What Causes a Double Chin?
What Causes a Double Chin, and How to Get Rid of it
Striking a pose for a selfie sounds quick and easy, but some of us need to position ourselves just right so our double chin doesn’t photobomb us! Even though our bodies may showcase an hourglass figure, that pesky double chin can continue to haunt us. So what causes a double chin, and how do you get rid of it?
What Causes a Double Chin?
Technically, double chins are caused by a layer of fat that gathers around the neck and forces the skin to sag. Some families are predisposed to double chins through genetics, which can affect where fat is stored in the body or determine the bone structure of your chin, while others develop a double chin due to weight gain. For some, even after weight loss, the double chin doesn’t go away.
How to Get Rid of Double Chin Fat
No matter what causes a double chin, there are many solutions to get rid of it. At the Laser and Skin Surgery Center of Indiana, we offer cosmetic treatments to eliminate double chin fat in Indianapolis.
Double Chin Reduction With Liposuction
Liposuction is the process of removing fat cells from areas of the body that don’t respond to diet and exercise. A dermatologic surgeon makes a small incision in the desired area and uses a tube called a cannula to suction out the pockets of fat. This is done using tumescent local anesthesia. The patient is totally awake and conversant throughout the procedure. Because this is a surgical procedure, your recovery time depends on your overall health and can last up to two weeks. You can usually resume normal activities within a week of having a tumescent liposuction procedure, which is our preferred method here at the LASSI.
Kybella: The First Non-Surgical Double Chin Eliminator
If you are not a good candidate for liposuction, or you prefer a non-surgical alternative, Kybella may be an option for you. Kybella is the first non-surgical, FDA-approved double chin eliminator designed to naturally break down fat cells, which are then removed from the body through the lymphatic system. The procedure includes injections of deoxycholic acid, a substance identical to the acid our bodies already use to break down fat cells for absorption.
Kybella treatments take about 20 to 30 minutes, during which time your dermatologic surgeon will use a small-gauge needle to inject the substance into the fat layer. Depending on the size of the treatment area, you could receive anywhere from 1-5 or more painless injections to ensure full coverage. You may also need between three and six sessions. Patients may experience slight swelling and tenderness at the injection site, but this discomfort is easily managed without prescription pain killers.
Freeze Away the Double Chin With CoolSculpting’s CoolMini
A non-invasive, FDA-approved alternative also exists for double chins called CoolSculpting Mini, a controlled cooling technology referred to as cryolipolysis that gently cools the fat cells without damaging surrounding tissues. A small vacuum applicator called CoolMini is placed on the area, and the skin is brought into contact with the cooling panels. The cold creates an anesthetic effect on the area while the fat is cooled over an hour to a fat-freezing temperature. The frozen fat cells are then absorbed by the body and removed, never to return.
This technique has no recovery time. You may experience redness or slight bruising in the area treated, but those effects will be gone within a few hours. You may need multiple treatments, but you will see a noticeable difference in two to three months.
Ready to Get Rid of Your Double Chin?
Now that you understand what causes a double chin and the methods available to get rid of it, where do you go? The Laser and Skin Surgery Center of Indiana (the LASSI) provides both of these wonderful procedures in our Indianapolis dermatology practice. You will meet with dermatologic surgeon Dr. C. William Hanke, a pioneer and innovator in fat reduction techniques, to explore your options. Our team of cosmetic experts will take into account your full medical history to ensure you receive the safest procedure for you, whether that’s Tumescent Liposuction, Kybella or CoolSculpting’s CoolMini. Each option will be discussed with you based on your medical history and the size of the area you want to be reduced.
The first step in ridding yourself of that double chin is scheduling a consultation with Dr. Hanke to see which method is appropriate for you. Call us at (317) 660-4900 to set up an appointment for evaluation today. You have nothing to lose but that extra chin!
