Many people feel self-conscious about the appearance of a double chin, even if they are otherwise fit and healthy. Submental fullness, also called a double chin, can subtly age the face or create the impression of extra weight, impacting confidence and how you feel in photos or social settings.
While many people try to address a double chin with diet and exercise, these methods may not always be effective for localized fat under the chin. At UnionDerm, we specialize in safe, non-surgical solutions that target stubborn chin fat, helping you achieve a smoother, more defined jawline without surgery or extended downtime.
What is Submental Fat (Double Chin)?
A double chin, also known as submental fullness, occurs when a layer of fat forms beneath the chin. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including genetics, natural aging, or weight gain. While it’s a common concern, a double chin can make the face appear older or heavier than it truly is. Many patients feel self-conscious about this area, and addressing it can create a more defined jawline and overall refreshed appearance.
While weight loss through diet and exercise can help reduce overall body fat, it may not always eliminate submental fullness, which sometimes requires targeted treatments. Submental fullness is caused by subcutaneous fat, the layer of fat just beneath the skin. Diet and exercise can help reduce overall body fat, including chin fat, but spot reduction is difficult.
Causes of Double Chin
A double chin can develop for a variety of reasons. Knowing the underlying cause can help you and your dermatologist create a personalized treatment plan that delivers optimal results.
Genetics play a significant role in fat accumulation beneath the chin. If your family members have a tendency to store fat in the submental area, you may be more likely to develop a double chin, regardless of your overall body weight or healthy lifestyle habits.
Weight gain is another common factor. When you gain weight, fat cells can accumulate in various parts of the body, including the chin area. Even after weight loss, some people may find that excess fat lingers in the submental area, making it difficult to get rid of healthy habits.
Aging naturally affects the skin and muscles. As we age, our skin loses elasticity and the muscles supporting the chin and neck can weaken. This combination often leads to sagging skin and the appearance of a double chin, even in individuals who maintain a healthy weight.
Excess skin in the neck and chin area may result from significant weight loss, aging, or genetics. When the skin loses its ability to snap back after stretching, it can create the appearance of a double chin, even if there is not a large amount of underlying fat.
Other contributing factors include fat accumulation in the submental area, reduced skin elasticity, and muscle weakness in the neck and chin. These factors can all combine to make the chin area appear fuller or less defined.
Because the causes of a double chin are often multifactorial, a personalized treatment plan is essential. Addressing submental fat may involve a combination of healthy diet and exercise, maintaining a stable body weight, and professional aesthetic treatment sessions.
By understanding the unique factors contributing to your double chin, you and your dermatologist can work together to develop a plan tailored to your needs.
Why Choose UnionDerm for Double Chin Treatments?
At UnionDerm, we understand that addressing a double chin is about more than just reducing fat; it’s about achieving a naturally contoured, balanced profile that enhances your confidence. Our board-certified dermatologists are recognized leaders in cosmetic dermatology, with extensive experience in non-surgical facial contouring and body sculpting. Patients choose UnionDerm because we combine clinical expertise with a deep understanding of aesthetic harmony, ensuring results that look natural and complement each individual’s features.
Medical Director Dr. Anne Chapas is widely respected for her contributions to advancing non-surgical fat reduction techniques, including her involvement in the clinical trials that brought CoolSculpting to market and her early work training physicians nationwide in the use of Kybella. Our team’s leadership in research and innovation ensures that every treatment plan is grounded in evidence-based care, personalized to your anatomy, and focused on achieving long-lasting, natural-looking results.
At UnionDerm, you’re not just receiving a procedure; you’re gaining the expertise of a dermatology team committed to safety, precision, and aesthetic excellence. From your initial consultation through your follow-up care, we prioritize your comfort, goals, and confidence at every step.
Double Chin Treatment Options
According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, roughly 70% of consumers report being bothered by submental fullness. At UnionDerm, our board-certified dermatologists offer expert care and the most effective nonsurgical solutions for double chin reduction: CoolSculpting, Kybella, and Ultherapy.
CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting is a non-surgical fat reduction treatment that uses controlled cooling, or cryolipolysis, for localized fat reduction beneath the chin. The procedure takes about 45 minutes and is minimally uncomfortable, allowing you to return to daily activities immediately.
CoolSculpting is FDA approved, works by cooling fat in the treatment area to a temperature that destroys fat cells while leaving skin and other tissues unharmed, and is considered safe and effective with mild and rare side effects. CoolSculpting is not a substitute for losing weight; it is designed to target stubborn fat pockets in the same area for improved contour. CoolSculpting destroys about 20%-25% of the fat cells in the targeted area during each session, and most patients require multiple sessions for optimal results.
Results develop gradually over a few months (typically 2–3 months) as the body naturally processes and eliminates the treated fat cells. Other studies also support the safety and effectiveness of CoolSculpting. UnionDerm also offers DualSculpting, which lets you treat your chin and another area of concern simultaneously for added efficiency and convenience. This approach is ideal for patients seeking a defined jawline without surgery or downtime.
Kybella
Kybella treatment is an FDA-approved, non-surgical procedure, approved in April 2015, designed to dissolve submental fat using a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the body that helps break down dietary fat.
Kybella is administered through a series of injections that deliver deoxycholic acid directly into the fat beneath the chin by a trained specialist. Kybella’s active ingredient dissolves submental fat when injected, providing a safe, minimally invasive, and permanent solution for double chin reduction. A local anesthetic may be used to numb the area during the procedure for patient comfort. Kybella is typically administered in the same area (submental region) to specifically target and reduce fat under the chin.
Patients who have received Kybella typically require multiple sessions, with up to six treatments spaced several weeks apart, to achieve optimal results. Treatments are customized to each patient, and while multiple sessions may be recommended for optimal results, the procedure is non-surgical and has minimal downtime. Some patients may experience mild swelling or redness, but most can resume normal activities shortly after treatment. Kybella is a long-lasting solution for those seeking a significant improvement in submental fullness without undergoing surgery like a neck lift.
Ultherapy
Ultherapy is a non-invasive, FDA-cleared treatment that uses focused ultrasound energy to tighten and lift the skin beneath the chin and along the jawline. Unlike treatments that target fat, Ultherapy addresses skin laxity by stimulating the body’s natural collagen and elastin production, making it an ideal option for patients whose double chin appearance is caused by loose or sagging skin rather than excess fat.
During the procedure, ultrasound energy is delivered to precise depths beneath the skin without affecting the surface. This energy triggers a regenerative response that gradually firms and tightens the treated area over time. Treatments typically take 30–60 minutes, and no downtime is required, allowing patients to return to normal activities immediately.
Results develop gradually over 2–3 months as new collagen forms, with continued improvement for up to six months. Ultherapy is often recommended for patients seeking improved definition of the chin and jawline without injections or surgery, and may be combined with treatments like CoolSculpting or Kybella for comprehensive double chin correction based on individual anatomy and goals.
Schedule a Consultation
The first step to a defined, rejuvenated profile is a personalized consultation with one of UnionDerm’s board-certified dermatologists. During your visit, we will assess your submental area, discuss your aesthetic goals, and design a treatment plan tailored specifically to you.
UnionDerm has multiple convenient locations in New York City (Union Square and Central Park), the Hamptons (Water Mill, NY), and Greenwich, CT. Our team combines clinical expertise, cutting-edge technology, and a patient-centered approach to deliver natural-looking, lasting results.
Take the first step toward a more confident you and schedule your consultation today.
