02 Jun Why We Get Double Chins (and What to Do About It)
Anyone can get a double chin, and it doesn’t necessarily have to do with being overweight. At RefinedMD, we offer both surgical and non-surgical solutions for all of your body contouring needs, including Cool Mini and Kybella. But first, let’s consider the cause of this common issue. A double chin is, unfortunately, often associated with being overweight, and it’s definitely true that the more excess weight you carry, the more it will show up—everywhere. Most people who are obese have a double chin. However, there are also plenty of slender people who carry some extra fat under the chin. Oftentimes, it just has to do with genetics. If your parents or grandparents have a double chin and they are at a healthy weight, there’s a good chance you’ll get one, too.
We are all born with a unique number of fat cells and distribution. It’s why we used to separate people into “apple” and “pear” shapes. Some of us carry more weight in our hips, in the chest … and in the submental area. There’s also the jawline to consider. If you have a so-called “weak” jaw or chin, there’s a better chance of having a double chin, too. If you lack the bone structure to camouflage the fat in this area, it’s going to be more prominent. In these cases, losing weight isn’t going to help much with a double chin. Instead, what you need to do is focus on the real cause, which is oftentimes stubborn fat pockets that won’t change much with diet or exercise.
Non-Surgical Preference: Kybella
A lot of people want to avoid surgery, especially when it’s so easy to take care of a concern without anesthesia or downtime. If the cause of your double chin is strictly unwanted fat, Kybella can help. It is a series of injections, typically around four spaced one month apart, and uses a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid. This acid is naturally found in the body and its job is to melt away fat. A series of injections is called for because you definitely don’t want to remove too much fat in this area. Getting rid of too much is going to look even worse than the double chin—which is also why you only want to trust a clinic with reputable and highly skilled injectors.
At each new session, your provider will gauge the effectiveness of the last injection so they can administer just the right amount. We all respond a little differently to this acid, so a customized approach is essential. For those who are used to getting Botox and fillers, the Kybella experience is a little different. It’s injected with a stamp device so there are several needles delivering the product at once. This ensures that a wider area can be treated and minimal injections are used. It’s quick, easy, and very effective.
What to Expect with Kybella
Younger people who only have fat to deal with can see some results about one month after the first injection and full results 3 – 6 months after the final session. But you’ll be falling in love with the continuously improving results throughout this period. However, some people have what they call a “double chin” from a combination of loose skin and unwanted fat. In some cases, it’s just loose skin that’s the actual culprit! When this happens, Kybella isn’t for you. Everyone needs some fat in this area. There are skin tightening procedures that heat up the tissue in order to kick-start collagen production. These procedures are non-invasive and work along a similar timeline as Kybella.
The Facelift Option
If you have severely sagging skin, a neck lift may be the solution. If you are a good candidate for a neck lift, you may also be interested in a facelift (and a neck lift is always part of a facelift!). A consultation with our experts is the first step in your journey, whether you’re interested in Kybella for fat melting or a skin tightening solution. Addressing this area will help you look younger, healthier, and more fit. With Kybella, once fat cells are melted away, they are gone for good. It is, in a way, a permanent solution—but remember that skin will still lose elasticity with age and weight gain can cause nearby fat cells to expand.
To find out more, get in touch with us today. Call RefinedMD to make your consultation appointment or complete the online contact form now.