Excess fat under the chin is a common cause for concern and many patients ask us what treatments get rid of a double chin.
What causes double chin fullness?
For most of us, a double chin is the result of fat accumulating under the chin, known as submental fat. This excess fat is typically very resistant to diet and exercise and many slim and toned men and women feel that they look overweight as there is a lack of definition in the lower face and neck. Patients often say that they feel it makes them look older also. Genetic factors can play a role in where fat accumulates.
Skin laxity can also contribute to this lack of definition. As we age, collagen and elasticity production slow down which causes skin to sag and folds to form. As the lower face loses elasticity, this can often give the appearance of a double chin. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, poor diet and sun exposure can all accelerate this skin ageing.
Even your smartphone addiction could be contributing to double chin fullness. US scientists recently revealed that tipping your head forward at a 45-degree angle for hours and hours a day put an extreme amount of pressure on your neck, resulting in muscle stiffness, joint inflammation, pinched nerves, arthritis, herniated discs, as well as the increased likelihood of necklace lines and a double chin as a result of poor posture.
How to lose double chin fat?
There are many non-surgical treatments that claim to eradicate double chin fat. Different techniques are used to kill the fat cells before they are eliminated from the body through the lymphatic system. These treatments include fat dissolving injections, such as Kybella which is composed of a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid. This is a bile acid which naturally destroys fat cells.
Other treatments use extreme temperatures to kill off the fat cells, such as cryolipolysis. Scientists discovered that fat cells were destroyed when frozen with minimal damage to the surrounding tissue.
However, for a permanent and immediate removal of stubborn fat deposits on the face and body, double chin lipo is the most effective method. Mr Michael Mouzakis offers both MicroLipo and Vaser Liposuction for treating submental fat.
During a MicroLipo procedure, a solution of saline, adrenaline and local anaesthetic is injected into the treatment area to minimise discomfort and make removal of the fat cells easier. Small incisions are made and a microcannula is inserted to gently remove the fatty tissue. A more refined contour to the neck, jaw and chin instantly emerges although it can take a few weeks and months before all swelling subsides.
Vaser stands for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance, and it uses ultrasound waves to liquefy the fat cells which makes them easier to extract. This makes it very gentle and minimally invasive so suitable for double chin lipo. The ultrasound energy also induces a small amount of skin retraction which can further improve the results.
To find out which treatment for double chin fullness you are best suited for, call 02033 256 533 to arrange a consultation with body sculpting expert Mr Michael Mouzakis.
