Double Chin - Causes & Removal

Does that hint of a double chin get you worried? If so, put away any thoughts you may have of scarves, turtlenecks, or chin-concealing hijab adjustments. Help is at hand. You can confidently get that well-defined chin and neck contour to cut a striking, elegant profile.

What makes a chin double itself?

A double chin, as this unpopular feature is popularly called, is the sagging caused in the chin area due to the excessive collection of fat tissue. Known as the submental area, this region under the chin is prone to fat deposition – even in otherwise slim people – causing the platysma muscle to sag, thereby affecting the shape of the jawline and making the face look older.

Age and genetic disposition are contributory factors, as are weight gain, obesity, and roundness of the face.  In fact, in overweight people, fat accumulates in the jawline and neck, exacerbating the double chin problem.

The digital double chin.

What if we were to tell you that your mobile phone could be dialing up a nice little double chin for you? Logical enough, if you carefully observe what happens to the submental area as you keep looking down for extended periods. Do you want to double-check that theory? Look up “neck exercises for double chins” and see how they focus on thrusting your chin out, stretching your neck, and gazing upwards)

You can hide a double chin, but you cannot run away from it.

An important and often overlooked factor is the effect of clothing style on how we approach a double chin, or for that matter, any part of the body where the contour is compromised by poor muscle tone or fat deposition. Concealment leads to complacency. For instance, hiding a double chin with a suitably adjusted hijab is one thing. Taking the initiative to sort it out is another.

Non-invasive treatments: Doubling down on double chins.

Double Chin removal needs to be customized for each individual. There are some non-surgical double chin removal treatments. Ideally, they are combinations created from the following pool of treatments:

Cryotherapy. This should bring a smile to anyone who wishes to trim off a double chin. It subjects subcutaneous fat to super low temperature, deactivating it totally without affecting the overlying skin. It is based on a non-invasive technology called Cryolipolysis, where an ergonomically designed applicator is used to freeze, destroy and eliminate fat from the problem area while also tightening the skin. All this with no downtime.

Radiofrequency (RF) is another non-invasive treatment for the double chin. Radiofrequency builds collagen, helping tighten the skin and prevent sagging. It also reduces fat in the submental area. This treatment requires no downtime, either.

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is an emerging FDA-approved technology  and an invaluable non-surgical facelift technique. It gives the dermatologist the power to target and tighten the deep foundational layer of skin (SMAS or superficial musculoaponeurotic system) where the repair must be carried out. It does a great job of fat reduction too.

Lipo-dissolve, an injectable treatment that dissolves fat, is also an option. Here, a naturally occurring bile salt, sodium deoxycholate, is combined with a synthetic derivative, deoxycholic acid, to target fat tissue selectively. Additionally, this treatment for the double chin also generates fresh collagen, addressing skin laxity and firming up the area.

In several cases, a short mandible and chin can create the incorrect perception of a double chin. An expert dermatologist can enhance the chin and mandible with fillers to make it all look right.

These non-invasive treatments are best used combined to give you  optimal results. They are gaining more popularity than traditional cosmetic surgery and liposuction since surgery comes with its own risks and recovery time.

Can you remove a double chin by exercising?

The short and simple answer is: it depends. It’s really down to the magnitude of the task. While treatment may be required in several cases, especially for achieving the perfect contour, the good news is that targeted exercises can tone the neck and the chin.  Working on the sternocleidomastoid and platysma muscles in the neck can give a  well-toned and supple jawline. Face and neck exercises recommended by the experts are generally anecdotal. A double chin treatment could mean adopting a healthy lifestyle or medical options, or a combination of both.

So be confident that your forthcoming selfies will have you beaming confidently and displaying a well-contoured jawline. Chin up and smile!