How to Get Rid of a Double Chin?

A double chin is one of the commonest cosmetic concerns among people of all ages and body types. Also known as submental fat, the excess fat beneath your chin often proves resistant to diet and exercise. It makes people self-conscious about their appearance and can even impact confidence and self-esteem. Read on to learn about the causes of double chin and how to get rid of one to achieve a defined profile and more youthful appearance.

What causes a Double Chin?

Excess weight is the most common cause of double chins but other factors can contribute too.

Weight Gain

When fat starts to accumulate in the body, it may also affect the chin and jaw area. Some people are genetically predisposed to fat accumulation in this area. In case of weight gain, the odds of developing a double chin increase dramatically.

However, even people at a healthy weight may develop a double chin. Factors, such as age, genetics, and lifestyle can contribute to fat storage in the body.

Hyperthyroidism

While uncommon, hyperthyroidism may lead to the development of a double chin. The condition involves excess hormone production by the thyroid gland. It can lead to several effects, including unexplained weight gain. This weight gain may lead to the development of a double chin in some individuals.

How to get rid of a Double Chin effectively?

There are several approaches to eliminate a double chin, from lifestyle changes to medical interventions.

Healthy Lifestyle Changes

Adopting a healthy lifestyle can help you reduce the appearance of a double chin. Here are a few steps you can take:

1. Balanced Diet: Consume whole foods, lean protein, fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats. Cut down processed foods, added sugar, and high-calorie beverages.
2. Exercise: Exercise regularly and include both cardio and strength training in your exercise routine. Your double chin might not disappear with spot reduction but losing overall fat can help.
3. Stay hydrated: Sufficient hydration can improve skin elasticity and help your weight loss efforts.
4. Sleep well: Enough, restful sleep is essential to maintaining healthy body weight. It can also help to relieve stress, which is a common culprit behind weight gain.
5. Good posture: Poor posture can add to the appearance of a double chin. Be mindful of your neck and head position and practice sitting in correct posture, especially if you spend a great deal of time working on computers and mobile devices.

These lifestyle changes can prove useful but some people may require targeted intervention to resolve their double chin concern.

Targeted Liposuction

If you want significant results faster, targeted liposuction can be the answer to your double chin woes. This minimally invasive procedure is performed to remove excess fat from the chin area. It results in a more defined chin and neck profile.

During the procedure, the surgeon will make small incisions and suck out excess fat cells with a thin cannula. The recovery is quick and most people can return to normal activities in a few days.

The advantages of targeted liposuction for double chin include:

• Precise removal of fat
• Lasting results
• Minimal scarring
• Faster recovery

Liposuction works best for individuals with good skin elasticity. In other cases, additional procedures may be required for optimal results.

Deep Neck Lift

If a person has excess skin laxity, thick muscles under the chin, and excess fat, a deep neck lift may be the best solution. The neck lift surgery can help in reducing excess fat, muscle and tightening the submental muscle and skin, giving you a defined jawline and neck.

During the deep neck lift surgery, the surgeon will make small incisions under the chin and behind the ears to remove excess fat. They will also reduce the bulky muscle and tighten the muscles to give you a more youthful appearance. However, the recovery period after a neck surgery is longer than other double chin treatments.

Here are the reasons why many people opt for a neck lift:

• Dramatic improvement in neck and jawline contour
• Lasting results
• Address excess fat as well as loose skin
• Can be combined with other facial rejuvenation treatments

The Myth of Targeted Exercises

Many people believe that targeted facial exercises can help to reduce fat in the submental or double chin area. This is far from the truth.

While facial exercise can tone the neck and jaw muscles, they cannot specifically burn fat in the submental area. There are several factors involved in fat loss with exercise, such as genetics and body composition. This is why you need a comprehensive approach, including overall weight loss and targeted treatments, to double chin reduction.

That said, some exercises can improve your muscle tone and posture, thereby improving your chin and neck appearance. These exercises include:

• Neck rotations
• Tongue presses
• Kiss the sky exercise (tilt your head back and pucker your lips)
• Exercises with a ball (place a small ball under the chin and press down)

Remember that these exercises will not reduce fat or tighten the bulky muscles in the chin area. But they can definitely tone your muscles and improve posture, which can aid other double chin reduction treatments.

Book a consultation to discuss OPtions to get Rid of your Double Chin

Are you considering a treatment to address your double chin? Take the first step by booking a consultation with a qualified, experienced doctor. Dr. Kristina Zakhary holds over 20 years of experience in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. She is one of Calgary's top experts in Facial surgery and has performed over 2500 Facial Cosmetic Surgeries.

During your consultation, your doctor will discuss your needs and goals and recommend suitable treatment options for your specific goals. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to double chin reduction. While one patient may benefit most from a surgical procedure, another may only need cryolipolysis.

Your doctor will prepare a customized treatment plan for you based on the following factors:

• Amount of excess fat
• Overall skin elasticity
• Your medical history
• Overall health
• Your goals and preferences

A double chin can be frustrating but several effective treatments are now available, from injections to advanced surgery. Take the first step towards a more contoured chin and neck, and a more youthful appearance, by consulting a skilled, experienced doctor like Dr. Zakhary, who specializes in facial cosmetic treatments.