We look at a double chin in three parts: ① submental fat ② sagging skin and soft tissue ③ jaw and neck structure. If fat is the main cause, fat-dissolving injections or submental liposuction; if sagging is also present, elasticity improvement is planned together. Removing fat first regardless can actually make loose skin more visible.
Contents
How can I check for a double chin at home?
Check the front and the side view separately. The more of the following apply, the more submental fat or skin sagging can be suspected.
- When you pinch under your chin, a thick layer of fat can be grasped
- In profile, the area under the chin sticks out before the jawline
- Even without lowering your head, the boundary between jaw and neck is blurred
- Your weight has dropped, but the fullness under your chin is unchanged
- When you pinch the skin under your chin, it is loose and has lost elasticity
Why does a double chin form?
| Type | When touched | Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Submental fat type | A thick fat layer can be grasped | Reduce the fat itself |
| Sagging skin type | Loose skin is grasped more than fat | Improve elasticity as well |
| Structural type | Short or receding chin, weak jawline | Assess the jaw contour itself |
| Combined type | Fat and sagging together | Plan for both problems together |
Even at a normal weight, fat collecting under the chin creates a double chin; conversely, even without much fat, sagging skin or a short chin can look like a double chin.
Related readingWhy a double chin doesn't easily go away with exercise is covered in "Why won't my double chin go away with exercise? 3 real causes" (Korean).
How is submental fat reduced?
Submental fat can decrease along with overall weight loss, but it is hard to target just the area you want. A non-surgical option is injecting a fat-dissolving ingredient. In a meta-analysis of 5 randomized controlled trials (1,838 patients), submental fat-dissolving injection (deoxycholic acid) improved more than placebo on every assessment measure, and 6.8–9.9% discontinued because of side effects.[1]
If there is clearly a lot of fat and more direct removal is needed, submental liposuction is considered. Liposuction is not weight-loss surgery but a method that corrects contour by reducing subcutaneous fat in a specific area.
What is different about the sagging-skin type?
If more loose skin than fat is grasped under the chin, treatment that only reduces fat may not make the jawline as sharp as you want. Removing too much fat can make sagging skin more prominent, so skin elasticity and soft-tissue condition are assessed together and elasticity improvement is combined.
Common myths and facts — double chin
| What many people think… | What the evidence shows |
|---|---|
| "A double chin comes from gaining weight." | It can form regardless of weight because of fat distribution, skin sagging or jaw structure. |
| "Jaw exercises or massage will get rid of it." | Exercise or massage alone can hardly reduce submental subcutaneous fat selectively. |
| "After liposuction, the skin tightens on its own." | Removing fat and improving sagging skin are different problems. The degree of sagging must be assessed too. |
| "The more you remove, the sharper the jawline." | Excessive removal can reveal hollowing or sagging, so the right amount for the cause matters. |
What must be checked before double-chin treatment?
What matters most is not "how much to remove" but "what makes it look like a double chin." If the chin is short or recessed, removing fat alone is unlikely to create a satisfying jawline.
Submental liposuction is surgery too, so decide knowing the complications. A study summarizing related reports found submental hollowing, swelling, hypertrophic scarring and, rarely, temporary facial nerve weakness.
A literature review of submental liposuction complications reported submental hollowing, swelling, hypertrophic scarring and scar contracture, and, rarely, temporary facial nerve weakness. It concluded that understanding the anatomy and responding promptly are important.[2]
Related readingFor an approach that also considers jaw structure, see "A face with a double chin: how do you approach a V-line?" (Korean).
In double-chin consultations, I always look at a profile photo with the head held straight. With the fat type, the area under the chin bulges roundly; with the sagging type, it hangs downward; with the structural type, the chin itself sits back. If the three shapes differ, the methods must differ too for a natural result.
The method for a double chin depends on which of submental fat, skin sagging or jaw structure is the cause. For fat, fat-dissolving injections or liposuction; for sagging, elasticity improvement as well; for structural problems, the jaw contour is assessed first.
🔬 Supporting research
Peer-reviewed international journal articles that support this article. Click a title to open the PubMed abstract.
- Expert review of clinical pharmacology 2021 — meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, 5 studies · 1,838 patients Efficacy and safety of injectable deoxycholic acid for submental fat reduction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Key finding: submental fat-dissolving injection improved more than placebo — 6.8–9.9% discontinued for side effects In text [1] · PMID 33523775 · DOI
- Medicina oral, patologia oral y cirugia bucal 2022 — scoping literature review Complications associated with submental liposuction: a scoping review. Key finding: submental liposuction can also cause hollowing, scarring or nerve complications — assess the cause first In text [2] · PMID 35420070 · DOI
🎬 Watch — Dr. Park Seong-Soo · BongBong Plastic Surgery
Related videos from BongBong Plastic Surgery's official channel and Dr. Park Seong-Soo's channel. Videos are in Korean and play on YouTube.
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0:22 Diet · double chin · double-chin treatment (Korean) Dr. Park's channel · 2025.01.22 -
0:34 Transform to a V-line! Jaw Botox (Korean) BongBong official · 2020.01.13
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I get a double chin even if I haven't gained weight?
Yes. Regardless of weight, it can form when fat collects under the chin or skin elasticity declines, and the length and position of the chin also affect the jawline.
Will dieting get rid of a double chin?
As body fat decreases, submental fat can decrease too, but if it remains after enough weight loss, treating that area separately can be considered.
Can massage or exercise get rid of it?
It is hard to greatly and selectively reduce submental subcutaneous fat with jaw exercises or massage alone.
Will liposuction tighten the skin too?
No. If skin elasticity has declined, removing fat alone may not be enough, so the degree of sagging must be assessed together.
Which is right for me, fat-dissolving injections or liposuction?
If there isn't much fat and you want a non-surgical option, injections; if the fat is pronounced and direct removal is needed, liposuction is considered. The decision also takes skin sagging and jaw structure into account.
📖 References
Click a [number] in the text to jump to its source, and ↩ to return. Only papers whose title, journal and year were verified on PubMed are listed.
- ↩ Cunha KS, Lima F, Cardoso RM. Efficacy and safety of injectable deoxycholic acid for submental fat reduction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2021;14(3):383-397.PMID 33523775 · DOI— meta-analysis of randomized trials, 5 studies · 1,838 patients — submental deoxycholic acid injection improved all measures more than placebo
- ↩ Diniz DA, Gonçalves KK, Silva CC, et al. Complications associated with submental liposuction: a scoping review. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2022;27(3):e257-e264.PMID 35420070 · DOI— scoping review of submental liposuction complications — hollowing, swelling, scarring, temporary nerve weakness reported
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