Let’s face it: A double chin can make you look and feel heavier and older than you are. The reality is, however, that you don’t have to be old or even obese to carry the extra loose skin and fat around your neck.
What causes a double chin, exactly?
Also known as submental fat, double chin is a common condition that can be the result of—along with the aforementioned aging and excess weight—your facial structure, genetics or some combination of the two. Some patients may have loose, sagging muscles or excess skin.
Unfortunately, you only need one of these issues for a double chin to form and leave a lasting impact on your facial profile, as well as your self-confidence.
How do I lose my double chin?
Thankfully, if you do have a double chin, there are some things you can try to lessen its appearance or get rid of it all together.
Targeted Exercises
Though there is no scientific evidence that supports the idea that exercises can help get rid of a double chin, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence of it floating around the internet.
Lifestyle Changes
If you suspect that your double chin is the result of poor diet and lack of exercise causing a few extra pounds, the best way to rectify it is to make some healthier lifestyle choices.
Some good guidelines for healthy eating include:
- Avoiding fried foods, processed foods and keeping sugar intake to a minimum
- Considering lean proteins, such as turkey or fish, instead of red meat
- Consuming four servings of veggies and three servings of fruit per day
- Eating healthy fats like nuts, avocados and olive oil
- Swapping out refined grains with whole grains
According to the Mayo Clinic, you should be performing moderate physical activity up to 300 minutes a week, which works out to about 45 minutes a day.
Keep in mind, however, that even with making healthy decisions and losing weight, there is a possibility that you may retain your double chin. That’s because you cannot reduce fat in a certain part of the body the same way you can tone a muscle in a certain place; your body chooses where the fat is lost.
Additional Double-Chin Solutions
If you find yourself still sporting a double chin despite your best efforts, there are some surgical and nonsurgical options to consider.
Kybella® Injections
This minimally invasive procedure dissolves fat through a series of injections. Kybella® is a synthetic deoxycholic acid that is injected directly into the submental fat over several visits, with 20 to 30 injections per session. The fat dissolves over the course of several weeks, and most patients have some swelling immediately after the treatment. Only a specialist in aesthetic facial injections, such as a plastic surgeon or dermatologist, can perform this procedure.
Submental Liposuction
Using standard or syringe liposuction techniques, the submental fat is directly removed from underneath the skin. In selected patients, this procedure can be performed under local anesthesia alone. To begin the procedure, an anesthetic solution is injected into the areas for fat removal. Then, one small incision under the chin and, at times, two small incisions in back of the earlobe are used for fat removal.
Following the procedure, a supportive garment is used to minimize swelling. Recovery is usually about one week.
Neck Lift
This procedure is commonly described as a lower rhytidectomy or lower facelift. It tightens the skin and supporting deep tissue of the lower face and neck to rejuvenate your facial profile. This procedure is almost always combined with submental liposuction or direct fat removal.
Chin Augmentation
Sometimes, the way the chin projects can contribute to neck fullness and skin sagging. Chin augmentation using a permanent implant increases chin projection and restores facial balance. In some patients, chin augmentation can be accomplished using specialized fillers that function as implants.
If you’re ready to do away with your double chin and are interested in some of these innovative approaches, contact us today for our unique Citron & Citron Complete Consultation.