Double Chin
A double chin, or submental fat, was once thought to affect only those dealing with weight gain. However, everyone is susceptible to developing a double chin. Learn how to eliminate it with both at-home and in-office solutions.
A double chin, or submental fat, was once thought to affect only those dealing with weight gain. However, everyone is susceptible to developing a double chin. Learn how to eliminate it with both at-home and in-office solutions.
Do chin exercises work?
Top treatment options
A double chin is caused by a pocket of fat below the chin, called submental fat. When excess fat collects beneath the chin or skin laxity develops in this area, a protrusion forms that can distort the profile of the chin and jawline.
There are myriad reasons this area can be such a trouble spot. Your chin and neck structure—specifically, the size of your chin bone, length of your lower jaw bone, and position of your larynx/Adam’s apple—play a role, as do weight gain and the effects of aging on skin and muscle laxity.
“The two sheets of [platysma] muscle that support the neck can part from each other under the chin and be a significant component of a double chin,” says retired Dallas plastic surgeon Dr. P. Craig Hobar.
Submental fat, as doctors call it, can also be inherited. “A double chin can commonly be a genetic trait, especially if you’re thin. Sometimes it’s accompanied by a small chin as well,” says Dr. Mike Majmundar, a facial plastic surgeon in Alpharetta, Georgia.
A double chin can become obvious for some in their late 20s, but most people really begin to notice it in their late 30s, says Boston plastic surgeon Dr. Brooke R. Seckel. “Our skin begins to show signs of aging, skin sag, or skin laxity, starting in our 30s. Also, if we don’t eat right and stay fit, our metabolism slows down and we don’t burn off as much fat. The fat accumulates beneath the chin and makes the double chin worse.”
Weight loss can help reduce the appearance of a double chin, but it's very hard to lose fat in specific areas. That's especially true of submental fat, so if you’re thinking of trying to work off your chin fat with double chin exercises, doctors on RealSelf say you probably won’t see the results you want.
“There’s no such thing as losing weight in a certain spot,” says Dr. Kenneth Burmudez, a plastic surgeon in San Francisco. “The human body likes to lose weight in an even manner. So unfortunately, exercises that you might be doing specifically to the chin and neck region will do nothing to lessen the amount of fat in that area. If you’re on a rigorous exercise program involving all areas of the body, with both cardio and weights, there’s a good chance that the fat in the area under the chin will lessen. That being said, if you’re sick and tired of exercising and have not seen much improvement, I would recommend that you see a board-certified plastic surgeon.”
Double chin exercises can also make the platysma muscle more visible and contribute to neck bands.
A double chin caused by submental fat can resist weight loss and facial exercises. Here’s the good news: there are many procedures, including minimally invasive treatments and double chin surgery like lipo, that effectively target this common trouble spot.
These are the treatment options doctors and RealSelf members say actually work to reduce chin fat.
| Worth It Rating | 68% | 50% | 91% | 92% | 87% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Cost | $2275 | $1350 | $3275 | $8675 | $5175 |
| Downtime | Minimal downtime | Minimal downtime | 3–5 days of downtime | 1–2 weeks of downtime | Up to 1 week of downtime |
| Anesthesia | No anesthesia | No anesthesia | Local anesthesia | General anesthesia | Local anesthesia with IV sedation |
- CoolMini treatments use a smaller applicator for CoolSculpting, a nonsurgical treatment that uses freezing temperatures to destroy fat cells. It’s designed to treat small, hard-to-reach pockets of fat, including under the chin. Two overlapping treatments (where the applicators are placed in a V pattern) can also be used, to treat the central neck and define the jawline. CoolSculpting is a popular option because it has little downtime and typically delivers a 20–25% reduction in fat. There may be some swelling and soreness, but the recovery is considerably less involved than what you'd experience after a surgical treatment. Some patients also report feeling a fullness in the back of their throat post-treatment, but that usually resolves within two weeks. Most patients need 45-minute sessions, spaced two to three weeks apart, to treat a double chin. You should see results in two to four months, once your body has flushed out the fat cells. Find doctors who offer CoolMini
- Kybella is the only FDA-approved injectable treatment for submental fat. It contains a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring solution that breaks down fat cells. Depending on how much fullness you have, your provider will give you anywhere from 20 to 50 small injections in the area. The area will be numbed, but you may feel some mild stinging and burning. Afterward, you may experience significant swelling for about 10 days (and in rare cases, up to 30). “We recommend that patients take into account the expected swelling and potential bruising and how those side effects could affect their social plans,” says Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald, a dermatologic surgeon in Los Angeles. “It’s easier for women to hide the transient swelling with scarves or clothing.” Most people need up to six treatments, spaced at least a month apart, for best results, which won’t be seen until months after the final treatment. But it can be worth the wait: your final result is permanent (unless you gain weight). Related: Kybella Busts Fat, and Not Just Under Your Chin Rare side effects associated with Kybella include nerve damage, which can take up to four months to fully resolve. Getting your Kybella injections from a provider with extensive knowledge and experience of facial anatomy can help mitigate this risk. Find doctors who offer Kybella
- Chin liposuction removes excess fat via a thin cannula (tube) inserted through a small incision under the chin. If your goal is to get rid of fat in the chin area over the course of a week or so, liposuction is the best option—though it can take a couple of months for all the swelling to resolve so that you can see the final result. “For patients with disproportionately more fat in the chin and with taut overlying skin, liposuction can be tremendously effective, with surprisingly little downtime. This can be done in the office, totally awake, with local anesthesia, if desired,” says Miami plastic surgeon Dr. Ziyad Hammoudeh. Traditional liposuction doesn't tighten loose skin, so many doctors choose Smartlipo to both remove fat and contract the skin. The heat of Smartlipo also stimulates new collagen to firm skin over the next several months. FaceTite, a treatment that utilizes radiofrequency (RF) energy to stimulate collagen production and tighten skin, is another treatment often used in conjunction with submental liposuction, to create a smoother jawline. The beauty of liposuction is that it’s a “one and done” treatment, with minimal downtime—most patients can return to work after four days of recovery time, says New York City plastic surgeon Dr. Thomas Sterry. Find doctors who offer chin liposuction
- A neck lift is a surgical procedure that effectively treats a double chin caused by excess or loose skin and weakened muscles. In cases where excess fat is also an issue, a neck lift is often paired with chin liposuction. A chin implant can also be inserted, to further define the chin and jawline. Through a small incision behind each ear (and, possibly, one under the chin), the surgeon sucks out excess fat via liposuction, tightens the neck muscles and underlying tissues, then removes excess skin. You’ll likely need two weeks of recovery time as the bruising and swelling resolve, and your neck may feel tight from swelling for a few months. Results last for years, though your skin will continue to become more lax with age. Find doctors who offer neck lifts
- A chin implant strengthens the jawline and reduces or eliminates a double chin caused by a weak or recessive chin. “Many people have a small jaw and think they need liposuction,” says Dr. Gerald Wittenberg, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Vancouver, British Columbia. “But if the chin is extended, the double chin goes away.” A chin implant can be paired with liposuction, to create an even better final result. A weak chin can also be addressed with injectable dermal fillers—but because those results are temporary, a chin implant can be the most cost-effective long-term solution. The rubbery silicone implant is inserted through a small, curved incision under the chin. The procedure takes about 30 minutes and can be performed using local anesthesia. The chin implant is permanent, although as with other options, weight gain and aging can undermine your results. Find doctors who offer chin implants
Learn about a variety of chin enhancement options from Dr. Jennifer Levine, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City, and two RealSelf members who had chin procedures.
Updated July 2, 2021