AVAILABLE OPTIONS FOR TREATING A DOUBLE CHIN
Recent innovative advancements in medical aesthetics are providing physicians with new ways to enhance their patients’ appearance to achieve a more vibrant look.
Although in the past a double chin was mainly treated with invasive techniques, now there are a variety of options, including new non-invasive treatments, to address this need.
If this is an area of interest for you, take a closer look at all the options to find a solution that’s right for you.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
DOUBLE
CHIN-REDUCING INJECTIONS
A non-surgical injectable product (BELKYRA® otherwise known as KYBELLA® in the U.S.) is customized by your doctor to improve the appearance and profile of your double chin.
This double chin-reducing injectable product is a naturally occurring molecule in the body that helps to break down fat and aids the body to absorb that fat. When injected into the area under the chin, this substance targets and eliminates fat cells, giving your chin profile a slimmer look. Once your desired chin profile is achieved, re-treatment is not expected.
Your doctor will customize your treatment plan, with each session normally taking 15 to 20 minutes. Sessions consist of a series of injections underneath your chin and doesn’t require any surgery.
In Canada, the double chin-reducing injectable product has been rigorously tested in numerous clinical trials. Side effects may include tolerable swelling, bruising, pain and numbness, however these are normally only mild to moderate and will resolve in a matter of days. Some of these side effects may be minimized by applying ice or a cold pack to the treatment area for 10-15 minutes, as needed. When scheduling your treatments, keep your social plans and work commitments in mind.
Double chin-reducing injections are a safe and effective treatment that a trained doctor will tailor specifically for you to improve your chin profile. Once you’ve achieved the look you want, retreatment is not expected. This treatment has been tested in clinical trials and is Health Canada approved. Deoxycholic acid, the active ingredient in these customized injections, has been known to stimulate the production of collagen in your body as well. Over 90% of patients had similar or improved skin laxity after treatment.
Injections are administered over multiple treatments so that results are gradual over time.
FAT FREEZING TECHNOLOGY
Fat freezing technology, otherwise known as COOLSCULPTING® or cryolipolysis, is a process in which unwanted fat is frozen to improve the appearance of a specific area of the body or face through a series of treatments.
Using controlled cooling, fat freezing technology damages and breaks down fat cells. Because these fat cells are more vulnerable to the cold than other cells, they can be destroyed without harming the surrounding area.
In your treatment session, a healthcare professional will apply a vacuum to the area below your chin. This vacuum draws the fat underneath your chin into a small cup where it is cooled to the proper temperature for treatment.
It is typical to experience numbness, redness and swelling after treatment, however they are only temporary and often don’t last more than a week. As well, some people experience sensitivity, itching and tenderness after treatment. When scheduling your treatments, keep your social plans and work commitments in mind. Any mild side effects, including swelling and tenderness, will not persist longer than six to twelve weeks.
Fat freezing technology is a safe and effective treatment option for those looking to reduce their double chin. Your skin is not expected to stretch or have greater laxity as a result of the treatment.
The exact mechanism of action for this treatment is not yet completely understood. As well, because techniques are not uniformly applied, long-term side effects and outcomes remain to be fully determined. This method of fat reduction has not been as rigorously tested as others. Due to the size of the applicator, it is not always easy to properly adjust to the treatment area, and because of this, some results may appear to be uneven or have the "shelf effect". A week of downtime can be expected after your treatment until mild side effects disappear.
LIPOSUCTION
Liposuction is a surgical procedure. It’s a process in which fat is removed from specific areas using suction. This procedure is normally used to target specific places on the body that have excess body fat, like the double chin.
Your doctor will usually make two incisions underneath your chin and two behind the bottoms of your ears. After receiving a small amount of lidocaine, your doctor will then insert thin tubes to remove fat from the targeted area.
Sitting upright, your doctor will draw a topographic map under your chin to note where fat, bones and muscles are. After your doctor makes the incisions, they will place thin tubes to suck away excess fat.
After your treatment, it is recommended that you sleep with your head up and your neck extended. A chin-strap is worn the following day and then every night for the next two to three weeks. It is suggested to apply vitamin E cream to any firm areas for 5-10 minutes daily. It can often take several months for the neck to achieve its final result.
After your surgery, swelling in the treated area will typically persist for numerous weeks. The majority of patients will experience less sensation in their treated areas, however, after three months, normally sensation comes back. A local or general anesthesia is used to sedate the patient before surgery, depending on their treatment plan.
Some patients may be concerned with the bruising and discolouration that can often come as a result of liposuction. As well, skin may appear loose following surgery. An increase in blood pressure is common after the operation and recovery time can last for a number of weeks.
Liposuction has been known to provide visible results and has traditionally been a reliable treatment option. For best results, liposuction is suggested for patients younger than 65 years of age because sagging skin is usually not yet an issue.
Compared to other treatments, liposuction can be a greater financial undertaking.
Because liposuction requires surgery, downtime of a few days to a couple weeks is typical. Less sensation in treated areas is also common.
NECK LIFT SURGERY
A neck lift is a surgical process in which the two neck muscles under the chin, called the platysma muscles, are tightened or sewn together to elevate and lift the skin of the jowls, jaw line and neck. This procedure requires surgery and is common for people who have concentrated deposits of fat towards the front part of the neck.
Typically in neck lifts, excess fat will be removed, then the platysmal muscles will be stretched and sewn together to sharpen the jaw line and contour the look of the neck. Often a neck lift will be performed in conjunction with a small amount of liposuction for optimal results.
Incisions in the skin around the ears and below the chin allow the doctor to access the muscles and cartilage, which often need to be altered when performing a neck lift. Excess skin from the neck will be directed towards the ears and then whatever skin is left over is removed.
Results may vary.
If the stitching of the platysmal muscles is too tight, it may result in “over-corrected neck.” This can sometimes cause pain in the patient and the formation of unnatural creases.
Because neck lift requires surgery, downtime to heal following the operation can be a number of weeks. In some cases, depending on how your body reacts to the procedure, signs of aging may reappear.