How to Reduce Double Chin
The double chin, also known as submental fat, is an aesthetic concern that affects many people and can arise due to fat accumulation, sagging, or both in the area below the chin. This condition can impair the definition of facial contour, impacting the self-esteem of those who desire a more harmonious face. Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce double chin, ranging from lifestyle changes and daily skincare to advanced aesthetic treatments and surgeries.
What causes double chin?
Double chin can result from various factors. Let's highlight the main ones:
Fat accumulation: Generally associated with weight gain, fat accumulates under the chin, creating the double chin.
Skin sagging: Over the years, skin loses collagen and elasticity, which can result in excess skin in the neck region.
Genetic factors: Some people have a genetic predisposition to develop double chin, regardless of body weight.
Poor posture: Bad posture, especially when using electronic devices, can contribute to sagging and fat accumulation in the neck.
How to reduce double chin?
Here we will present some tips on how to prevent and reduce double chin, using simple and accessible methods, such as maintaining a healthy weight, adequate hydration, and specific exercises for the neck region. However, it's worth remembering that in more severe cases, where there is significant fat accumulation or advanced sagging, only deeper aesthetic treatments or surgeries, such as double chin liposuction or neck lift, can offer satisfactory results. Therefore, it's important to consult a specialist to evaluate the most appropriate treatment for your case.
Does weight control influence double chin?
Maintaining stable body weight is one of the most effective ways to avoid fat accumulation under the chin. Weight gain, especially in the face and neck area, can accentuate double chin. Therefore, adopting a balanced diet and practicing physical exercises regularly are fundamental to prevent and reduce this condition. Weight control also helps prevent other health problems, such as sagging associated with collagen loss over the years. By balancing your diet and physical activities, you not only reduce overall body fat but also improve skin tone and double chin appearance.
Hydration and healthy eating
Hydration is essential to keep skin firm and prevent sagging. Drinking plenty of water helps eliminate toxins and maintain healthy skin. Additionally, consuming foods rich in collagen, such as lean proteins and green vegetables, can contribute to more elastic and firm skin, reducing the likelihood of developing double chin. A diet rich in antioxidants and nutrients, such as vitamin C and omega-3, can also promote collagen production and improve skin elasticity. Maintaining a balanced diet is one of the main factors to prevent double chin appearance over time.
Neck exercises
There are specific neck exercises that can help tone the muscles in the region and minimize double chin. Simple movements, such as tilting the head back and moving the jaw, can strengthen muscles and improve neck contour. Incorporating these exercises into daily routine can, over time, provide visible results. These exercises are mainly effective when combined with a healthy lifestyle, such as diet and weight control. Additionally, they are a practical and accessible option for those who want to combat double chin without resorting to aesthetic procedures.
Correct posture
Poor posture can contribute to double chin appearance, especially when the head is constantly tilted forward, such as when using cell phones or computers. Maintaining spine and neck alignment, plus avoiding tilting the head forward for long periods, can help prevent double chin and improve facial contour. Small adjustments in daily posture, such as raising the cell phone to eye level, can prevent fat accumulation and sagging development in the neck. Additionally, maintaining good posture throughout the day improves blood circulation, benefiting skin health.
Non-invasive aesthetic treatments
For mild to moderate cases of double chin, aesthetic treatments can provide excellent results without the need for surgery:
CoolSculpting: This technique uses controlled freezing to destroy fat cells. In the case of double chin, fat is gradually eliminated by the body, improving neck contour. Although effective, results may take several weeks to appear.
Microfocused Ultrasound: This technology reaches deep skin layers to stimulate collagen production and promote firmness. It can improve mild sagging in the neck and jaw area, offering visible results in few sessions.
Morpheus 8: A treatment that combines radiofrequency and microneedling to promote skin rejuvenation. Morpheus 8 improves sagging and neck contour without the need for surgery.
FaceTite: FaceTite is an advanced radiofrequency technology that offers results similar to surgery but without the need for large incisions. It heats deep skin layers to melt fat and stimulate collagen production, providing significant improvement in sagging and double chin contour. This procedure is minimally invasive and offers visible results in few weeks, with shorter recovery time compared to surgery.
Surgical treatments to eliminate double chin
In more advanced cases of double chin, where there is significant fat accumulation and skin sagging, plastic surgeries offer the best and most lasting results. Surgeries are especially effective for those seeking an expressive change in neck and face contour:
Double Chin Liposuction: Double chin liposuction is indicated for those with excess localized fat under the chin. During the procedure, small cannulas are inserted to remove fat, resulting in a more defined neck. It's a quick surgery with relatively smooth recovery.
Cervicoplasty (Neck Lift): For cases where there is excess skin, cervicoplasty is the most recommended solution. The surgery removes sagging skin and repositions neck muscles, providing a lasting rejuvenation effect.
Deep Neck Lift: Deep neck lift is a more comprehensive surgery that treats deep neck layers, including muscles. This procedure is ideal for those with severe sagging who want to achieve a more defined and youthful neck contour.
Rejuvenation surgeries that can be associated
In many cases, surgeries to treat double chin can be combined with other aesthetic procedures to offer complete rejuvenation. The most common include:
Facelift: To treat face and neck sagging simultaneously.
Blepharoplasty: To eliminate excess skin on eyelids, harmonizing facial contour.
How to choose the best procedure?
When consulting a plastic surgeon to treat double chin, the specialist will perform a thorough evaluation of your case, considering several important factors. Some points the surgeon will analyze include:
Amount of accumulated fat: The surgeon will verify if double chin is mainly caused by fat accumulation, which can determine the indication of procedures such as double chin liposuction or non-invasive techniques like CoolSculpting.
Level of skin sagging: Skin firmness will be evaluated to decide if a less invasive treatment, such as radiofrequency or ultrasound, can be effective or if a neck lift would be more appropriate in cases of severe sagging.
Facial and muscular structure: Evaluation of natural facial contour and patient's muscular structure is essential to determine which areas need more support and which procedure would provide the best aesthetic result.
Age and skin quality: Skin elasticity and recovery capacity are factors that influence procedure choice. Younger patients or those with good skin quality may obtain good results with less invasive treatments.
Patient expectations: The surgeon will also discuss expected results and help align expectations with what is realistically possible, plus explain benefits and possible risks of each procedure.
With this analysis, the specialist can recommend the most appropriate treatment, personalized for the patient's needs and aesthetic objectives.
How to choose the professional to reduce double chin?
The success of treatment to reduce or eliminate double chin largely depends on choosing a qualified surgeon. Dr. Leandro Oshiro, specialist in facial rejuvenation and body contouring, is a member of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery (SBCP) and has extensive experience in procedures that improve facial contour, including double chin liposuction and advanced technologies like FaceTite. With his clinic located in the heart of São Paulo, he offers personalized service and natural results.
To schedule your initial consultation and discuss the best procedure for your case, send a WhatsApp message for more information.
The ideal treatment to reduce double chin will depend on each patient's needs and condition severity. While non-invasive treatments are indicated for mild cases, surgeries offer more lasting and effective results for those with more advanced sagging. Regardless of the chosen procedure, it's essential to consult a specialized plastic surgeon to evaluate the best solution and ensure a satisfactory result.
