Is this a double chin, even though my body fat percentage is very low? How can I get a sharper jawline? (Photos)

Question

Hello doctors, I'm 18 years old. I've been exercising for over two years, and my body fat percentage is currently around 11-14%. I'm 5'8" tall and weigh 132 pounds (I'm trying to gain weight). However, my jawline isn't very defined; it even looks a bit chubby when viewed from the sides. I don't consume excessive amounts of salt. So, what should I do to get a sharper jawline? I'm Asian. Thank you!

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

Your two photos are difficult to evaluate, however, the first photo may reveal a bit of a weak chin appearance. Chin augmentation is a minimally invasive procedure that can give a centimeter of additional chin projection for a more masculine appearing jawline, depending on your examination. I hope this helps.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Unlike other tightening treatments, Ultherapy only requires a single treatment every one to two years and has long-term effects in skin stimulation and collagen production. Ultherapy is ideal for men and women who are experiencing mild to moderate skin laxity and desire a noticeable and long-term skin tightening treatment without the complications and risks of more invasive surgical procedures. Ultherapy can be combined with dermal fillers, Botox treatments, chemical peels, skin tightening lasers, and skin facials. Our plastic surgery and cosmetic center in Santa Monica offers Ultherapy as a complement to other skin treatments and cosmetic rejuvenation procedures.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Hi there,

Thank you for sharing these details and your photo. From what I can see, your jawline doesn’t show excess fat, so it’s unlikely this is a “double chin” in the typical sense. Even at low body fat percentages, some people naturally have softer or less prominent jawlines due to genetics, facial structure, and bone positioning.

At 18, your face may still be filling out and your jawline might not yet have fully defined contours. Factors like a slightly recessed chin, jaw angle, or muscle tone in the neck and lower face can influence how sharp your jawline looks.

Here are some gentle tips to enhance definition:

Chin and neck exercises: Strengthening the muscles around the jaw can help a bit, though changes are usually subtle.

Posture: Keeping your neck elongated and shoulders back improves jawline appearance.

Hydration and sleep: Minimizing fluid retention and puffiness can help with definition.

Cosmetic options (if desired in the future): Dermal fillers or minimally invasive procedures can enhance the chin or jawline, but these aren’t usually necessary at your age unless you’re looking for a more pronounced change.

Remember, a strong jawline is largely determined by your bone structure. With your low body fat, what you’re noticing is likely normal variation rather than excess fat. Your current efforts in fitness and nutrition are excellent, and continuing to gain healthy weight may even improve facial balance.

You have a naturally youthful face, and minor contour differences are completely normal, especially in people of Asian descent, where jaw angles can vary widely.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Facial aesthetics are based on facial skeletal structure.
This is especially true for young people.
In order to assess your mandible, we need to see it in context to your maxilla.
In other words, we need to see full facial pictures.
I think your jawline looks fine and there is no easy way to improve it, especially not without the ability to make a quality assessment which means having access to much better pictures.
Look up plastic surgeon take before and after pictures to get an idea.
We basically need something that looks like mug shots without facial expression.
 Most likely fillers are going to be the treatment of choice, though there are a variety of mandibular procedures, like sliding genioplasty and implants that could potentially be viable options.
Considering the information included, I would say you should probably not have any treatment at this point. In other words, you’re young and attractive, and all young women are a bit over focused on their appearance.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Is this a double chin, even though my body fat percentage is very low? How can I get a sharper jawline? (Photos)

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