We’re often told to keep our chin up, but that can be difficult when it’s being held down by someone else. A double chin is not necessarily a sign of poor health, but it can affect your self-esteem and social life. Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce, if not eliminate, your double chin. Below, you’ll learn how to reduce your double chin and add some definition to your jawline.
What causes a double chin?
A double chin is simply excess fat in the submental space (the area below the chin). This submental fat can accumulate for a number of reasons. People with a family history of sagging skin or stubborn fat are more likely to develop a double chin. Weight fluctuations can also lead to a double chin as the skin expands and contracts. Age is another factor in the development of a double chin, as the skin loses elasticity over the years. It may be difficult to prevent a double chin from developing, but at least it is possible to reduce it once it is there.
Natural ways to reduce your double chin.
Believe it or not, eliminating your double chin can start at home. Exercise is a natural way to burn fat in our bodies. So, if you exercise the muscles around your double chin, you can gradually get rid of this submental fat. Of course, you need to do these exercises regularly to get the best results. Some of these facial exercises are:
- Slow neck twists/rolls
- Stretching your tongue up and out in 10-second intervals
- Chin presses with or without the help of a resistance ball
- Advancing the lower jaw forward and holding it there
- Pursing the lips while tilting the head backward
Even regular gum chewing can get your jaw muscles moving and slowly but surely burn off that stubborn double chin fat. Regular full-body workouts (both cardio and strength training) will also help reduce your lower chin and, as a bonus, promote your body’s overall health.
Focusing on diet can also help you get rid of your extra chin. Try to eat more vegetables and fruits every day, and stay away from processed and fried foods, as well as those high in sugar and fat. However, some fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids, can be beneficial for your skin and overall health. Avocados, nuts, olive oil and fish contain these healthy fats. By focusing on your diet, not only can you lose weight, but you can also lose some of the submental fat that is responsible for your double chin.
Treatments for your double chin
In some cases, your double chin will persist no matter how healthy you are overall. This is where cosmetic dermatology treatments come into play. These treatments target stubborn fat that neither exercise nor diet can combat.
Moisturizers for the face
Moisturizers that contain certain vitamins and plant extracts can help tighten, hydrate and give your skin a youthful appearance. Look for products that are specifically labeled for firming the neck. These often contain vitamin C, green tea extracts, collagen and other products.
Applicators, bands and mouthpieces.
A number of devices can also be used to reduce your double chin. Chin applicators adhere to the skin and are enriched with substances such as collagen, caffeine and vitamins to restore skin elasticity. Facial bands or belts attach to the face and gently tighten the skin in the submental area. And mouthpieces help perform jaw exercises that stimulate muscle growth and burn fat.
Massagers
Massagers designed for neck tightening can also be helpful in reducing your double chin. These devices can stimulate collagen production for more elastic skin, burn fat and promote blood circulation.
Lipolysis treatments
If you want faster results, you can undergo lipolysis treatments to get rid of your double chin. There are two main types of lipolysis treatments to reduce double chin: injection and laser.
Injection lipolysis involves injecting a solution that dissolves the fat cells and reduces the double chin. Patients must receive this treatment several times, 4-6 weeks apart, to achieve the best results. Laser lipolysis also targets the fat cells, but is non-invasive and melts the fat through the heat energy of a laser beam. Both procedures are relatively painless, but side effects such as swelling, bruising and pain afterwards are possible.
Mesotherapy (Kybella)
Mesotherapy is similar to injection lipolysis in that it also involves the targeted injection of a solution (deoxycholic acid, known as Kybella) that eliminates stubborn fat cells. However, mesotherapy refers to injections into the mesoderm, while injection lipolysis targets subcutaneous fat.
Note that other cosmetic dermatology injections such as Botox and Juvederm are not related to these fat dissolving injections.
Coolsculpting
Another option for reducing your double chin is CoolSculpting®. In some ways, CoolSculpting works similarly to laser lipolysis, but instead of melting fat cells, it freezes them. These dead fat cells are eventually rejected by the body, giving you a more defined chin. CoolSculpting is also used to eliminate stubborn fat in other areas of the body, particularly the abdomen, thighs and back.
If you are tired of your chin’s fatty partner, any of these treatments or a combination of them can return your chin to single status. Certain methods may be more or less effective in your particular case, so talk to your doctor or dermatologist to find the best treatment for you.
