Is it possible to get rid of a double chin?
The double chin – or submental region – is a prime site for stubborn fat, but contrary to popular belief, it’s not always a result of being overweight: sometimes, it’s just genetic. A smooth, crisp jawline is a sign of youth and vitality, and until more recently, the best way to tackle the stubborn fat in this region was liposuction under the chin or a face-lift. But modern-day technologies are much more advanced, and there are now several non-invasive options for effectively reducing fat under the chin without surgery or downtime. So, if a double chin is a concern of yours, here is everything you need to know about tackling it for good.
What causes a double chin?
Whilst a double chin can be related to carrying excess body fat, it’s possible to be a very normal, healthy weight and have a double chin. Everyone has different fat distributions, which are determined genetically and during our development in puberty. For some people, one of these fat pads sits underneath the chin. Another contributing factor can be having a small chin and jawbone, which can mean that the fat underneath the chin doesn’t have much support and so looks like a double chin. Your posture is another contributing factor – a poor posture can weaken your neck muscle and overtime, this may cause a double chin.
CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting’s innovative ‘CoolMini’ applicator has revolutionised our approach to tackling a double chin. The simple procedure targets double chin fat under the jawline to remodel and reduce the fat pad using a freezing technology called cryolipolysis to strategically crystalise and break down targeted fat cells before flushing them out of the body over the next twelve weeks. Results can be seen in as little as eight weeks, and post-treatment, you’ll look more youthful, and your face will appear slimmer, tighter, and rejuvenated. Once the fat is reduced, we can also use another revolutionary technology like Sofwave or the Profound RF to tighten the skin, or facial fillers can be used to refine and contour the jawline.
Belkyra
Belkyra is a stealthy fat-busting solution which works behind the scenes to break down stubborn fat bulges and sculpt a smoother-looking jawline. In treatment, we will start by marking the area before injecting the deoxycholic acid-based solution directly into the fatty pocket. This emulsifies the fat cells, forcing them to gradually dissolve and disappear over the following weeks. Two to three sessions are usually required for the best outcome, approximately six weeks apart.
Expect a less prominent double chin and a defined lower face following your sessions.
Facial fillers
Fillers work well in conjunction with both fat-busting solutions. As we age, there is some bone resorption that can cause us to lose the angles in our jawline. With less bone to hang on to, the tissues that were being held in place begin to descend forwards; the chin shrinks, and the jawline is less angular. By carefully injecting filler close to the bone, we can replace volume and definition, creating a more youthful jawline.
Which fat reduction treatment is right for me?
Both treatments can produce excellent results in the right candidate. CoolSculpting has been shown to achieve up to a 27 per cent reduction in subcutaneous fat in the treated area and is considered the safest and most effective fat reduction treatment on the market. And studies have shown that Belkyra patients can maintain a meaningful reduction of fat after two years.
In most cases, we likely will treat a double chin with Belkyra when there isn’t enough pinchable fat in the area for the CoolSculpting applicator. CoolSculpting involves considerably less downtime than Belkyra and usually requires fewer treatment sessions, so it can be more cost-effective.
And the good news is that both treatments are theoretically permanent. When you lose weight through exercise and healthy eating, your fat cells shrink – when you gain weight, they expand. But with both Belkyra and CoolSculpting, fat cells are eliminated, which is a lasting change.
If you’d like to find out more about fat reduction treatments, click here to book a consultation.
Disclaimer: Please be aware that results and benefits may vary from patient to patient taking into consideration factors such as age, lifestyle and medical history.
