Most of us have experienced it. That moment when you decide to take a selfie at a certain angle and all you see is that extra chin.
Sometimes it’s just the camera angle, but sometimes there’s enough skin and/or fat to make you think about taking action. Our dermatologists here in Dallas, Texas, can help. But how did it get there? Why does it exist? And what can you do about it? Here’s the scoop.
Sometimes, it’s just genetics.
Submental fat, or the fat that accumulates below the chin, has a few prominent causes. Weight gain is perhaps the most obvious path to a double chin, but it develops for plenty of people who maintain a healthy weight their entire lives.
For some, persistently poor posture can contribute. But for most of us, it’s simply the combination of 2 inescapable forces: genetics and aging. We’re programmed to gather fat in certain areas, and the double chin is the result.
Here’s how to get rid of a double chin.
Because double chins are so common, multiple approaches have been developed to help make them go away.
Nonsurgical Injections
The first option is also the newest. It’s called KYBELLA®, and it’s a nonsurgical injectable treatment that dissolves submental fat, with no incisions and no downtime. When you come in for a KYBELLA treatment at our Dallas practice, we begin by cleansing your neck and preparing it for treatment. You’ll then receive about 50 injections during a single session (which lasts about 30 minutes). We space treatments at least a month apart to allow time for the breakdown and elimination of fat. A 2018 article published in the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery shows how the treatment is performed.
Most patients achieve their optimal results after 2 to 4 sessions. Take a look below to see one of our patient’s results and see more before-and-after photos in our photo gallery.
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For your convenience, you can purchase a KYBELLA treatment through our online store.
Radiofrequency Energy
If your double chin is primarily due to loose skin, or if you want your neck skin tightened after KYBELLA treatments, we may recommend Thermage®. Using a radiofrequency energy device, Thermage heats the collagen fibers down in the deeper layers of the skin. This makes 2 things happen: First, your existing collagen contracts, producing a tightening effect. Second, the heat energy also triggers the production of new collagen along the jawline and upper neck line, resulting in smoother, more radiant skin. Learn more about the procedure in our related blog post.
The results of Thermage (i.e., measurably tighter skin) emerge gradually over a 4 to 6-month period. Here’s a look at one patient’s transformation:
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Topical Treatment
For milder cases of a double chin, Nectifirm® from Revision Skincare can firm up the neck and décolletage. Its mix of plant extracts, antioxidants and proprietary biotechnological blends work to smooth out rough, crepey skin as it gives the skin a gentle lift.
Available on our online store, Nectifirm is one of our bestsellers.
Surgical Intervention
In more severe cases of laxity, the best approach is plastic surgery. In your consultation, we’ll tell you if your case falls under this category. If it does, we’ll most likely tell you to research neck liposuction or neck lift surgery.
If you’re ready to discuss double-chin treatments, use our online form to request a consultation or call us at (214) 631-7546 to schedule an appointment.
Post updated December 2020.
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