Extra fat underneath one’s chin can be a source of insecurity for many people, but thankfully, the field of cosmetics has several different solutions. Going under the knife is just one of many ways to alleviate excess double-chin fat, according to Dr. Konstantin’s recent interview in the Daily Beast’s How to Get Rid of a Double Chin Without Surgery. But are these methods as effective as one might think?
Colloquially called a “double chin,” submental fat is the technical term for the area under the jaw that stores fat. Some are predisposed to having more noticeable submental fat than others due to genetics, Dr. Konstantin says. And like many other things, with age, it tends to worsen. Not many people realize that there are two kinds of fat that can cause more prominent fullness under the chin: subcutaneous fat, which is the layer directly under the skin, and subplatysmal fat, which is a deeper layer under the muscle. That deeper layer is much harder to remove, and typically requires a surgical procedure to achieve the desired effect.
Home Remedies for Double Chin
Rather than opting for a procedure to eliminate their double chin fat, some people would rather roll up their sleeves and get some beauty tools of their own. With techniques like a gua sha, facial massage, or facial yoga, melting away a double chin seems easy enough to do at home. Unfortunately, beauty tools can only take one so far.
The Daily Beast’s article briefly discusses the benefits of a gua sha, an ancient Chinese tool often made from rose quartz or jade. When rubbed on the skin in certain movements, it can create a jawline-slimming effect. A gua sha is a great way to promote lymphatic drainage and blood flow to the face, Dr. Konstantin says – but don’t expect that it’ll slim your jawline the same way that a medical procedure would.
Dr. Konstantin also notes that while the effects of a facial massage don’t necessarily include fat reduction, massages can promote good blood flow – because when blood flow is limited, that’s when the skin starts aging. However, trends like “facial yoga” that encourage the engagement of various muscles on one’s face can work counterintuitively, creating even more wrinkles or sagging skin.
Pros and Cons of Coolsculpting
In 2008, a new procedure emerged on the plastic surgery scene in the field of ‘cryolipolysis,’ or fat-freezing technology: Coolsculpting. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Coolsculpting allegedly attacks fat cells using sub-zero temperatures. Those cells then become crystallized and then dissolve, resulting in the appearance of a slimmer jawline. Target results are often achieved after three treatments to the area.
While Coolsculpting might be helpful for some patients, Dr. Konstantin says, there are mixed reviews regarding its efficacy. While it may create a noticeable difference for some patients, the effectiveness of the procedure could vary from patient to patient.
Kybella: A Tried and True Method
For procedures that go beyond the surface of the skin, look no further than fat-reducing injectables — the most famous being Kybella. Kybella is a synthetic version of deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring substance that breaks down fats in one’s digestive system. When injected into various parts of the body (including under the chin), it breaks down fat cells in the area.
As an “old school treatment” for fat dissolving, Dr. Konstantin says that Kybella can create more visually dramatic results than Coolsculpting. However, he adds, Kybella isn’t right for everyone. It can often take up to three treatments to see any noticeable change, and for many, the intense and prolonged swelling (that can sometimes take up to three weeks to completely go down) can be a massive impediment to one’s daily life.
Radio-Frequency Treatments: A New Frontier
When it comes to non-surgical fat reduction, in Dr. Konstantin’s opinion, radio-frequency treatments like Morpheus8 are by far the most effective non-surgical treatment for fat reduction with a downtime still below their surgical counterparts. Like Coolsculpting uses cold to freeze fat cells, radio-frequency devices use heat created by safe electromagnetic waves to dissolve fat cells. Unlike Coolsculpting, though, radio-frequency devices have noticeable results after the first treatment – and stars like Kim Kardashian swear by it.
Like any procedure listed, Morpheus8 isn’t a “one size fits all” kind of treatment. It works so well that sometimes, Dr. Konstantin says, it’s too effective – meaning that sometimes, it’s hard to gauge how much fat you’re going to actually remove, given that everyone’s body reacts differently. Surgery oftentimes could be a lot more precise, he adds, and the results are typically more predictable.
The Verdict: Every Double Chin is Different
Non-invasive procedures sound like a way to avoid long recovery times or the risks of surgery, yet do have their limitations. Most of them do not address a substantial layer of fat underneath the muscle – subplatysmal fat. Non-surgical technologies simply don’t have the capability to reach those deeper layers. However, they can remain an effective option for those who are not ready to go under the knife.
Ultimately, for any kind of double-chin fat reduction, surgery still remains a gold standard for patients who want a more comprehensive result that targets both subcutaneous fat and subplatysmal fat. If you would like to know more about surgical solutions for double chin fat reduction, contact us and book a consultation with New York’s top facial plastic surgeon, Konstantin Vasyukevich, MD.
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