Minimally Invasive Body Contouring
Double Chin
While many of us would like to see a streamlined profile when we look in the mirror, some of us have excess fat that creates a double chin, also called submental fullness.
As many as 68 percent of people are dissatisfied with their double chin, according to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.
What Causes a Double Chin?
Age
As you get older, your skin loses elasticity, leading to the formation of excess skin under your chin, which can appear as a double chin.
Weight Gain
Although not always, a double chin can be associated with weight gain. When you gain weight, some of that fat can be deposited in the area around your neck and chin.
Genetics
Some people might inherit a tendency to develop a double chin from their family. If your relatives have double chins, you might be more likely to have one as well.
Posture
Poor posture can weaken the muscles of the neck and chin. This may contribute to a double chin over time, as the skin in that area is not as supported and can become saggy.
Diet
A diet high in processed foods, unhealthy fats, and sugars can lead to weight gain and, consequently, a double chin.
Procedures for Getting Rid of a Double Chin
1. Liposuction
Liposuction is a procedure used to remove extra fat under the skin and help shape the area around the chin and neck for a better contour. To give you an image, it's like the doctor makes a tiny cut under the skin, puts in a small tube, and sucks out the unwanted fat. Liposuction typically requires only local anesthetic to numb the area. Patients are awake and sometimes doze off during the procedure.
A common worry is, "Once the fat's gone, will my skin sag?" It's a valid concern. That's why there's something called Laser liposuction. With this method, you don't just remove the fat — the laser actually melts the fat and at the same time helps tighten your skin to prevent sagging. There's also another technique called Renuvion liposuction that might be a better fit for some people than laser liposuction. To decide which method suits you best, a few things will be checked: the elasticity of your skin, how much fat needs to be taken out, and your age.
Another common concern: "Will the fat return after it's been removed?" In reality, the fat that's taken out during liposuction is gone for good. Even if remaining fat cells do get bigger, they won't make your chin go back to how it was before liposuction. Your neck and chin will still look more contoured and defined than they were prior to the procedure.
2. Kybella
Kybella is deoxycholic acid — an injectable treatment for a double chin. Deoxycholic acid is a substance the gallbladder uses to dissolve dietary fat. Injecting this chemical into the skin beneath the chin melts fat there that the body then reabsorbs. This nonsurgical approach requires several treatments spaced out over several weeks. Most people receive two or three treatments, but it can take up to six treatments, depending on the patient and the amount of excess fat in the treatment area.
Although Kybella is an interesting concept, it has some real downsides. The injections are quite painful and people can also expect to have a swollen neck for about 10 days after each treatment session. Everyone who had this treatment was a little surprised that it's not a fast, easy solution. Another concern is that even after two treatments, the fat under the chin hardly improved.
At the end of the day, people need to decide whether they're willing to stick out the pain over several treatments and wait longer to see results — or get the one-time but permanent removal of the double chin fat.
A Note from Dr. Lopez
In my medical practice, if a patient has previously had Kybella injections, I tend to advise against using liposuction as a follow-up treatment. Kybella is a powerful substance that destroys not only fat cells but also other types of tissues it comes into contact with. This broad effect can lead to fibrotic scarring — a kind of scarring that results in the affected tissue becoming thick and tough. When fibrotic scarring occurs, it can make subsequent liposuction procedures challenging. In simpler terms, if you've had Kybella injections before, it might make any future liposuction treatments harder to perform and potentially less successful. That's why I usually recommend against combining these two treatments.
Before & After Results
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Ready to Define Your Profile?
Call Dr. Lopez at Rejuvimed to schedule a consultation and find the right treatment for your double chin.
559-488-9234Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Results vary by individual — no specific outcome is guaranteed. All treatments are performed by or under the supervision of Cynthia M. Lopez, M.D. Before/after photos are of actual patients and are used with consent. Individual results may vary. This website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. Please consult Dr. Lopez directly to determine whether a treatment is appropriate for you.