You Don’t Need Surgery to Eliminate Your Double Chin

There are many different reasons you may have a “double chin,” which can cause you to feel self-conscious about your neck or face. This blog examines the causes of double chin and presents a non-surgical option for treatment.

Why Do I Have a Double Chin?

Submental fullness, also known as a double chin, may be caused by a number of factors that may act alone or in combination with each other. Some people’s body type is such that it stores fat under the chin; this is usually determined by genetics and can often be seen in members of a family over multiple generations. While some only get a double chin when they have gained weight, others can have a double chin even when they are physically fit. In these cases, the double chin is resistant to dietary changes, exercise, and weight loss. Additionally, some people experience a loss of elasticity in their skin over time as a natural consequence of aging, which contributes to sagging skin in the neck or throat area. If you have a double chin, you may have excess fat or sagging skin, or both.

How Can I Get Rid of My Double Chin?

While there are surgical options, such as a neck lift, to treat submental fullness, many patients are able to change their chin profile with non-surgical options. Ultrasound or freezing treatments can break up some of the fat tissue, but these procedures may require follow-up maintenance sessions (i.e., the changes are not permanent).

However, there is now a permanent, non-surgical option available to patients who seek to eliminate their double chin called Kybella. It is an injectable treatment that contains deoxycholic acid, which is naturally produced in the human digestive system. Deoxycholic acid is involved in the breakdown of fat molecules, and when injected under the chin, it breaks down fat cells. Because it does not target other types of molecules, it does not damage the surrounding tissue. The fragments of the destroyed cells are reabsorbed through the natural processes of the body. The best part is that the changes you experience through your Kybella treatments are permanent!

What will my Kybella treatment be like?

A Kybella treatment consists of a set of small injections over a certain area under your chin. Your plastic surgeon will examine the natural contours of your face and jaw to determine exact location and pattern of injections to enhance the appearance of your chin and then mark your skin accordingly. A numbing agent maximizes the comfort of the treatment. You may experience some burning sensation during and after the treatment, but most patients describe it as minimal and more comfortable than they expected.

While there may be some minor swelling and bruising post treatment, it is significantly less bruising than would occur after a surgical procedure, such as liposuction. In fact, patients who have had Kybella indicate that they have no downtime at all. Within a few weeks, you will begin to notice reduced fullness in your chin. Most patients achieve their desired chin profile with only a few Kybella treatments, and the results are totally permanent!

Call us today at (562) 448-6100 to schedule your consult and take the first step towards getting rid of your double chin!