What Causes a Double Chin?

If you hate your double chin, you definitely aren’t alone. A whopping 49% of adults say they don’t like the way the area under their chin looks and find themselves asking what causes a double chin?

The face is the first thing others notice about us. And in today’s digital world of Zoom calls and conferences, your colleagues literally only see you from the neck up. So, it’s no wonder so many spend their time looking at themselves during conference calls.

Ready to change the way you feel about your appearance? Then you better keep reading for everything you need to know about double chin treatments and more.

What Exactly Is a Double Chin?

A double chin occurs when submental fat builds up between your jawline and the top of your neck. The accumulation of fat strains your jaw and neck muscles, and the surrounding skin begins to sag.

Sagging skin eventually causes a wrinkle to develop between your chin and the submental fat deposit. And this is what gives the appearance of having two chins.

So, let’s sum this up. Double chins are actually caused by three problems: fat accumulation, muscle loss, and sagging skin. If you want to minimize the appearance of your double chin, you need to treat one or more of these issues.

Double Chin Causes

Most people think that obesity is the sole cause of a saggy double chin. But this actually isn’t true. Weight gain can contribute to a double chin but so, too, can genetics, the natural aging process, and poor posture.

Here are 4 causes of double chins.

Weight Gain

Not everyone who’s overweight has a double chin. And not everyone with a double chin is overweight.

Still, it’s a good rule of thumb that fat accumulation in the face makes the risk of getting a double chin higher. The more weight you gain, the less space you’ll have on your face for fat. And this can ultimately lead to a double chin.

Genetics

Are you the only member of your family with a double chin? If not, genetics may be to blame. Certain genes make people more likely to hold onto fat on the chin, neck, and elsewhere.

Your genetic makeup also determines the length of your jawline and the prominence of your chin. If you’re predisposed to a shorter jawline or a weak chin, you’re more likely to deal with the appearance of a double chin.

Aging

As you age, your muscles start to break down. This is also true of the muscles in your chin and neck. When you lose muscle, the skin around the chin becomes looser, making it more likely you’ll have a double chin.

Posture

Bad posture can also weaken your neck muscles. Like aging, this muscle loss can lead to saggy skin around the neck and a double chin.

The good news is that improving your posture may be enough to minimize your double chin. Having better posture can also reduce your risk for other health conditions like back pain, joint degeneration, and even a potbelly.

Natural Ways to Get Rid of a Double Chin

Fat reduction surgeries are often the go-to when it comes to double chin removal. But, before you go seek professional treatment, keep in mind that there are many natural ways to eliminate some of your unsightly neck fat.

All you need may need to do is make a few tweaks to your current lifestyle. Here’s how to get rid of submental fat at home.

Exercise Regularly

We all know that exercise is good for our overall health. It keeps our lungs and heart in good shape. Plus, exercise restores muscle and reduces the risk of bone loss and injury as we get older.

But did you know that exercise can also make submental fat do a disappearing act? It’s true: both full-body and chin and neck exercises can help tighten neck skin, improve muscle strength, and eliminate the appearance of a double chin.

Here’s what you need to do to get that jawline into shape.

First, try to get yourself on a regular fitness routine. It’s recommended that U.S. adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio or 75 minutes of high-intensity cardio each week. Try to shoot for at least two sessions per week of strength training, too.

To really target that submental fat, you can also incorporate weekly facial exercises. This includes slowly rotating your neck, jutting out your lower jaw for extended periods, and tilting your head back while puckering your lips.

Other chin-busting exercises to try are tongue stretches and chin presses.

Tongue stretches require you to stick your tongue out and up for 10 seconds at a time and repeat.

For a chin tuck, sit in a chair, look straight ahead, and put a finger on your chin. Don’t move your finger as you tilt your head back until you feel a stretch; hold for five or more seconds. Bring the chin forward again to touch your finger and repeat the exercise for ten or more reps.

Finally, try something as simple as chewing gum. It may sound crazy, but this can really help reduce chin fat. Gum chewing works out your jaw muscles, which will let you burn any surrounding fat deposits.

