What Causes a Double Chin and How Do You Get Rid of it?

A double chin, also known as submental fat, is when excess fat in the chin area creates the appearance of a second layer of fat under the chin.  

The overall effect is to create an appearance of fullness or heaviness under the chin and reduce jawline definition.  

It can be difficult to get rid of a double chin through diet and exercise alone, so many people opt to undergo surgical and on surgical double chin treatments. 

The most common cause of a double chin and neck fat is substantial weight gain and this physical trait is often associated with obesity. A diet high in calories and fat can contribute to a double chin and cause neck fat. 

The condition is also caused by the ageing process, when the skin loses its elasticity, causing facial features and neck fat deposits to sag.  

Genetics can also play a part, as you are most likely to develop one if there is a family history of double or elastic chins. There is an inherited distribution of increased fat in the pocket under the skin and at a deeper level under the platysma muscle of the neck. This might make you more sensitive to weight gain and age-related skin laxity in this area.  

Other lifestyle factors such as sun exposure can speed up the ageing process, and can also contribute to the appearance of a double chin. Unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as smoking or a poor diet, can also make a person more susceptible to premature ageing and the appearance of a double chin. 

The individual makeup of a person’s anatomy is equally important in the appearance of a double chin, particularly the level of the insertion of the muscles of the floor of the mouth into the hyoid bone, which supports the windpipe (trachea) at the level of the vocal cords. If this level is high, there is a sharp angle between the chin and the neck. If it is low, then the angle disappears and definition is elusive however much neck fat is removed. 

Some experts believe that poor posture could even contribute to the appearance of a double chin. 

It is estimated that as many as 70 percent of the adult population have a double chin, due to one or more of the above factors. 

Exercise is an excellent first step when trying to get rid of a double chin, particularly when set alongside comprehensive lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, in order to encourage weight loss.

Targeted neck and jaw exercises, like neck tilts and chin lifts, may also help by enhancing muscle tone, although they are unlikely to completely eliminate a double chin as these chin lift exercises focus on strengthening muscles rather than directly addressing neck fat accumulation.  

For those seeking a more comprehensive solution than can be provided by chin lift exercises, invasive and non invasive double chin treatments may be required.  

Non-invasive double chin treatments typically do not yield quite the same results as surgical alternatives and it might take more than one non invasive double chin treatment to show results. 

That said, some patients prefer minimally invasive methods and are attracted by the idea of minimal scarring and the little to no downtime required following these double chin reduction treatments. They are particularly preferred by younger patients for these reasons. 

Popular non surgical chin fat removal options include:  

• Morpheus 8: radiofrequency and microneedling treatment that can effectively target and improve the appearance of a double chin. Tightens the skin to reduce sagging and contours the skin via collagen production. 
• Kybella: involve injections to target and dissolve fat cells.  
• CoolSculpting: a non-invasive procedure that freezes and eliminates fat cells in the treated area. It does not require incisions or anaesthesia, unlike surgical lipo. 
• Ultherapy: is a face and neck treatment that uses ultrasound to lift, tighten and tone loose skin naturally without surgery. This helps to achieve a fresher, more youthful facial look by lifting the skin under the chin. 
• Micro Needling: tightens and smooths the skin and can help with double chin reduction. Small needles create small holes in the skin, prompting the body to create a wound healing response, renewing the skin cells. As the skin repairs, serum growth factors stimulate new collagen and elastin development, helping to tighten loose and non-elastic skin. 
• Non Surgical Facelift: these procedures can be offered together as part of a non-surgical facelift, also known as facial rejuvenation. A non-surgical facelift uses a combination of aesthetic treatments to restore facial structures and treat localised facial concerns, including double chins. 

If you are older with poor skin laxity, a surgical procedure would perhaps be a better option to help you to achieve your body goals.