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Many of my patients express frustration about their double chin, especially when photos from certain angles highlight the issue. Despite their best efforts with diet and exercise, the area beneath the chin often remains unchanged.
A double chin is a common concern that can be addressed with the right approach. The best treatment depends on the underlying cause. I am Dr. Jeffrey Antimarino, of Bellissimo Plastic Surgery and Medi Spa. In this article, I will explain how to get rid of a double chin, starting with its causes, reviewing both surgical and non-surgical treatment options, and guiding you in choosing the most suitable option for your goals.
What Causes a Double Chin?
A double chin is generally due to one of a few causes, and many patients have more than one.
By far, the most common cause of a double chin is fullness beneath the chin. This type of fat is often resistant to diet and exercise. Genetics and individual fat distribution largely determine where the body stores fat, which means that even people who lead healthy lifestyles may still notice persistent fullness under the chin.
The second most common issue is loose skin. When skin loses its elasticity due to aging or substantial weight loss, it can hang below the jawline and down the neck. This is something that many patients experience, having lost weight as a result of using GLP-1 medications.
The third factor is chin projection. In some people, the chin sits further back, which can create the illusion of extra fullness below the chin, even when there is not significant excess fat.
The first step in selecting the appropriate treatment is to determine which of these features are present and in what combination.
Is It Possible to Get Rid of My Double Chin Without Having Surgery?
Many patients initially hope that double chin exercises will eliminate the problem. However, targeted fat loss, often called “spot reduction,” is not possible through exercise. Likewise, facial exercises and topical creams cannot remove fullness beneath the chin or restore skin elasticity.
There are non-surgical treatments available, but it is essential to understand what each option can and cannot achieve.
Non-Surgical Fat Reduction and Skin Tightening
When the concern is mild fullness or early skin laxity, non-surgical devices can improve the contour of the jawline and neck without incisions or downtime.
Onda Pro is the device I use for non-surgical fat reduction. It uses Coolwaves, a microwave-based technology that bypasses the skin’s surface and delivers controlled heat to the tissue where fat cells are located. The body gradually processes and eliminates the treated fat cells, and the same energy stimulates collagen to firm mild laxity. Most patients benefit from two to three treatments spaced three to five weeks apart, with no required downtime.
Non-surgical devices are best suited to mild to moderate refinement. When significant fullness beneath the chin is the cause, LipoAI or chin liposuction is the better choice.
Why Kybella for Double Chin Is No Longer the Best Choice
Kybella is an injectable drug that uses deoxycholic acid to eliminate small fat deposits and, for many years, was one of the most well-known non-surgical methods for removing a double chin. I stopped using it at Bellissimo. As I have previously stated, “Kybella is outdated and limited with its results when compared to other treatment modalities we carry at Bellissimo.”
Kybella treatments may cause excessive swelling and discomfort, and usually need several sessions to achieve the desired outcome. It is also not advised to use Kybella for the purpose of contouring and defining the jawline. When people weigh Kybella vs. chin lipo, the alternative I now offer is LipoAI, which I explain below. I have also provided more details on why I chose LipoAI over Kybella.
Surgical Options for Getting Rid of a Double Chin
If the main concern is excess fat or loose skin, plastic surgery to remove a double chin offers more reliable, longer-lasting results than non-surgical treatment. In my practice, I offer three highly effective options for double-chin surgery: traditional chin liposuction, LipoAI, and a neck lift.
Chin Liposuction
Chin liposuction, which is known as submental liposuction, involves the removal of excess fat from under the chin and along the jawline by means of small incisions. It is a procedure designed to improve contours, not to lose weight. The most suitable candidates are healthy individuals who have areas of fat that have not been reduced by diet and exercise. It is also important to have good skin elasticity, as this enables the skin to settle smoothly after fat has been removed.
Laser Chin Lipo With LipoAI
For many patients, my preferred approach to chin lipo is with LipoAI. It is an advanced, laser-assisted device in my office. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia with oral medication for comfort, so general anesthesia is not required.
Through a tiny incision just under the chin, I treat the area from one side of the jawline to the other, extending down to the neck. Using a thin fiber-optic laser, I break up the fat before gently removing it. Because the incision is so small, stitches are not necessary.
