A so-called double chin is when sagging skin and excess tissue are visible under the chin. The chin appears less contoured as a result – instead, it seems as if the affected person has a “second chin”. As the face has a major influence on a person’s overall appearance and attractiveness, many men and women find a double chin extremely unpleasant and unsightly. In addition to the psychological strain, the fold of skin between the chin and the excess tissue of the “second chin” can also sweat profusely and cause skin irritation.
In aesthetic medicine, there are various methods to permanently remove a disturbing double chin. In addition to surgical liposuction, non-surgical measures are also available. Below we would like to introduce you to two of these methods that we offer in our practice: WarmSculpting™ and the fat-away injection .
What causes a double chin?
A double chin consists mainly of excess and sagging tissue below the chin. One of the main factors is general obesity, which is also noticeable on the neck. In addition to fat deposits, sagging skin also plays a major role in the formation of a double chin. For this reason, a double chin is more common in advanced age, as the skin becomes less elastic and firm over time, resulting in sagging and the tissue on the neck can no longer hold its youthful position. This can be exacerbated by individual predisposition or congenital connective tissue weakness.
Even after losing a lot of weight, an unpleasant double chin can occur despite fewer fat deposits. The trigger in this case is sagging, overstretched skin that remains on the neck after weight loss.
Can a double chin be trained away?
Dieting and exercise are the first things that come to mind when it comes to shaping and contouring the body. A lot can usually be achieved with these conventional methods. However, these measures do not usually help enough, especially with stubborn fat deposits, which can be located on the stomach, hips and chin. The fat cells defy all efforts and often lead to frustration for those affected.
Even in the case of a double chin, it is difficult to correct the unpleasant appearance with the help of dietary changes or exercise. Unlike the abdomen, legs or arms, it is difficult to train the chin area specifically. In addition, sagging skin tissue often contributes to the double chin, which also cannot be removed by exercise or dieting. In these cases, aesthetic medicine is the appropriate solution to effectively and permanently get rid of the double chin.
Targeted treatment with SculpSure® WarmSculpting™
One way of treating a troublesome double chin is WarmSculpting™ with the SculpSure® laser. This is a gentle fat reduction and skin tightening procedure that is achieved with the help of heat. During the treatment, a special applicator (diode laser) is attached under the chin. The diode laser emits pulses to the tissue completely painlessly. In the tissue, these energy impulses lead to an increase in heat to around 41° Celsius. The fat cells are destroyed by the heat and then removed naturally. For comfort during the treatment and to protect the upper skin layer, the skin surface is additionally cooled by an integrated system.
In addition to destroying the fat cells, the heat also causes new collagen to be formed and the connective tissue to contract. This leads to harmonious skin tightening, which further optimizes the treatment results.
A treatment with SculpSure® WarmSculpting™ takes about 25 minutes. Anesthesia or anesthesia is not necessary. During the treatment you will only feel a sensation of warmth and possibly a slight tingling or pulling sensation. WarmSculpting™ is suitable for body contouring on the stomach, back, flanks or arms up to a BMI of around 30. If the BMI is over 30, the treatment does not usually achieve the desired results, so other weight loss and fat reduction procedures must be chosen first. In the case of a double chin, however, patients with a BMI of up to 43 can also be treated successfully. The system received the corresponding CE approval for this in 2017. It also has FDA approval in the USA.
How often does the treatment have to be repeated?
Although WarmSculpting™ is a very quick treatment with a duration of around 25 minutes per session, the removal of fat cells in the body takes several weeks. The results are therefore not visible immediately after treatment. The first results can be seen after about four to six weeks. It can even take up to twelve weeks for the process to be fully completed. The tightening effect due to the formation of new connective tissue can take up to six months.
The number of sessions required varies depending on the patient. We usually recommend two to three treatments on the body or one to two treatments on the chin at intervals of around six to eight weeks to achieve optimum results. Once the fat cells have been removed, they no longer grow back. The treatment leads to lasting results – which nevertheless need to be supported by a healthy lifestyle.
Second option: the fat-away injection
The second treatment method available alongside WarmSculpting™ is the so-called fat-away injection (injection lipolysis). In this method, a special mixture of active ingredients is injected into the neck area to stimulate the breakdown of fat (lipolysis). This procedure also destroys the fat cells and removes them via the body. Even with injection lipolysis, it takes several weeks before the results are visible.
The treatment takes about 20 minutes. As a rule, we recommend two treatment sessions; however, this can vary from patient to patient. Even after the fat-away injection, the destroyed fat cells do not form again. In contrast to WarmSculpting™, however, it does not lead to additional tightening of the skin.
More information on double chin treatment
We will be happy to provide you with further information on the options for double chin treatment during a personal consultation in our practice. The most suitable method for the individual patient can only be determined after a careful examination and consultation between doctor and patient. Contact us for your appointment and you are also welcome to use our online appointment booking use!
last update: 14.04.2022
