How to get rid of double chin fat without surgery

Article medically reviewed by Dr. Gavin Chan

Templestowe Lower, Berwick and Beaumaris Clinics

Dr. Gavin Chan, MBBS, General Registration (MED0001175745), founder of the Victorian Cosmetic Institute, began offering cosmetic medical treatments in 2004. Formerly a trainer for cosmetic pharmaceutical companies, Dr. Chan currently concentrates on offering ongoing training to cosmetic doctors at the Victorian Cosmetic Institute. He ensures that all doctors stay updated with the latest procedures and methods in the cosmetic industry. Read More

If you have fat deposits creating the appearance of a double chin and want to see if you can remove it, there are a number of different methods you can try. You don’t necessarily need to have surgery to get rid of a double chin.

What is a double chin?

A double chin (also called submental fat) is the area that lies under your chin and around the jawline. While weight loss can decrease the amount of excess fat around your chin, sometimes your genetics can mean that this doesn’t work. Having fat around your chin can make the jawline appear less defined. The most prominent area of double chin fat is usually called pre-platysmal fat. This can be treated with injections, but there are also other ways to reduce your double chin fat.

What causes a double chin?

There are a number of factors that can contribute to a double chin that don’t always include weight gain, such as:

• Age – as we age, our skin loses elasticity. The ageing process can contribute to sagging skin in the chin and neck area, resulting in a double chin.
• Diet – while weight is not the only cause of a double chin, it can definitely be a contributing factor.
• Facial structure and genetics – if your family members have a lot of excess skin around their jawlines, this may be why yours won’t go away.
• Poor posture – this can weaken the muscles around the neck and chin and contribute to the unwanted fat around the area.

How can I get rid of my double chin without surgery?

Exercise/weight loss

If the excess fat around your chin is due to weight gain, it may help you to lose weight. The way to do this is by following a healthy diet and regular exercise.

You should aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate to high-intensity physical activity everyday, and try to reduce your intake of processed and sugary foods.

Lipolysis treatments

Lipolysis is a procedure that uses laser energy to break fat cells apart and change the appearance of specific parts of your body. This treatment is particularly suited to small areas of fat such as those in the neck. This procedure may be less invasive than liposuction.

Facial moisturisers

Incorporating products into your skincare routine that have been formulated to increase skin’s elasticity and boost your collagen production may help with the appearance of the skin under your chin. Keeping your skin hydrated and healthy is one of the most effective ways to maintain the firmness of your skin.

Massaging

You may be able to reduce the appearance of the looser skin around your jawline by massaging your face and neck at home. Massaging can relieve tension, increase blood circulation and help to lift your muscles up, which can help to get rid of your double chin. There are a number of lymph nodes along the jawline, so by massaging from your lower jaw upwards towards your ear you are reducing fluid retention.

Cryolipolysis (fat freezing)

Cryolipolysis is a non-surgical method of fat reduction that uses cold temperatures to damage and remove fat cells from specific areas of the body. This procedure can be used on the chin area and is suited for people who are in generally good health. This treatment does not require any general or local anesthetic but can take up to an hour for one session.

Mesotherapy

Mesotherapy is a technique that treats fat by using injections of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, hormones and/or herbal extracts to rejuvenate skin. The formula of these injections will vary depending on the doctor and your specific needs, but they can help to remove excess fat and tighten skin.

Cosmetic treatments

Liposuction is a well-known treatment for removing excess fat from the body. Liposuction is a surgical procedure in which incisions are made in your skin and then different methods are used to remove the extra fat. Liposculpture and Submentoplasty are also cosmetic procedures similar to liposuction that can be used to remove excess fat.

Injectables

Getting injections to dissolve the fat beneath your chin is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid. You won’t see results from this procedure as quickly as you would notice results from liposuction, and you may require up to six treatments.

Fat dissolving injections have been used for over a decade and are composed of substances that occur naturally in the human body. Prior to 2017 they were a mixture of phosphatidylcholine (PPC) and deoxcholate (DC). The release of a second-generation fat dissolving injection in 2017 with the active ingredient DC has improved our ability to dissolve double chin fat.

How do double chin injections work?

Since 2005, led by Dr Gavin Chan, our team of highly experienced and trained Cosmetic Doctors and Nurses have treated double chin fat using injections. As a non-surgical alternative to liposuction, this treatment is mostly suited for patients with minimal skin laxity and a small amount of submental fat.

From 2017 we have used fat dissolving injectables to treat double chin fat with the active ingredient DC, an acid that occurs naturally in your body. The injections used in the double chin fat destroy fat cells using a process called adipocytolysis. It’s important to note that once the double chin fat cells are destroyed they won’t be able to store fat again.

What does it feel like to have injections that dissolve double chin fat?

A temporary tattoo template is placed on the areas that need treatment. This ensures the exact amount of volume is used at each injection site. To minimise any pain or discomfort during the treatment, we apply topical anaesthetic to the treatment area and inject local anaesthetic. We can also use ice to numb the treatment area.

After your double chin fat has been treated with injections that dissolve fat, you will experience swelling and some tenderness. On the day of your treatment this may be considerable, however it’s a sign that the treatment is working and that your body is destroying fat cells. Although this is a non-surgical treatment, we suggest that you schedule your appointment so you can go straight home afterwards. Over the next few days some patients can experience bruising. This is a common side effect and can last up to 3 weeks.

Fat dissolving injections vs Liposuction to remove double chin fat

Traditionally liposuction has been the gold standard treatment used to remove patient’s fat in areas that won’t shrink even though they exercise regularly and have a healthy diet. Liposuction is generally performed under general anaesthetic. To remove double chin fat, small incisions are made under the chin and behind the ears. Local anaesthetic is administered and a metal cannula with suction then removes the fat. In most cases, recovery is around 7 days.

Fat dissolving injectables are a non-surgical alternative to removing double chin fat. It’s important to note that the process of fat cell destruction using injections takes longer than liposuction, where the fat cells are removed instantly. Since 2017 we have been using a brand of fat dissolving injectables that have been specifically designed to treat submental fat. With strict treatment protocols and a standardised volume per injection site, the results of this fat dissolving product have been outstanding.

FAQs

Do double chin exercises work?

There is no scientific evidence that chin exercises will help you get rid of excess fat. These exercises, such as one in which you move your lower jaw forward and backward and side to side, can help reduce strain on your neck muscles but will not remove submental fat.

How long does it take to get rid of a double chin?

This will depend on the type of treatment you receive, but if you choose to get injectables you should start to see results after 4-6 weeks.

Melbourne medical clinic for get rid of double chin

Thinking about getting your double chin fat dissolved with injections? It’s important to choose a medical clinic with highly trained and experienced Cosmetic Doctors and  Nurses. Since 2005, we’ve treated thousands of patient’s double chins with fat dissolving injectables.

To ensure this treatment is appropriate for you, we thoroughly examine the area around and under your chin. Every treatment is personally tailored following a thorough consultation. To find out if double chin injections are suitable for you, arrange a consultation by calling us on 1300 863 824 or request a consultation using this form.