Treatment of Double Chin

About the disease

A double chin is the accumulation of fatty tissue under the chin. It is very common and usually caused by weight gain and age, although it can also be caused by other factors. Even though having a double chin is not dangerous in and of itself, it can sometimes indicate other health concerns. Also, being overweight can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

With age, the skin becomes less resistant to bodily changes and starts to lose its elasticity. As a result, saggy areas can develop around the lower abdomen, armpits, buttocks and the chin. The eyes may also appear to have “bags” under them.

Some people just have a genetic predisposition for a double chin. In and of itself, it does not present any danger, as long as the individual is a healthy weight in all other areas of the body. The only problem is that a double chin can be quite unflattering, making the face look rounder than it actually is.

Sometimes people develop a double chin due to bad posture. If the spine is not straight, the neck muscles can become weaker because they are not used as actively as they should be. As a result, some elasticity may be lost in the skin under the chin.

Symptoms

• Sagging skin under the chin is the only symptom.

Diagnosis

• Usually, having a double chin does not require medical treatment, however some people may wish to make an appointment with a physical therapist or cosmetologist for tips on physical exercises.
• If a person suddenly puts on a lot of weight, it could indicate a metabolic or hormonal disorder. In this case, it would be a good idea to make an appointment with an endocrinologist. The patient may also be recommended to have a blood test, to check the glucose levels.
• If the double chin is very visible and makes neck movement difficult, the patient may be recommended to undergo an ultrasound of the blood vessels in the neck, to check that blood is flowing freely to their head. Obstructions or deviations could be dangerous.

Treatment

• If the double chin is not very large and does not drastically alter the patient’s physical appearance, a cosmetologist is likely to recommended specially adapted physical exercises. The patient may also be advised to go on a healthy diet and drink plenty of fluids, thereby removing any water retention that could be causing the chin to sag.
• Special facial massages can also help tone up the flesh under the chin.
• Liposuction is a plastic surgery procedure that aims to remove the excess fat from the tissue under the chin and to flatten the sagging skin.

Authors: Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova, Dr. Farrukh Ahmed