Double Chin

A double chin, meaning excess fat under the chin, is a very common concern. While it has sometimes been thought to be only related to weight gain or obesity, anyone can develop a double chin. Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce or eliminate it. In this article, we’ll explain more about the causes and available solutions.

What causes a double chin?

There are three main factors behind the development of a double chin: skin laxity, excess fat, and muscle weakness. Skin laxity usually occurs with aging, as collagen production decreases and the skin loses its elasticity. This causes the skin in the chin and neck area to sag, which can make a double chin more noticeable.

Another significant factor is excess fat that accumulates under the chin, often due to weight gain. Being overweight increases fat deposits throughout the body, including the face. However, a double chin can also form in people of normal weight if they are genetically predisposed to storing fat in this area.

The third cause is muscle weakness, especially in the chin and neck area. Aging and poor posture can reduce muscle tone, making the double chin more pronounced. When the muscles lose firmness, they no longer support the skin as effectively, leading to more visible sagging.

A double chin usually develops in stages. At first, small amounts of fat may collect under the chin and become visible only in certain positions. As it progresses, the fat deposits increase and sagging becomes more apparent. In later stages, excess fat and loose skin form a clearly defined double chin. Early intervention, such as lifestyle changes or professional treatments, can help address the problem before it worsens.

Can You Get Rid of a Double Chin at Home?

The most common question people with a double chin have is: How do I get rid of it? A double chin can be reduced with home remedies, although the results are not always as visible or as fast as with professional treatments.

The most effective ways to address a double chin at home include weight management and healthy lifestyle habits. A balanced diet and regular exercise help reduce overall body fat. Facial exercises targeting the chin and neck muscles may also support toning in these areas.

However, it’s important to remember that fat burning cannot be targeted to specific areas at home. While home remedies may provide some improvement, they are not always enough for significant changes. That’s why many people turn to professional treatments, which we’ll introduce in more detail next.

Getting Rid of a Double Chin with Professional Treatments

When home remedies don’t bring the desired results, professional treatments offer an effective solution for reducing a double chin. Today, there are several modern treatment methods that can target and reduce fat directly in the problem area.

• EMFACE Submentum: Reduces a double chin by tightening the skin with radiofrequency and strengthening the chin and neck muscles with HIFES™ technology, resulting in a more defined jawline without surgery.
• EXION Fractional: Combines radiofrequency and microneedling to stimulate collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid production, tightens the skin, and diminishes sagging, resulting in a naturally more defined chin and neck area.
• EXION Face: Deeply hydrates and tightens the skin, stimulates collagen and elastin production, and soft reduces fat deposits, resulting in firmer skin in the chin and neck area and a more defined jawline.
• Dermal Fillers (e.g., Hyaluronic Acid): By adding volume and reshaping the chin with dermal fillers, we can slightly reduce the appearance of a sagging double chin.
• Kybella: A popular treatment that uses injections to break down fat cells under the chin. It effectively eliminates fat but requires multiple sessions.
• HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound): Delivers ultrasound energy deep under the skin to stimulate collagen production while effectively reducing a double chin.
• CoolSculpting: A method where fat cells are frozen and naturally eliminated by the body. This is a non-invasive, low-risk treatment, but results typically appear after several months.
• Facelift: A procedure that more broadly addresses signs of aging in the face and neck, such as sagging skin and a double chin. During the surgery, excess skin is removed and muscles are tightened, which helps improve the jawline and firm the face. It is most commonly performed as a lower facelift.
• Liposuction: One of the most common procedures, where excess fat is surgically removed from under the chin. This allows for contouring of the jawline and quick elimination of a double chin. However, recovery time is required after the procedure.
• Platysmaplasty: A surgery that tightens the platysma muscle, which can loosen over time and contribute to a double chin. The procedure removes sagging skin and tightens the neck muscles, improving both the neck and jawline appearance.
• At-Home Methods: Such as facial muscle exercises and dietary changes, may offer some support, but their effectiveness is usually limited.

Getting rid of a double chin is possible through both at-home methods and professional treatments. The choice depends on how visible and permanent results are desired, as well as practical factors such as recovery time.