Between hours at a screen and a habit of clenching when we concentrate, the jaw and neck carry more than their share. A good lower-face routine mixes stretch, release and light tone.
The cast of muscles
- Platysma: a thin sheet that runs from the jaw down to the collarbone.
- Masseter and temporalis: the chewing muscles, which tighten when we clench.
- Suprahyoid muscles: under the chin, active when you swallow and stick out your tongue.
- Orbicularis oris and mentalis: around the lips and chin.
1. Upward Neck Kiss
Sit tall and tilt your head back, gazing at the ceiling. Pucker your lips as if you are kissing the sky and feel the stretch along the front of the neck. Hold 10 seconds, return slowly, repeat 6 times. Stop if you feel dizzy or a sharp pull.
2. Jaw and Platysma Stretch
Place your hands at the base of your neck to anchor the skin. Tilt your head slightly back and gently draw the corners of your mouth down and out, feeling the platysma engage. Hold 5 seconds, release, 8 repetitions.
3. Cheeky Tongue
With your hands anchoring the base of the neck and your head slightly back, extend your tongue and sweep it slowly from left to right. Do 10 to 12 sweeps. It looks silly. It also reaches muscles under the chin.
4. Jaw Clench Release
Clench your teeth gently for 3 seconds, then let your jaw drop open slightly and slide it forward and back a few millimetres. Massage the cheek muscle in small circles with your fingertips. This is a release move, not a strength move. If your jaw clicks, locks or hurts, stop and see a professional.
Posture is part of the routine
- Bring your screen up to eye level so your chin does not drop.
- Rest your tongue gently on the roof of your mouth with teeth slightly apart.
- Roll your shoulders back every hour.
Finish with a tool
The jawline is where gua sha shines. Our guide Gua Sha for a Sculpted Jawline walks through the strokes, and the Rebel Sculpt has angled edges made for contouring this area.
The takeaway: release first, stretch second, tone last, and always listen to your jaw.
Keep pressure light around the eyes and mouth. Stop if your jaw clicks, locks or hurts, or if a neck movement makes you dizzy. Skip resistance work on any area treated with botulinum toxin in the last six months, and check with your doctor or dermatologist first if you have an active skin condition, jaw-joint pain, facial nerve problems, or recent facial surgery or injectables. Face fitness is a wellness practice, not medical advice.
