How Can I Get Rid of My Double Chin?

There are many things you can do to get rid of a double chin. Click here to explore both non-surgical and surgical options.

January 10, 2023

5 min read

Woman with double chin

Over 15 million people each year turn to cosmetic surgery to turn back the clock on their appearance.

One thing that can really bother people is their double chin. It can be especially apparent in selfies and video conferencing. This is something that bothers both men and women of all ages. 

If you are looking for more information on how to get rid of a double chin, you’ve come to the right place. We cover everything you need to know about how to fix a double chin in our article below.

Why does a double chin happen?

The way our chin looks is a factor of several things: the fat layer, the skin layer and the muscle layer underneath. Let’s talk about the fat layer first.

For many people with a double chin, the fat layer is enlarged. This may be due to overall body fat, genetic predisposition or both.

The skin layer is another important consideration. Our skin is made up of two layers: the epidermis (top layer) and the dermis (bottom layer). As a person ages, the skin in these areas becomes thinner, drier, more fragile, and less elastic. This causes the neck skin to sag and make a double chin more prominent. 

Lastly, a commonly overlooked cause of neck issues is the muscle layer, called the platysma, which lies underneath the skin and fat. Like the skin, the platysma muscle also sags and the left and the right sides can drift apart, causing the up-and-down bands that you can see in older necks. 

Your double chin may be due to one, two or all three of the factors above. A plastic surgeon can evaluate which of these issues pertain to you. 

Non-Surgical Options

Thanks to modern technology, going under the knife isn’t the only way that you can lessen the appearance of your double chin. Several non-surgical options can also help.

Kybella

Kybella is a new injectable treatment that can help get rid of a fatty double chin. It’s made up of deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring molecule that permanently breaks down fat cells. 

The treatment itself is simple. You will get a series of injections under your chin to target the fat cells. Kybella injections only take about 15 minutes to administer.

There is minimal downtime after each Kybella treatment. You may have some swelling afterwards and most people see results in four to eight weeks.

The great thing is: Kybella is permanent, not just a quick fix. It is common to repeat the treatment once, twice or several times over a period of months in order to get the best results. This is one of the most popular options of getting a contoured jawline without going under the knife. 

Ultherapy

If you’re looking for a non-invasive option for skin tightening, Ultherapy could be for you. This procedure uses ultrasound technology to stimulate collagen deep within the skin tissue.

This procedure is fast, effective, and requires no downtime. You may be able to see skin tightening results on your neck after the first treatment.

CoolSculpting

Most people think that this Coolsculpting is only for the body, but you can also use it to melt the fat in your chin, too. This treatment freezes fat and kills off the cells, leaving a toned and defined chin.

This treatment is fast and minimally invasive. You won’t need any recovery time after your CoolSculpting session. Like all minimally invasive options, though, it may take several treatments to achieve optimal results.

Surgical Options

If you’re unhappy with the appearance of your double chin, you should also keep in mind surgical options as well. There are a few different procedures that can be used to correct these issues, and your choice will depend on your specific goals and concerns.

Liposuction

The most common surgical option to remove a double chin is liposuction. This procedure involves removing unwanted fat from the neck area. Liposuction is often combined with other procedures to achieve optimal results.

During this procedure, your plastic surgeon will make tiny incisions and use cannulas to remove fat from under your chin, and maybe the jaw and neck. The surgeon will then use sutures to close the incisions. 

Neck Lift

A neck lift is a surgical procedure that tightens and firms the skin and underlying tissue of the neck. This procedure can take care of both extra fat and skin. You can also use this procedure to correct wrinkles too. 

Many people have neck lifts with other procedures, such as facelifts or eye lifts. Because this combination of treatments targets more than one area of aging skin, the overall result will make you look more youthful.

To start, the surgeon makes a small incision behind the ears and underneath the chin area. The skin of the jawline and neck is then tightened. Your plastic surgeon may also remove fat from under the chin to create more definition there.

Once your plastic surgeon has tightened, contoured, draped, and trimmed the area, they will close the incision with small, cosmetic sutures.

Initially, you’ll have some swelling and bruising after a neck lift. You’ll have full results after several weeks to months post your procedure. After you have healed, the incisions are hardly noticeable since they are usually hidden in your hairline.

Facelift

Getting a facelift involves removing excess drooping and skin and, sometimes also repositioning the layer just above the facial muscles, to achieve a younger look. The goal of this surgery is to remove signs of aging from your face without creating a tight appearance.

During a facelift, your surgeon will start by making a small incision in front of your ears. This incision will follow your natural facial curve down behind your earlobe. Excess fat in the chin area can be suctioned or trimmed to improve the shape of the face.

There is a layer just above your facial muscles called the SMAS layer. It stands for “superficial musculo-aponeurotic system”. Your surgeon may decide to lift that area, in addition to the skin. The skin is then re-draped and excess skin is removed. Finally, the incisions get closed up and the surgery is complete.

It takes about two to three weeks for your face to heal from surgery before you can return to work after a facelift. The recovery process is worth it, though, because facelift results will last for years.

Woman before facelift plastic surgery
Before Facelift
woman after facelift plastic surgery
After Facelift

Say Goodbye to Your Double Chin 

A double chin is surprisingly easy to treat. With the right procedure, you can achieve a smoother neckline without any signs of plastic surgery. Feel better about how you look in photos or during a video call. It can restore your youthfulness and confidence.

If you are ready to get rid of your double chin, Advanced Institute for Plastic Surgery can help! Our board-certified plastic surgeons are experts in cosmetic surgery.

Take the first step at a more youthful you and request a consultation today.

Filed under:

Share this


Discover how plastic surgery can change your life

Schedule an appointment with our board certified plastic surgeons

Request a Consultation


Related Articles