How To Get Rid Of Chin Fat

Even beauty journalists experience the desire to know how to get rid of a double chin. That's why Amy Lawrenson called upon all her industry insider contacts to get all the answers.

The loss of definition in your jawline can creep up quite unexpectedly. One minute, it's all gravy. The next you're desperately searching for how to get rid of a double chin and double chin removal. Not to mention the endless examinations happening in your front-facing camera. I started to notice my freshly minted blurred jaw/chin in photos a few months ago.

And I'm not alone: Patrick Mallucci, the founder of aesthetic clinic Mallucci London, has seen a boom in people focusing on their chin over the last two years (and subsequently wanting to know how to lose a double chin, too): 'There's a real focus on dealing with when the jawline blends into the neck without any definition,' he says.

We'll get into it more later but, before you scroll on, please remember that a double chin is nothing to worry about if there are no underlying health concerns causing it. For me, it was a confidence knocker, and so something that I wanted to find out more about.

What are the reasons for having a double chin?

Genetics
Small chin and jawbone
Weaker neck muscles
Obesity
Bad posture

Whilst a double chin can be related to carrying excess body fat Sophie Shotter, founder and medical director at Illuminate Skin Clinic, says 'it's absolutely possible to be a very normal, healthy weight and have a double chin. All of us have different fat distributions which are determined genetically and during our development in puberty.

'For some people, one of these fat pads sits underneath the chin. Another contributing factor can be having a small chin and jaw bone, which can mean that the fat underneath the chin doesn't have much support and so looks like a double chin.'

In other cases 'a double chin is a sign of a weak platysma muscle (neck muscle),' says Nataliya Robinson, facialist and founder of Quantum Botanika. 'This muscle goes around the neck to the lower face and ages quicker than any other facial muscle.'

Mr Kambiz Golchin, an ENT doctor, adds that 'changes relating to skin and muscle laxity and even bad posture,' can cause a double chin, going on to describe that around 70% of adults have one.

Is having a double chin something to worry about?

Usually, no. There are many, naturally occurring reasons for a double chin – genetics and small bone structure being just a couple. However, if you feel that you have a double chin due to carrying too much body fat or are experiencing swelling due to a medical condition or medication, it's a good idea to chat to your GP. They'll set you right and, if necessary, help you with actionable ways to lose body fat or lose weight well.

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How long does it take to get rid of a double chin?

The answer to this question will really depend on the reason for your double chin. If you believe it to be due to excess body fat, a double chin should reduce as you reach a healthy body composition. Most experts suggest 1lb of weight loss a week to be a safe rate – eating and exercising in a calorie deficit.

If, however, it's due to medication, swelling, a chronic condition it could take more or less time – we'd recommend speaking to your GP if you're wondering about timelines.

Finally, if you believe your double chin to be a genetic feature, it might not go away, even if you're at a healthy body weight and body fat percentage. Try not to stress if this is the case – a double chin is no marker of beauty. Focus on the things about yourself you do love and appreciate, instead.

Do double chin exercises works?

The jury is out on this one. Dr David Jack, an aesthetic doctor, says, 'facial exercises strengthen the platysma muscle and are likely to worsen the appearance of a double chin, and also contribute to the downwards pull of the lower face....the opposite of the desired effect.'

However, some swear by them, including Inge Theron, the founder of FaceGym, who recommends trying these two simple chin exercises every morning and evening. 'You have to be consistent with them. Do each of the following exercises 10 times,' she says.

Double chin exercise 1: The Thinker

Make a fist and rest your chin on it, like you're feeling the weight of the day.
While you maintain the upward pressure from your fist, open your mouth against that pressure, and then close again.
Keep opening and closing while maintaining the pressure from your fist. Do this 10 times, it will burn but it's worth it.

Double chin exercise 2: Chin Press Up

Make a V with your hand and rest your chin in the V. Pull your lips over your top teeth hold for 5 seconds and repeat (do this 10 times).
Move the hand to either side of the chin with the length of your fingers covering your ears, and make the sound 'eeeee' with your mouth 10 times.
Now, put your ring fingers inside your mouth on either side, pull the skin to the side and use your jaw muscles to bring the fingers back in to touch your teeth.

For an overall toned and lifted complexion you could try the FaceGym Pro, £429, an electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) devise that emits a mild, yet forceful electrical waves to stimulate muscles. It's spenny, but if it's within budget for you, then get around it.

Golchin also recommends working on your overall posture which can help give the illusion of a smaller double chin.

Do skincare products work on a double chin?

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'Unfortunately, there is nothing topical that will reduce a double chin,' Shotter tells WH.

Dr Jack agrees: 'Since a double chin is often due to deeper structures than the skin itself, it is unlikely that any skincare products would realistically do anything to improve the appearance of a double chin.'

However, Shotter does note that skincare products can improve the quality of the neck skin which is no bad thing, especially as this thinner skin can age faster than elsewhere (just like the skin on the back of our hands and around our eyes).

'My favourite is the Neostrata Triple Firming Neck Cream. Keeping the skin firm and in good condition can help the overall appearance of the neck and double chin, and keep the skin firmer so that the fat pad doesn't drop down as much.'

Can you get rid of a double chin with treatments?

If you exercise and eat well, have tried improving your posture and given some chin exercises a try, it's likely that you may still have double chin woes. All the experts agree that if you want to get rid of a double chin you need to look to more serious treatments but it's definitely not something to enter into lightly.

'There are a number of treatments, both surgical and non-surgical that can be used to improve the neck and jawline, which will reduce the appearance of a double chin,' says Dr Jack.

5 treatments to get rid of a double chin

Remember, these treatments are not for everyone. If you (and your doctor) feel they're appropriate, then that's fine too. If you'd prefer not to partake, that's also fine. It's totally individual and whatever you choose to do with your face is great.

If you are tempted to try and of the treatments listed below, it's worth doing your research, looking at testimonials and not rushing into anything. 'The key thing is the proper assessment of the patient to identify the cause of the double chin and creating a bespoke plan to address those issues,' says Golchin.

1. Liposuction

This is tried and tested, there is downtime involved where you will need to wear a compression garment.
Cost: £3000+.
Results: It does work and offers long-term results.

2. Kybella

This double chin removal technique works with fat melting injections, you will get pain and considerable swelling (a little like a bullfrog!) and may need more than one session.
Cost: around £1000.
Results: Very good.

3. Nefertiti Lift

This uses Botulinum toxin to relax the neck muscles, creating an upward pull of the facial muscles resulting in a sharper jawline. Dermal fillers can also be used to define the jawline and improve the contour.
Cost: around £350-500 for Botox and around £1000-3000 for fillers.
Results: Good, but only lasts 6-12 months.

4. Coolsculpting Mini

You lie back and relax whilst the machine freezes your fat cells to around -11 degrees, permanently killing around 25% of the cells in that area.
Cost: £350-700
Results: Good, but they can vary from person to person. Both Mallucci and Shotter like to combine CoolSculpting Mini with filler for results that can last up to two years.

5. High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) and Radio-Frequency (RF)

These work to tighten loose skin, ideal if you have lost weight and that's the cause of your double chin. They get rid of minimal fat. Look out for machine brand names Morpheus8 and Ultherapy. Downtime is a couple of days.
Cost: around £3000
Results: Good for tightening.

A final word

Whether you have a double chin or do not, you are just as worthy of acceptance and love. If you choose to enter into the process of removing or reducing it, please do so after robust research and honest conversations with a medical professional.

Amy Lawrenson WH contributor Amy Lawrenson is an established health and beauty journalist with over 13 years experience working for titles including ELLE, Women's Health and Byrdie.

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