It's common for people to stare at their faces and find faults. Living in a tech-driven and often superficial world doesn't help. Seeing faults in the mirror, a family photo, or a selfie you just took can make you self-critical. The longer you stare at your reflection or picture, the more you may notice certain imperfections. One imperfection that many people seem to struggle with is a double chin.
What Is a Double Chin?
A double chin is an excess weight carried beneath the chin, typically between the chin and neck. It makes your neck look bigger and may sometimes make you look older. Several people carry excess weight on their chins and necks, which can change the way your face and jaw look. Some people may even lose their jawline altogether because of the extra weight.
You may be wondering about the causes and symptoms of a double chin. The main symptoms of having a double chin include a change in facial structure, excess weight in the chin and neck area, and appearing older than you are.
Double chin causes
As for double chin causes, they are relatively straightforward. Mostly, a double chin results from being obese or even slightly overweight. While a double chin isn't necessarily something to worry about, the root cause can cause health issues. For example, obesity, which is the main cause of a double chin, can be linked to several health issues, including a higher mortality rate, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and more.
Obesity isn't the only cause of double chins. Genetics also plays a role. As such, some individuals end up with a stronger or softer jawline, thanks to hereditary factors. Even thin people may have a double chin due to a lack of muscle density, resulting in a higher body fat composition.
How to Get Rid of Double Chin
There’s nothing wrong with being self-conscious about your double chin and wanting to change it. Luckily, there are many ways to help reduce and even completely get rid of double chins. An obvious double chin treatment plan, especially for overweight people, would be to lose weight through diet and exercise. However, if you're struggling to lose excess weight or are already thin but prone to higher fat content and want to get rid of your double chin quickly, there are several other treatment plans you can consider.
Double chin natural treatment
Double chin natural treatment means losing your double chin naturally without medical intervention. This can be through diet and exercise, specific jaw exercises, and even yoga. Natural treatments aren’t an immediate fix and can take a while to achieve. They also require some maintenance — for example, if weight is an issue, it's important to not only shed your excess weight but to keep it off.
Diet and exercise won't always help fix double chins, especially if you're not overweight to begin with.
Double chin surgery
Another option to help reduce or get rid of a double chin is surgery. There are three common types of double chin surgery, including:
Liposuction. It's a common procedure that involves removing fat from beneath the skin. This is done through a small tube inserted into a small incision made by a surgeon. When performed on the neck area, your surgeon will also sculpt and contour your chin and neck to reshape your jawline. It's a simple procedure requiring only local anesthetic to numb the affected area.
Facelift. A facelift generally requires the patient to be under general anesthesia, but sometimes it can be done with local anesthesia. During a facelift, your doctor will remove any fat and saggy skin around your chin and neck area.
Neck lift. There are a few different types of neck-lift procedures. One is known as cervicoplasty and aims to remove extra skin from around the neck and chin. Another procedure, platysmaplasty, aims to tighten neck muscles. Both procedures help improve your neck and chin's contour.
Sometimes, more than one procedure is needed, and you may require both a liposuction and a face or neck lift to remove your double chin completely. Some doctors also combine face and neck lifts for better results. However, this combination often results in a tight feeling in the neck that can last several months.
Recovery time for surgery is around 10 to 14 days. You may experience bruising and swelling during this period.
Your doctor will discuss any surgical methods needed to help you with your double chin and will inform you whether you need more than one operation.
Injection for double chin
Deoxycholic acid injection is a nonsurgical alternative for double chin removal. Deoxycholic acid is a substance found in the gallbladder that can dissolve dietary fat. It is injected into the skin beneath your chin. You'd require several injections over several weeks. Some people may only need two or three injections, but it's common for others to require six treatments.
Neurotoxins, such as Botox, can also be injected along the jawline and in platysmal bands (neck muscles) to reduce a double chin.
Double chin fat freezing
Another treatment option is to freeze fat cells with a vacuum-pressured device. This device sucks the skin and fat into a suction cup. The suction cup chills the skin and fat and then warms the fat back up. This results in a process known as apoptosis, which causes the fat cells to die. This procedure can take up to two months to work.
Double Chin Exercises
In addition to weight loss, there are many exercises you can perform to tone your jawline.
Common exercises include:
Chin to ceiling
The chin-to-ceiling exercise helps activate neck and jaw muscles and should be performed 10-20 times a day. It requires you to stand or sit with your spine straight and then tilt your head backward, looking up to the ceiling. Gently guide your lower jaw forward, toward the ceiling. Hold this position for 10 seconds.
Lion’s roar
This exercise helps you tone your chin and should be performed 10 to 20 times a day. Begin by opening your mouth wide and sticking your tongue out as far as you can. You'll need to hold this position for 10 seconds. Return to your normal position and restart.
Cheek swishing
Cheek swishing is an exercise that you often do without realizing it — such as when you're brushing your teeth or washing your mouth. You can use water to help, but you can also perform this exercise with just air. All you need to do is vigorously swish around your cheeks for 5 to 10 minutes. Similar to the other exercises, you should aim to perform this exercise 10 to 20 times a day.
Takeaways
A double chin is most commonly caused by obesity or factors like genetics. To reduce a double chin, you can try natural methods such as diet and exercise. For quicker results, you can try cosmetic treatments or surgery. Neck exercises, such as tilting your head back or making silly faces, can help tone the area over time. Remember to be patient because results may take a while to show.
Double Chin FAQs
Why do I have a double chin?
Most often, a double chin is a result of being overweight or obese. Some people also may be genetically prone to having a weaker jawline.
How to get rid of a double chin overnight
Unfortunately, there's no quick fix to get rid of a double chin.
What is the best diet for reducing a double chin?
There's no specific diet for a double chin. However, weight loss is the best natural approach. Aim for a nutritious diet that can help you manage your calorie intake.
Can cosmetic procedures help with a double chin?
Cosmetic treatments like fat freezing and injections can help you get rid of your double chin. Cosmetic surgery can also help.
Are there any home remedies for eliminating a double chin?
Weight loss and chin exercises are the most common and effective ways to get rid of a double chin at home.
