What Can I Do About My Double Chin?

We need a certain amount of fat stored in the body, but we tend to not like too much. Usually, when we talk about the problems that excess fat causes, we’re talking about areas of the body like the thighs, the back, the stomach, and the hips. It isn’t often that we hear people talk about their concerns at having a double chin. Until recently, there wasn’t much discussion about this at all. Many people may not even realize there are ways to get rid of a double chin for good. We want to discuss here how we help patients do that.

A double chin is referred to as submental fullness. This type of excess fat can be particularly difficult because it may have very little to do with overall weight. Some people are simply prone to holding more fat under the chin. Also, there aren’t exercises that can tone the area under the chin. There is very little muscle here to tone, anyway, which leaves people confused about what to do. There are two suitable options: Kybella and liposuction.

Kybella for a Double Chin

Kybella is an injectable treatment that had been widely tested and used in several countries before it was granted FDA-approval. This product works by inserting deoxycholic acid into the subcutaneous space. Deoxycholic acid supports digestion by breaking down dietary fat. When injected into a small area of unwanted fat, like the double chin, deoxycholic acid dissolves fat cell membranes and stimulates the elimination of fat through the lymph.

What to know: Kybella is a convenient, nonsurgical treatment. However, some people like to schedule a few days of downtime after their injections. This is because significant swelling can occur until the deoxycholic acid gets absorbed by fat cells. While results can be permanent, it may be necessary to undergo a few rounds of injections to achieve the desired extent of improvement.

Liposuction for a Double Chin

Many people know liposuction as the surgical method of reducing unwanted fat. The misconception is that liposuction is far larger areas like the abdomen or the thighs. However, this technique can be ideal for areas like the chin as well. Chin liposuction can often be performed in the office using a local anesthetic. Tiny incisions are needed to insert the small hollow tube that suctions away fat cells. These typically become virtually unnoticeable over time.

What to know: A few days of downtime are needed after chin liposuction. A compression strap may be worn for 1 to 2 days to help swelling subside. After this time, many patients are able to return to work with minimal swelling and bruising.  

It isn’t too much to ask for a sculpted jawline. If you’re ready to get rid of your double chin for good, schedule a consultation in our Salem, OR office to discuss your options.