LipoAI’s unique advantage is its smart feedback system, which continuously monitors tissue temperature and energy delivery and automatically adjusts to protect surrounding tissue. The laser’s heat also stimulates collagen, tightening the skin as it heals. For patients considering laser lipo for a double chin, this technology delivers a more defined jawline and creates a sharper chin profile.
Neck Lift
If the problem involves loose skin or muscle bands, removing the fat alone will not yield great results. A neck lift addresses the area below the chin and along the jawline by eliminating loose skin, fat deposits, and muscle bands. I perform the procedure on an outpatient basis using either IV sedation or general anesthesia, and the procedure requires about two hours. The incisions are made following the natural contours of the ears and the hairline, and the results usually remain for about six to ten years.
Can Chin Implants Fix a Double Chin?
Some patients ask if a chin implant is the answer to a recessed chin. In my experience, I no longer recommend chin implants, as they can shift over time and may cause discomfort or pain. Instead, for those needing just a slight increase in projection, I prefer fat grafting or dermal fillers. Frequently, simply removing excess fat under the chin is enough to restore definition and balance to the face.
Chin Lipo vs. Neck Lift: How to Decide Which Procedure You Need
When deciding between a chin lipo and a neck lift, you should consider two things: your appearance goals and your skin condition.
Chin lipo is the appropriate choice when the main concern is fat, and your skin still has the elasticity to contract smoothly after the fat is removed; it is suitable for people who want a more defined jawline and require only minimal downtime.
A neck lift is the appropriate choice when there is loose skin or noticeable banding in the neck, because removing fat alone is not sufficient to address considerable laxity, a neck lift will provide a more comprehensive result.
A few patients fall into the middle group. During the consultation, I examine and feel your skin and the tissue beneath it while you look in the mirror, and then we discuss your goals. The only way to find out which procedure will give you the result you want is through this examination.
How Much Does Chin Lipo Cost?
The cost of chin lipo depends on several factors, including the technique used, the size of the area treated, and whether it is combined with other procedures. A precise estimate can only be given after an in-person assessment, since what appears to be a straightforward case may require a different approach. After your consultation, my patient care coordinator will review the full fee schedule with you. With complimentary consultations, you can explore your options without any commitment.
What Recovery Looks Like?
One of the key distinctions between the various options is recovery.
Chin Lipo Recovery With LipoAI
Patients leave the office shortly after a LipoAI procedure and require very minimal downtime. Most are able to return to light daily activity immediately and start exercising within about 1 to 2 weeks. After the procedure, a chin strap is worn continuously for the first several days in order to minimize swelling and to support the new shape. Then it is worn while at home and at night for approximately two weeks.
Neck Lift Recovery
After your neck lift, you return home the same day wearing a chin strap, which I recommend you keep on for about two weeks. This garment supports the tissue, improves circulation, and promotes healing to achieve optimal contour. Most patients need two to three weeks off work, and I advise avoiding exercise, housework, and heavy lifting for three weeks to ensure the best recovery.
Choosing the Right Approach for Your Double Chin
The most effective treatment targets the underlying cause of your double chin. For mild fullness or skin laxity, non-surgical options like Onda Pro or Everesse can refine the area without surgery. If excess fat is the main issue, chin lipo with LipoAI removes fat in a single procedure and tightens the skin. When loose skin or neck banding is present, a neck lift offers the most comprehensive correction. For those needing extra chin projection, fat grafting or dermal fillers can add definition.
Combining treatments often produces the most natural and well-defined jawline and neck. My approach is always to select and tailor the right solution for each patient’s unique concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions About Double Chin Removal
How much is chin lipo?
Can exercises get rid of a double chin?
Is chin lipo permanent?
Is chin lipo safe?
Does chin lipo hurt?
Schedule a Double Chin Consultation
Getting rid of a double chin starts with understanding what is causing it. Chin lipo removes fat, a neck lift corrects loose skin and banding, and non-surgical devices refine mild fullness and early laxity. Exercise and creams cannot change the area beneath the chin, but the right treatment can.
At Bellissimo, my Pittsburgh plastic surgery practice with offices in Shadyside and Monroeville, I will help you understand which option fits your goals. Schedule a consultation to start the conversation.
