Double Chin Reduction Treatments – Results & FAQs

Overview | Treatment Methods | Natural Treatments | Treatment Results | Treatment Risks

A double chin is a natural part of aging. It could also occur due to a sudden weight gain. There may be other causes too. A double chin is also referred to as submental fat. I understand a lot of my patients have concerns about the unsightly appearance of a double chin. It does impact their confidence and they seek out effective double chin treatment options that will give permanent results. There are many exercises that you can do to tone up the jawline; however, these would not help in getting rid of the double chin completely and you would need the touch of an experienced dermatologist to provide you with the desired results. 

Today, I would like to take you through some fabulous options for double chin reduction. I will provide an overview of the main treatment options as well as answer some questions that my patients often ask me in-clinic. So, if you have always been wondering what you can do about that double chin that has been bothering you, this article is just for you. 

What are the important double chin reduction treatment methods?

If you look in the mirror and wish to get rid of your double chin, you are not alone. A survey conducted by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery showed that around 68% of people questioned felt unhappy with their double chin. I will take you through the most common methods of double chin treatment and give you a brief overview of the steps for each. 

Some of the most common double chin reduction methods are:

1. Mesotherapy – Mesotherapy is a technique that uses injections of hormones, enzymes, plant extracts, and vitamins to tighten the loose skin and remove the fat. It can also be used to treat alopecia and cellulite.  Mesotherapy is a technique of delivering substances into the middle layer of the skin. The substance could be either a cocktail of infusions to reduce subcutaneous fat and also to help tighten the skin.
   As part of the procedure, the doctor first numbs the area to be treated. Post that, a series of injections are administered with a needle that is short. This needle may be connected to a gun device to deliver more injections together. I use the revolutionary advanced MCT injector gun, which allows a precise depth of the injection and is also less painful for the patient. Depending on your requirements, you will need several sessions to see results. Your sessions may be spaced a week or two apart. There may be slight side-effects that can include a bit of swelling, redness, and bumps at the treatment spot. There is usually no downtime after the treatment and you can return to your routine immediately. Some patients opt to take a day off and relax after the procedure.
   Mesotherapy is considered a non-surgical treatment for fat reduction. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that each practitioner’s mix of effective ingredients for mesotherapy will differ so I do always recommend that you go to a reputed dermatologist for the treatment.
2. Liposculpture – Liposculpture is a surgical treatment that helps get rid of small pockets of fat in the body. It can work on certain targeted areas. Liposculpture is suited to younger skin. It will not work on patients who have sagging skin due to age-factors or on those who are suffering from obesity-related issues. While this method is commonly used for the chin, it can also target the back and the abdomen. There are three main types of liposculpture. These are power, laser, and ultrasound-based.
   During the liposculpture procedure, the dermatologist will numb the area to be treated. After this, they will make a very small incision and use a tiny tube to remove the excess fat. Most patients get local anesthesia but sometimes general anesthesia is given if the area to be treated is larger. There is a bit of downtime. The dermatologist might recommend that you take at least seven days off after the procedure. You would need to rest at home, walk a bit to prevent blood clots, and avoid any kind of heavy exercise. One treatment session suffices to give the desired results. I would like to note here that the results of liposculpture will only last if the treatment is maintained by a healthy diet and lifestyle.
3. Coolsculpting – Coolsculpting is a process of fat reduction that uses fat-freezing to kill fat cells in the body. This procedure is also known as cryolipolysis. It is a scientifically proven fact that fat cells do not like cold temperatures. When these cells freeze, the body gets rid of them the natural way. This can lead to an almost 25% reduction in fat in targeted areas.
   During the treatment process, a gel pad is placed on the area that is to be treated. Following this, the applicator device is started. The patient may feel a variety of sensations that can range from tugging to pulling and even cramping. The area goes numb after a while and these sensations stop. The overall procedure is quite relaxed and you can do any other activity like surfing the Internet or reading a magazine during the process. Depending on your fat loss goals, the doctor will let you know how many sessions are needed.
   The Baltimore Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Center, USA urges patients to understand that CoolSculpting is not a weight-loss procedure; it merely helps to shape and tone the body for people who are already at their ideal weight. Moreover, CoolScuplting has been approved by the US FDA. It involves minimal downtime and no surgery. Till date, approximately 5 million CoolSculpting treatment cycles have been performed across the globe.
4. Kybella – Kybella is an FDA-approved treatment that has been designed to exclusively target the fat cells under the chin. The actual procedure of treatment consists of several small injections of digestive acids that are administered in the targeted areas. These injections help to break down fat and let it be absorbed naturally by the body. Each session takes around 15 to 20 minutes. The number of sessions and injections that you need will depend on your double chin reduction goals. Most patients do not receive more than six sessions. The results should be seen in around two or three months.
   Kybella is very effective and has only minor side-effects like slight numbness and bruising. You should inform your doctor of any pre-existing medical conditions, prior cosmetic surgeries, and if you are pregnant. While there are no known effects of Kybella on pregnancy, it is always better that you seek treatment only after sharing complete knowledge of your medical history with the dermatologist.

