Have you started to become more and more self-conscious about your neck area? Submental fullness, also known as a double chin, can make you feel self-conscious. Removing this stubborn fat to achieve a slimmer, more sculpted chin can give you a profile you want others to notice.
What Can Cause a Double Chin?
Several things can contribute to the development of a double chin. These factors include genetics, weight gain, and aging. Genetics can play a significant role in the accumulation of excess fat beneath the chin, and having family members with a double chin increases your risk.
Weight gain can contribute to a double chin. When you gain weight, the fat cells in your body can expand, leading to the accumulation of excess fat in the submental area. However, even slim people can have a double chin.
Finally, as we age, the skin and muscles in our face and neck begin to lose elasticity. This laxity leads to sagging skin and the development of a double chin. Collagen and elastin production in the skin also decreases with age, making it less able to maintain its firmness and elasticity.
How to Get Rid of a Double Chin
If you want to get rid of your double chin, you have several options available. You can address your double chin with surgical or non-surgical treatments. Different methods work better depending on your lifestyle, the amount of submental fat you have, and whether you have associated skin laxity.
Liposuction
If you struggle with stubborn submental fat and can tolerate a few days of recovery time, liposuction may be an excellent option for you. This fat removal procedure uses a cannula that breaks up and suctions out unwanted fat.
Neck Lift
Your LPS surgeon may recommend a neck lift if you have sagging skin in the neck area. If your skin lacks elasticity, removing fat can cause even more sagging. In this case, you may benefit most from a neck lift to tighten loose skin while removing fat.
Kybella®
Kybella® is the first FDA-approved injectable for getting rid of a double chin. Kybella® uses a molecule that targets fat cells without harming other tissues. You can see significant improvements in your double chin, although not as dramatic as surgical results.
What is Recovery Like After Double Chin Treatment?
Recovery time for double chin treatment varies widely. Most non-surgical procedures require no downtime, although with Kybella®, you may experience swelling and pain. Liposuction typically requires a few days of recovery time, while a neck lift can take several weeks.
Take the Next Step
Interested in learning about double chin treatments? Schedule your consultation with Longwood Plastic Surgery today by calling our Brookline office at (617) 383-6250. We serve the Brookline and Greater Boston area with distinction.