoulder blades in an abdominal curl-up. This is done by lying on the back with the tongue pressed on the upper part of the mouth. This exercise activates the front neck muscles that are not often used.

Vowel Exercises

This jawline exercise targets the muscles surrounding the mouth and on the sides of the lips. It causes the stretching of muscles around the lips to define the jawline. All one needs to do is to repeat pronouncing the vowels “O” & “E”.

Procedure:

Step 1: Open the mouth widely and say “O” followed by “E”.

Step 2: Be sure to exaggerate these sounds and not touch the teeth.

Step 3: Perform 3 sets of 15.

Collarbone Backup

This exercise helps in restructuring the muscles under the chin supporting the jaw. One can easily do this by standing, sitting, or lying down.

Procedure:

Step 1: Sit or lay down on the floor.

Step 2: Bring the head back and forth several inches until the neck muscles on either side of the throat undergo relaxation and contraction.

Step 3: Perform it about 10 times.

While doing this exercise, it is important to make sure that the ears stay over the shoulders and the head is kept straight.

Chin-Up

This exercise helps in defining the weak jawline by lifting the chin and facial muscles in the lower half of the face, including the jaw.

Procedure:

Step 1: Close the mouth and push the lower jaw forward very slowly.

Step 2: Lift the lower lip and push up until there is a feeling of stretching in the muscles under the chin and the jawline.

Step 3: Stay in this position for 10 to 15 seconds and relax. Repeat the exercise 15 times.

Tongue Twister

The tongue twister exercise facilitates defining the jawline by stretching the muscles below the chin.

Procedure:

Step 1: Place the tongue on the palate behind the teeth

Step 2: Press the roof of the mouth with the tongue to create force.

Step 3: Now start humming and then make a vibrating sound

Repeating this process a few times will help in activating the muscles underneath the chin

Side Kisses

The side kiss exercise targets the muscles around the mouth and cheeks to effectively improve the jawline.

Procedure:

Step 1: Pull up the lips and form a kissing pose. Then drag the lips in the right corner of the mouth.

Step 2: Try to maintain this posture for at least three seconds before relaxing the corners.

Step 3: Repeat the same exercise on the left side.

Step 4: Relax mouth edges and repeat it 30 to 60 times.

Moon Kissing

This is the most efficient jawline exercise that strains the muscles around the jawline and mouth.

Procedure:

Step 1: Look upwards while extending the neck.

Step 2: Stretch the bottom lip as upwards as possible and make a kiss with the lips. At this time, there must be a feeling of tension in the throat and jaws.

Step 3: Do this 30 times, and then relax for five minutes before starting again.

Clenches and Releases

This jawline exercise can be easily executed while driving or doing any casual work like watching television. However, at times one might experience discomfort while doing the clench and release repeatedly.

Procedure:

Step 1: Grind teeth along with clenching or compressing the jaw for at least ten seconds

Step 2: Start by doing 2-3 sets of 10 -15 repetitions.

Step 3: Gradually increase the length of clenching time and the total number of reps.

Chin Sags:

This exercise strains the muscles below the chin and jawline area.

Procedure:

Step 1: Put the elbow on a firm surface and the fist underneath the chin.

Step 2: Try to open the mouth while forcing it against the surface with the help of a wrist. Wait in this position for a few seconds and then release.

Step 3: Do this exercise three times in ten repetitions each.

Chin Slide

The chin slide exercise targets the muscles underneath the chin.

Procedure:

Step 1: Put the palm underneath the chin, and pull the bottom jaw down as far as possible by keeping the mouth shut.

Step 2: Use the palm to apply pressure as the hand moves along the double chin, jawline, and side of the face until it reaches the temples.

Step 3: Do this exercise ten times which includes 5 times on each side.

Lip Presses

This exercise stimulates all the muscles around the mouth and jaw.

Procedure:

Step 1: Press lips and edges of the mouth together followed by squeezing of the upper and lower jaws.

Step 2: Restrain all the muscles in the mouth and jaw and hold them for 10 seconds.

Step 3: Release the tension and repeat it 10 times to tone facial muscles.

Restore the Jawbone

This exercise triggers the muscles in the jawline area.

Procedure:

Step 1: Put thumbs next to each other on the tip of the chin, and rest the other fingers below each ear.

Step 2: Drag thumbs along the jawbone with modest pressure, and stop just underneath each ear with the slight pressing of the chin into the thumbs to generate resistance. Repeat it ten times.

Lower Jowl Lift

This jawline exercise activates the muscles along the jawline.

Procedure:

Step 1: Fold the bottom lip around the teeth while locating the right hand on the collarbone.

Step 2: Tilt the head back for a few inches and pull the edges of the mouth back keeping the bottom lip still wrapped around the teeth.

Step 3: Hold the step and let the head fall down. Repeat it on either side 10 times.

Mouth Stretches

This is an easy exercise that is performed when other stretching exercises cause discomfort or pain while doing it.

Procedure:

Step 1: Maintain a wide open mouth position for at least 60 seconds.

Step 2: Start to open it even further until there is a feeling of stretching that causes the jaw muscles to expand.

Step 3: Loosen the mouth and repeat the exercise ten times.

Cheek Stretches

This exercise targets the muscles surrounding the mouth and cheek.

Procedure:

Step 1: Inflate the cheeks on both sides by holding air as much as possible.

Step 2: Flex the cheek and mouth muscles and maintain this for three minutes.

Step 3: Try inhaling more air without letting it out and hold your breath for a while. Loosen up by releasing the air.

Other Things to do to Get Perfect Jawline

Some other practices that one can follow to get a perfect jawline are:

Have a healthy a balanced diet and maintain the BMI ratio
Do regular workouts
Do mewing which is placing the tongue on the roof of the mouth in the resting position
Massage the face regularly

Conclusion

Doctors recommend that performing jawline exercises for 20 to 30 minutes a day can bring about noticeable changes in the facial appearance of an individual. For beginners, it is recommended to start with a limited number of repetitions as a specific duration is required to build up these muscles. In addition, it is not recommended to do the exercises vigorously as it might damage the jaw bone joints. If any jaw pain or discomfort arises, it is recommended to stop them immediately and revive them only after consulting with a dentist. As any exercise, do consult with your physiotherapist before incorporating them in your routine schedule.

FAQ’s

Can Jawline Exercises Actually Work?

The jawline exercises are quite effective in reshaping or delivering a prominent jawline as they trigger or activate the muscles around the mouth and jaw.

How Can I Shape My Jawline Naturally?

One can easily shape their jawline by practicing a number of jawline exercises for 20-30 minutes a day.

Can Chewing Gum Improve Jawline?

Chewing gums often causes the exercising of facial muscles, but it’s unlikely to alter or improve the jawline visibly.

How Can I Train My Jawline at Home?

Jawline can be trained by doing jawline exercises at home for 20-30 minutes. This includes chin-ups, vowel exercises, clenches and releases which can be easily down while sitting idle or doing any household work.