I urge you to remember that each of these treatments will vary in their results from patient to patient. Your dermatologist will advise you on which procedure suits you best and what kind of results you can expect to see. 

What are the main causes behind developing a double chin?

This is one of the most common questions that I get asked by my patients. To be honest, there are many reasons why a patient may develop a double chin. The most common ones are weakening of muscles and sagging skin that arises due to aging, the position of the airway, and weight gain. In addition to these, Johns Hopkins Medicine also notes that a double chin can be the result of genes. In fact, it is a common misconception that excess weight is the only cause of a double chin. 

What are some natural treatments to reduce or get rid of a double chin?

The good news is that there are many things that you can do to get rid of a double chin the natural way. Let’s take a look at some natural double chin reduction methods that actually work:

1. Exercises for double chin – Just like exercises can tone up your body, they can tone your double-chin too. There are many stretch exercises for the jaw and chin as well as ball exercises that can work to reduce your double chin. The Internet is filled with many exercises as well as accompanying videos, so you can do whichever you feel comfortable with. Do note that for any exercise to show significant results, you must pursue it for a long period. Doing it just for a few days will have no real effect.
2. Diet remedies for double chin – One of the best ways to keep your double chin in shape is by keeping your weight in control. This can be done by following a healthy diet. I encourage my patients to eat a wholesome diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Do cut down on junk food. I am not saying you need to give up junk food; limit your intake to a single cheat day. In addition to this, try to reduce your portions when serving meals. Make sure to eat more frequent meals with smaller servings. Finally, stay hydrated with plenty of water.

When should you go and consult a dermatologist for a double chin?

If a regime of diet and exercise does not seem to be helping with the reduction of your double chin, you would need to consult a dermatologist for surgical and non-surgical options for double chin treatment. Quite often, if your double chin has been caused due to genetic factors, you might have a hard time losing this fat the natural way. I encourage you to try out exercise and diet for at least a few months before giving up, as these methods take time to show their true results. 

What results can I expect after the double chin treatment?

The results of the double chin treatment really depend on the type of treatment you opt for. For example, mesotherapy requires several sessions and results show in a couple of months. Liposculpture results start showing immediately after the surgery but take full effect only six months later. CoolSculpting results develop within a few weeks after the surgery. This time frame can vary between patients. Kybella shows its initial results around three months after the first round of treatment. The final results take about six months to become apparent. 

I want to remind you that these results are only a general overview of what can be expected. Your own outcome may be different. I encourage you to talk to your dermatologist to find out how uniquely will your body respond to the treatment. 

Are there any risks involved with these double chin reduction treatments?

If you seek a double chin treatment from a qualified dermatologist, there should not be any risk or cause for problems. Still, some of the treatments have very minor risks that you should be aware of. For instance, mesotherapy may be accompanied by nausea, rash, bumps, and bruising. Liposculpture may have blood clots, scarring, infection, and bleeding. CoolSculpting may see the patient have stinging, aching, skin sensitivity, and bruising. Kybella may result in bruising and numbness. Your dermatologist will advise you on the side-effects and what you can expect. 

What are some steps to avoid developing a double chin?

In order to maintain the results of your double chin treatment, it is important that you maintain your body weight. Any fluctuations there can see you regain weight and lose the efficacy of your treatment. 

Closing thoughts

Having a double chin can impact your confidence. It may stop you from feeling beautiful on the outside. I am here to tell you that with so many advancements in technology, you can now avail of effective surgical and non-surgical remedies to get rid of the double chin. So, without further delay do consult a dermatologist immediately for the best double chin reduction treatment suited to you. 

References

1. American Academy of Dermatology – https://www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/fat-removal/cellulite-treatments-what-really-works
2. Baltimore Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Center, USA – https://baltimoreplasticsurgery.com/coolsculpting-top-tips-precise-guide-expert-baltimore-plastic-surgeon/
3. Johns Hopkins Medicine – https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/double-chin-surgery-what-you-need-to-know