30 y/o female with overdeveloped jaw muscles and significant submental fat - Am I a candidate for chin liposuction? (photos)

Question

I have significant submental fat; however, I also have overdeveloped muscles under my jaw, as my dentist put it. Perhaps as a result of TMJ? If I stretch my chin up to the sky, the muscle pokes out and is firm to the touch. That is why I am asking if chin lipo alone would help my case or if I need a more in-depth procedure. For reference I'm a 30-year-old Eurasian female. Thank you!

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Thank you for your thoughtful question — it’s a very relevant concern, especially for patients dealing with both submental fullness (fat beneath the chin) and overdeveloped jaw muscles, often linked to TMJ or bruxism (jaw clenching).

From what you’ve described, you may indeed have two separate anatomical contributors to your jawline appearance:

Submental fat, which can be addressed through chin liposuction, and

Overdeveloped masseter or digastric muscles, which may require a different or additional approach.

Chin liposuction is effective at removing excess fat and can dramatically improve jawline definition in the right candidates. However, if your bulkiness under the jaw is partly due to muscular hypertrophy — especially if it becomes prominent when you tilt your head back — liposuction alone may not yield your desired results.

In cases where muscle is significantly contributing to the fullness or contour:

Botox or other neuromodulators may be used off-label to reduce the size of overdeveloped masseter muscles. This is a common non-surgical treatment for TMJ-related muscle hypertrophy and jaw slimming.

If the muscle under the chin is more related to digastric or platysma muscles, some patients may benefit from platysmaplasty or other surgical tightening procedures — often performed by facial plastic surgeons.

You may be a candidate for chin liposuction, but to determine the best approach, I recommend a thorough in-person evaluation that includes an assessment of fat, muscle tone, and skin laxity. A combination treatment plan might offer the best aesthetic outcome.

Mohamed Elmaraghy, MD, FRCS(C) · Answer

I think you are a great candidate for neck liposuction. You have very minor laxity of the skin and this should contract nicey after liposuction of the submental fat.Another alternative could be radio frequency assisted liposuction such as facetite or necktite. This may help get further contraction of the skin and define the jawline further.

Lucian Ion, FRCS · Answer

Thank you for your question and for sharing your photographs.

The prominence of the digastric muscles can sometimes be due to hereditary characteristics, but more commonly, it is associated with weight training in the gym. Straining during weightlifting, often accompanied by pushing the tongue against the roof of the mouth, can strengthen the muscles in the floor of the mouth, including the digastric muscles, contributing to their prominence.

In addition, there is a degree of volume excess in the subplatysma fatty tissue, which contributes to the appearance. This can be addressed effectively through an anterior neck lift intervention, which targets deeper layers, including fatty tissue beneath the platysma, digastric muscles and lower part of the supplement glands, and can provide a more defined neck contour, both in neutral position and in neck neck flexion or elevation. It does however leave a 3 cm has gone under the chin.

Liposuction, by contrast, primarily treats the fatty tissue situated under the skin and does not address the deeper layers or the digastric muscle prominence. As a result, it may not produce the degree of change you desire.

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

The extent of somebody's subcutaneous fat in the neck is pretty straightforward to examine. Rather than extending the neck back, we ask people to bring their chin to their chest. That tends to cause the subcutaneous fat to accumulate into a roll that can be palpated before considering surgery. I hope this helps. Sincerely, Dr Joseph

Tek Przylecki, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,Although it's not possible to make a decision for surgery with 100% certainty without performing a physical exam, from the photos you provided it appears that you would be a candidate for sub mental (under chin) liposuction. I would recommend evaluation by a board certified plastic surgeon. Best of luck on your journey!

30 y/o female with overdeveloped jaw muscles and significant submental fat - Am I a candidate for chin liposuction? (photos)

Answers (7)

Answer: Depending on your examination, you may benefit from neck liposuction.

Answer: Depending on your examination, you may benefit from neck liposuction.

Answer: Chin lipo

Answer: Chin lipo

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Everything you need to know about Chin Liposuction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

30 y/o female with overdeveloped jaw muscles and significant submental fat - Am I a candidate for chin liposuction? (photos)

Answers (7)

Answer: Depending on your examination, you may benefit from neck liposuction.

Answer: Depending on your examination, you may benefit from neck liposuction.

Answer: Chin lipo

Answer: Chin lipo

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Chin Liposuction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.