Double chin is a common aesthetic concern that is caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, weight gain, ageing, or reduced skin elasticity. A number of surgical and non-surgical options are available to correct the double chin depending on the severity of the condition, quality of skin, and preferences.
In this blog post, let us explore the differences between the surgical and non-surgical double chin treatments to help you decide the suitable treatment option for you!
Understanding Double Chin
Double chin, also known as submental fat affects people of all ages and body types. It is caused by the accumulation of excess skin, fat, or both in the upper regions of the neck.
The common causes of a double chin include
- Aging: Due to aging, the skin starts losing elasticity which may lead to sagging skin and development of a double chin
- Genetics: Some people may naturally store more fat in the chin especially if you have a family history of double chins
- Diet: Consuming a diet high in unhealthy fats and processed foods may lead to weight gain and fat accumulation
- Physical inactivity: Lack of regular exercise may contribute to weight gain and muscle laxity that may develop double chin
- Underlying medical conditions: Certain medical conditions and hormonal changes may contribute to double chin.
- Consumption of smoking and alcohol: These habits may lead to skin aging and a loss of skin elasticity may contribute to a double chin.
Double chin can be corrected by non-surgical and surgical treatment options
Non-surgical Options For Double Chin Correction
Non-surgical treatments are ideal for people with mild to moderate submental fat and relatively good skin elasticity.
- Deoxycholic Acid Injections
Deoxycholic acid is a substance found in the gall bladder and is recently used as an injectable treatment for a double chin.It is one of the few non-surgical options that is available to reduce excess fat under the chin.
Kybella is an FDA approved injection used for correcting double chin.
How it works:
It is injected into the skin beneath the chin that breaks down fat cells under the chin. You may require several injections over several weeks.
- CoolSculpting (Cryolipolysis)
Coolsculpting is a non-invasive procedure that targets the localized fat under the chin, usually controlled cooling.
How it works:
During the cool sculpting procedure, a vacuum-pressured device sucks the skin and fat into a suction cup which is then exposed to extremely cold temperatures to break down the fat cells under the chin. THe area is massaged once the vacuum applicator is removed.
Surgical Options For Double Chin Correction
One of the options to reduce or correct double chin is through surgery. The three common types of surgical options of double chin correction available are
- Chin Liposuction
Chin liposuction is a common surgical procedure that involves the removal of fat from beneath the skin. It is often performed under local anaesthesia to numb the affected area
How it works:
A small incision is made by the surgeon under the chin near the ear lobe and a small tube, called cannula, is inserted into a small incision. It is used to gently suction out fat deposits.
The surgeon will also sculpt and contour the chin and neck to reshape the jawline. The incisions are closed with sutures which may be removed after seven days.
- Neck Lift Surgery
Neck lifts are recommended for patients with double chin caused due to loss of elasticity. It often is performed under local and general anaesthesia and requires 14 days of recovery time after the procedure.
It may include cervicoplasty to remove extra skin from around the neck and chin and platysmaplasty that helps to tighten neck muscles.
How it works:
- The surgeon will give anaesthesia and make tiny incisions around the ears and under the chin.
- The extra fat under the chin or neck is removed. The loose neck muscles are pulled tighter and stitched together reducing a double chin appearance. The small cuts are closed with sutures.
- Facelift
A facelift is primarily designed to tighten the lower face and neck and makes it highly effective for addressing double chin, especially caused by sagging skin, muscle laxity, and fat accumulation.
How it works:
- The cosmetic surgeon places the patient under the general anaesthesia but sometimes you may be placed under local anaesthesia.
- The surgeon will make incisions and remove the fat and saggy skin around the chin and neck area.
Some doctors may combine more than one procedure as needed to remove the double chin completely. The recovery time for these surgeries is usually around 10-14 days. You may experience bruising or swelling immediately after the surgery that may resolve with time.
Surgical Vs Non-surgical Double Chin Correction
| Surgical option | Non-surgical option | |
| Common procedures | Chin liposuction, facelift, neck lift | Deoxycholic acid injection, Coolsculpting |
| Invasiveness | Invasive (requires incisions, anaesthesia) | Non-invasive or minimally invasive |
| Recovery time | Shorter recovery time | Longer recovery time |
| Results | Immediate | Gradual |
| Number of sessions | Usually one surgery | Multiple sessions depending on the method |
| Suitability | Especially popular for moderate to severe cases | Suitable for mild to moderate cases |
| Expensive | Usually expensive up front and requires only one session | May be cheap compared to surgery but requires multiple treatments |
Table: Comparison between surgical and non-surgical double chin correction
Which Procedure Is Suitable For You?
The choice between surgical and non-surgical options may depend on the skin elasticity, amount of fat in the double chin and the preferences. The patients with good skin elasticity may prefer non-surgical options while those with sagging may require energy.
The patients with mild to moderate fat in the double chin may benefit from non-surgical options while the surgical options may provide better results for severe cases.
Also, surgical options offer long-lasting results but require a long recovery period while non-surgical options offer faster recovery time. However, it is preferable to consult your cosmetic surgeon to determine if a surgical or non-surgical option is suitable for you.
Conclusion
A double chin can be corrected using surgical or non-surgical options depending on the age, skin quality, amount of fat, and budget. Surgical options offer long-lasting, noticeable results, especially for those with significant skin laxity. Non-surgical options offer gradual results with little recovery period.
Dr. Sunil Arora at ALCS Clinic, Jaipur offers personalized care with thorough consultations that may help choose the best option for correcting double chin based on the patient’s overall health.
If you are considering double chin treatment in Jaipur, you may book a consultation with ALCS Clinic for expert guidancee of action.
FAQs / People Also Ask:
Yes, many double chin correction procedures can be combined to lead long-lasting, better, and more natural-looking results. It helps in addressing fat, loose skin, and weak structure more effectively. The common combinations done are liposuction with a neck lift, neck lift with a facelift, and kybella with skin tightening.
Scientific evidence to prove that exercises that work for reducing double chin is scarce. It may improve the muscle tone but won’t remove a significant fat deposit. Exercises, including chin to ceiling, lion’s roar, or cheek swishing are performed to tone the jawline.
The results from the double chin removal may be permanent and long-lasting especially with chin liposuction or neck lift. However, weight gain, ageing, or skin laxity over time may affect results. Non-surgical treatments may require maintenance sessions to sustain results.