Use Skin Firming Moisturizers

Moisture is essential for firm, youthful-looking skin. And when you use moisturizers chock full of skin-tightening nutrients, they work double duty to also eliminate submental fat.

Give your double chin a one-two punch with moisturizers containing neck-firming compounds like collagen, green tea, and Vitamin C. When in doubt, search for a product that mentions neck firming benefits on the label.

Eat a Nutrient-Dense Diet

A nutritious diet is what fuels our bodies throughout the day. Nutrients we get from food also contribute to skin and bone health. Failing to eat a nutrient-dense diet has negative implications for your physical and mental health.

If you eat few nutritious foods, changes to your diet can help improve skin health and reduce body fat. And, of course, these two factors will reduce your sagging jawline.

The US Department of Health and Human Services recommends the following dietary guidelines:

• Eat a variety of foods, including nutrient-dense whole foods and comfort foods in moderation
• Incorporate plenty of fruits, veggies, and whole grains
• Focus on healthy, unsaturated fats and reduce saturated fat consumption
• Consume moderate amounts of added sugars, sodium, and salt

Different foods contain different nutrients, which is why we should always strive to include as many kinds of food as possible in our diets. Also, try to eat comforting, less-nutrient dense foods only a few times a week.

Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains should make up the majority of a healthy diet. It’s recommended that we get 6–11 servings of grains per day. Plus, shoot for at least five daily servings of colorful fruits and veggies.

A healthy diet also includes some unsaturated fats, which can help improve skin elasticity and eliminate sagging. Olives and olive oil, fatty fish, nuts, and avocados are all excellent sources of unsaturated fats.

Try to avoid foods high in unsaturated fat, added sugars, and salt. A good way to do this is to cut back on fast food and other processed meals. Focus on the outer portion of the grocery store when you go shopping.

Get a Neck Massage

Did you know that massage can stimulate collagen production? Collagen is a naturally-occurring substance that keeps our skin looking young and firm. We begin to lose collagen as we age, so massage can help reverse this effect.

Massage can also encourage blood circulation to the region. Increasing the blood flow may help burn fat, too. In fact, a 2016 study on mice found that improved blood flow led to more calories burned compared to controls.

Advanced Double Chin Treatments

By now, you may be wondering: what if the natural methods of eliminating a double chin don’t work for you? Are you stuck with your double chin forever? No!

Luckily, there are many medical treatments out there for stubborn submental fat that just won’t go away with diet and exercise. We’re talking about a few of these groundbreaking treatments next, so you better keep reading!

Chin Lipo

Chin Lipo is a fat reduction procedure. As an almost “incisionless” procedure, small access points are created under the chin for fat removal and typically at the base of the earlobes for contouring of the jawline. The doctor uses the laser to perfectly target the smaller volumes of excess fat or skin under the chin, both breaking up the fat and tightening the loose skin in the process. This means that incisions and any resulting scars are smaller and discrete, while swelling and bruising are minimized.

When the swelling and bruising subside, you will notice a tighter appearance under your chin and a more defined profile. Barring any excess weight gain, the results are permanent.

Ultherapy®

Ultherapy utilizes ultrasound heat technology to stimulate collagen production. And collagen helps tighten skin and reduce wrinkles. The results are firmer, less saggy skin with fewer fine lines.

So, what’s not to love about ultherapy? Ultherapy is not a weight loss procedure. You need to be close to your ideal weight to see the best results from ultherapy for lifting a double chin.

Looking For Double Chin Removal Near You?

Now that you know what causes a double chin. Weight gain, genetics, and age are some of the most common causes of a double chin. The good news is that you can minimize your submental fat with a few healthy lifestyle changes.

If lifestyle changes aren’t enough to get the results you want, it’s time to visit Atlanta Face and Body.

Are you searching for a cosmetic surgeon in Atlanta that can help you with your double chin concerns? Call us today to request a free private consultation with one of our professionals!