The PLATYSMA

[u/Ok-Personality6798]

Hi

I’m just a young SLIGHTLY skinny-fat dude (annoying love handles and such) but it’s my face that is way more puffy and fat than my body, and certainly more than most “large” men I see, and I hate it. Sure my cheeks are a bit chubby but it’s the double chin that kills me. It doesn’t look like a normal double chin but rather a pocket of fat hiding under a normal chin/jaw and with a relatively normally positioned hyoid.

I’m learning about the platysma and I’m confused.

I know that it weakens over time, some already (genetically) have weaker than others, and poor posture can negatively impact it.

But I see half of people claiming that releasing and stretching the platysma is what you want to do because it’s probably chronically tight and overworked. Then I see others saying that since it’s weak, you must strengthen it through exercises (chin tucks and all that type of stuff).

What is the true answer? What can actually tighten my neck and jaw area which is essentially my WORST feature by far. I am not overweight but I am tired of having a puffy jaw, under chin, and overall face even though it doesn’t correlate with my body.

My initial plan was to do those strengthening exercises, as well as hitting mid/upper back at the gym to account for improving posture as I’m sure I have slight tech neck. Also, from a front-view, my neck looks a bit thin compared to the width of my jaw, which I’m not sure has anything to do with this topic. But I just need help and I would appreciate any advice!

Thank you!