How to get rid of a double chin is a very common query and obviously affects a lot of people. Unfortunately it often has little to do with your weight, and it rarely budges with diet and exercise alone. The good news is that a double chin is completely harmless. There’s no need to do anything about it unless it bothers you. If it does, there are now plenty of treatments that can soften or remove it. In this article, we’ll review what causes a double chin and the best treatments to help get rid of it.
Please note, we are an online skin clinic so we do not offer injectable or surgical double chin treatments. We have written this because we believe people deserve clear, honest information about all of their options.
What Causes a Double Chin?
A double chin is simply a pad of excess fat under the chin, known as submental fat. It’s very common and several things contribute to it:
- Genetics: Some people are simply more prone to storing fat under the chin. You can be slim and still have a double chin if it runs in your family.
- Ageing: As we age, the skin loosens and the neck muscles weaken. This makes any fat in the area more obvious.
- Weight gain: Carrying extra weight adds fat under the chin. Losing weight again doesn’t always clear it though.
- Skin laxity: Sometimes the issue is loose skin or a small, set-back chin rather than the fat itself.
Working out which of these is driving your double chin matters, because it points to the right treatment. Often more than one factor is involved, so a combination of treatments can work best. Above all, remember it’s harmless, so it’s only worth treating if it bothers you.
Fat-Dissolving Injections
Fat-dissolving injections like Kybella, Belkyra and Aqualyx contain deoxycholic acid. This is a molecule your body uses to break down dietary fat. Injected under the chin, it destroys the fat cells, so the reduction is permanent unless you regain weight. A phase 3 trial found that most people saw a clear improvement after a course of treatment. Most patients need 2 to 3 sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. The exact number depends on the size of your double chin and how your cells respond.
Whilst these injections work well as an alternative to surgery, they come with real downtime. Swelling is very common and can last for weeks, sometimes giving a temporary “bullfrog” appearance. Bruising, numbness and small lumps are also normal early on. More serious problems like infection, allergy or nerve injury are rare, especially with an experienced practitioner.
CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting uses a technology called cryolipolysis to freeze and destroy fat cells. The applicator sits on the surface of the skin, so there are no needles. As with fat-dissolving injections, most people need a course of sessions a few weeks apart. Side effects tend to be mild and include temporary numbness, redness, bruising and swelling.
There is one rare but important complication to know about, called paradoxical adipose hyperplasia, where the treated fat grows rather than shrinks. The model Linda Evangelista brought it to wider attention. The FDA has since recalled the devices in the US and Canada, though not in the UK. Given that uncertainty, it’s sensible to wait for more clarity. Only consider CoolSculpting after a detailed consultation with a medical provider.
Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)
High-intensity focused ultrasound, or HIFU, uses ultrasound energy to heat and destroy fat cells under the skin. The heat also reaches the overlying skin and triggers your own collagen production. This means it tightens as well as slims. That makes it a good option for a mild double chin with a little skin laxity, rather than a large fat pad. Most people need a course of 2 to 4 sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. Side effects such as pain, swelling and bruising are common, whilst lumps or asymmetry are rare.
Botox & Dermal Fillers
Whilst Botox and dermal fillers won’t remove the fat under your chin, they can improve how the lower face looks. Botox relaxes the platysma, the broad neck muscle that pulls down on the jawline. When that muscle is relaxed, the jaw gets a subtle lift, which softens the look of a double chin. Dermal fillers take a different approach. They sculpt the chin and jawline so the profile looks more defined and the fullness underneath draws less attention. The two are often used together.
The key thing to understand is that these treatments disguise a double chin rather than reduce it. The results are temporary, usually lasting somewhere between 6 and 24 months, and filler can be dissolved if you’re unhappy. As with any injectable, you can get swelling and bruising. More rarely there is infection, lumps or, with filler, vascular occlusion. A skilled, qualified medical injector keeps these risks low.
Skincare & Professional Skin Treatments
Whilst topical treatments can’t reduce the size of a double chin, they can improve the quality of the skin over the area. This helps the lower face look firmer and smoother. Prescription retinoids like tretinoin work by boosting your skin’s collagen and elastin. Over a few months this leaves the skin tighter, plumper and more even. There are also professional skin-tightening treatments like skin boosters and radiofrequency microneedling that work in a similar way. None of these will shift the fat itself. But where loose skin rather than fat is the main problem, they can make a real difference and support any other treatment you have.
Surgical Double Chin Treatments
For a larger fat pad or significant loose skin, surgery gives the most dramatic and longest-lasting results. Chin liposuction removes the fat directly through a small cannula. A lower face or neck lift goes further, taking away both excess fat and loose skin. The two are sometimes used together, depending on your skin and the amount of fat. The trade-off is downtime. There’s usually a fair amount of swelling and bruising, you’ll need a compression garment for a while, and you may need time off work. As with any operation, there are risks too. These include bleeding, infection, scarring, nerve injury and asymmetry, along with the usual considerations of a general anaesthetic. A trained, experienced surgeon keeps these to a minimum.
There’s no single best treatment, because the right one depends on what’s causing your double chin and how much change you want. If it’s mostly fat, fat-dissolving injections, CoolSculpting or surgery target it directly. If it’s more about loose skin, HIFU, skincare and skin-tightening treatments are better suited. And if a weak or receding chin is part of the picture, fillers or chin enhancement can help the balance. Your skin quality, general health, budget and goals all feed into the decision too. The sensible first step is an honest assessment with a qualified professional. A dermatologist, plastic surgeon or aesthetic doctor can help match the treatment to the cause, your goals and overall health.
At City Skin Clinic, we don’t provide injectable or surgical double chin treatments. We do however offer personalised skin ageing treatments using ingredients like tretinoin and azelaic acid where appropriate, tailored to suit your individual needs. Start a virtual consultation with one of our doctors and take your first step towards better skin.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified medical provider for any medical concerns or questions you might have.
