Caused by excess weight or genetic predispositions and worsened by aging and skin laxity, excess fat around the chin and neck (commonly known as a "double chin") can be effectively removed with medical techniques (Cryolipolysis with CoolMini, ONDA Coolwaves) or cosmetic surgery techniques (submental liposuction, LVPA facelift).
Causes of a double chin
The term "double chin" refers to the presence of localized excess fat between the chin and neck. A double chin distorts the facial oval, makes it heavier, and prematurely ages it.
Two main causes are responsible for the loss of definition of the oval, resulting in a less clean, less well-defined contour:
- a submental fat deposit causing a double chin and a loss of definition of the cervico-mental angle.
- age-related skin laxity, with changes to facial structures, the appearance of jowls, and a loss of definition of the cervico-mental angle.
Who is affected by a double chin?
In younger patients, the appearance of a double chin is generally linked to being overweight or obese. The neck is one of the first areas of the body to be affected by significant weight gain. The presence of a double chin can also be explained by genetic predispositions.
In older patients, excess weight is not the only factor explaining the development of a double chin. Facial aging, particularly the laxity of the skin and muscles of the facial oval, promotes the ptosis of tissues located around the neck and chin.
How to get rid of a double chin?
It can be difficult to get rid of a double chin, since it is located in an area of the face where the skin is particularly thin and cannot easily be toned through facial exercises. In the case of a double chin linked to significant weight gain, a simple diet is often not enough to reduce the presence of a double chin. Indeed, weight gain is often accompanied by muscle and skin laxity.
Several medical and cosmetic surgery techniques effectively remove the presence of a double chin: cryolipolysis with CoolMini, liposuction, or a facelift.
Losing your double chin with CoolMini cryolipolysis
Cryolipolysis is an aesthetic medicine technique that permanently removes localized fat deposits. Cryolipolysis uses the destructive action of cold on fat cells to remove fatty tissue.
The advantage of cryolipolysis over other fat-removal techniques (liposuction, lipoplasty) lies in the fact that it is a non-invasive procedure, meaning no scarring and no anesthesia. A cryolipolysis session is performed at the surgeon's practice. While an intense cold sensation is felt at the start of the session, the action of the cold quickly numbs the skin and the session is completely painless. Daily activities can resume immediately after the treatment.
CoolMini specifics
CoolMini is a handpiece for the Coolsculpting cryolipolysis device that treats small areas of the body such as the neck and chin. CoolMini is particularly effective for removing a double chin.
Since the fat cells damaged by the cold's action are gradually eliminated by the body, the result is not visible immediately after the procedure. The reduction of the double chin is observed starting at 2 to 3 weeks, and the result can be considered final after 10 to 12 weeks.
Result on double chin fat
The result on the double chin is long-lasting, since the fat cells destroyed by the cold's action are permanently removed. However, maintaining good dietary habits is necessary to sustain the result.
A second cryolipolysis session may be necessary to achieve an optimal result in removing a double chin. The two cryolipolysis sessions are then spaced about 6 weeks apart.
While cryolipolysis effectively reduces excess fat around the chin, a cosmetic surgery procedure may be more suitable if the neck tissues are particularly lax.
> Learn more about cryolipolysis with Coolsculpting
> Removing localized fat around the neck and chin with CoolMini
Treating localized neck fat with ONDA Coolwaves
ONDA Coolwaves is an innovative body-contouring treatment based on the action of electromagnetic microwaves from Coolwaves™ technology. These waves, at a frequency of 2.45 GHz, excel at treating fat, cellulite and skin laxity. These waves have the characteristic of accelerating the metabolism of fat cells, which "sweat" until they disappear and are then eliminated by the body.
For double-chin treatment, the ONDA Coolwaves device offers two types of action:
- On one hand, it reduces localized fat: altering the membrane of subcutaneous fat cells. The fat is then drained thanks to the stimulation of natural metabolic processes (macrophage lipolysis).
- On the other hand, it firms the skin of the neck: The microwaves of the ONDA system cause an immediate tightening of collagen fibers in the dermis and stimulate the production of new collagen. Tissues are firmed and toned.
ONDA treatment for neck skin laxity
Double chin treatment with ONDA Coolwaves
Treatment of neck fat
> Learn more about ONDA Coolwaves
Submental liposuction
Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery technique that permanently and radically removes localized fat deposits. It is not a weight-loss cure, but a technique for reshaping contours, which notably removes excess fat that is difficult to lose through diet or exercise.
While liposuction is often used to slim the silhouette (thighs, hips, abdomen, buttocks), it is also a technique that proves particularly effective on the face: cheeks, jowls, neck and double chin. This is referred to as submental liposuction.
The principle of face liposuction involves inserting cannulas through short incisions to suction the fat cells (deep and superficial). The amount of fat suctioned is determined by the surgeon based on the quality of the skin and the area treated.
What happens during the procedure
The procedure is generally performed under anesthesia on an outpatient basis. Discomfort and pain caused by liposuction are generally moderate, but bruising and slight edema may appear in the treated area for a few days.
Results of submental liposuction
The result of submental liposuction is long-lasting as long as there is no weight regain.
The quality of the skin and the condition of the neck's muscle band are the main factors to consider when determining whether liposuction is suitable for reducing or even removing a double chin. If skin retraction does not occur properly, "bands" and skin folds may appear and could compromise the quality of the result. In this case, a facelift seems a more suitable technique for treating facial oval laxity.
> Learn more about face and neck liposuction
Removing a double chin with a facelift
A facelift is a cosmetic facial surgery technique that corrects facial sagging and the loss of volume of the facial oval.
LVPA facelift specifics
Dr. CĂ©dric Kron developed the LVPA facelift (deep anterior vertical facelift), which addresses more or less extensive areas of the face and neck. It corrects the aging of the cheeks, jowls, neck and double chin in the same operative session. The LVPA facelift involves redraping the skin and re-tensioning the muscles.
Neck lift by platysmaplasty
A skin-and-muscle platysmaplasty can be considered a neck lift, as its goal is to fight the signs of time by redraping the lax skin and muscles of the neck. While it can be performed on its own to treat very localized neck laxity, it can also be combined with the LVPA facelift technique to achieve a very significant and lasting rejuvenation of the facial oval.
If localized fat deposits are present, these are resected during the procedure. It should be noted that these fat deposits are located behind the muscle and are therefore not accessible by liposuction.
Combining a facelift with liposuction
In case of localized excess fat (double chin), the facelift can include lipoplasty to remove the fat. The LVPA facelift acts deeply, achieving a dramatic and lasting result, with very mild recovery and virtually invisible scars hidden within the ears. Unlike liposuction, the LVPA facelift does not involve bruising in the neck.
A facelift is particularly indicated when the presence of a double chin is associated with other signs of facial aging: development of jowls, deepening wrinkles, loss of the facial oval.
> Learn more about the LVPA facelift
Before-after: double chin removal
Double chin treatment with platysmaplasty (neck lift)
Double chin treatment with cryolipolysis
Double chin and neck fat treatment with ONDA Coolwaves
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