How to Treat a Double Chin Using Non-Surgical Procedures
Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror or a photograph and your eye is immediately drawn to your less-than-flattering double chin? And even though you may be exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle, you just can’t seem to get rid of it? Nothing seems to work!
Don’t be too hard on yourself. Some areas of fat are more difficult to get rid of than others. But take heart! Two new treatments are designed specifically to address this problem.
What is a Double Chin?
A double chin is simply an accumulation of fat below your chin separated by a natural skin crease. While it is commonly associated with weight gain, you don’t actually have to be overweight to develop a double chin. Genetics and ageing are also contributing factors.
The good news is that you don’t have to go on living with low self-confidence brought on by having a double chin or undergo painful, surgical procedures.
CoolSculpting® and Belkyra™ are two non-invasive treatments that can help to remove stubborn, unwanted fat under your chin without any surgery.
But how do you know which one will work best for your specific needs?
Here is everything you need to know about each treatment.
Belkyra™
What is Belkyra™?
Belkyra™, also known as Kybella™ in the U.S., is a product that is designed to dissolve fat under the chin. During the treatment, many small injections will be made under your chin to slowly dissolve the fat. The number of injections used depends on the amount of fat that needs to be eliminated.
Each session typically lasts around 20 minutes. Completely eliminating a double chin may require two to four sessions.
How Does it Work?
Belkyra™ is made from a substance naturally found in the human body called deoxycholic acid, which is a chemical substance that destroys fat cells. When injected under the chin, Belkyra™ helps to destroy fat cells gradually, helping to reduce the appearance of a double chin.
Once the fat cells are destroyed, they won’t come back. This should leave permanent results as long as you do not gain a large amount of weight after the procedure.
What Are the Results?
Once injected, Belkyra™ slowly dissolves fat that causes a double chin, leaving a more streamlined and improved contour along the jawline. Most patients will see full results after 2 to 4 treatments. Each treatment should be spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Before you see visible results after the injection, most patients will experience some side effects such as bruising, swelling, pain, numbness, and some people may feel small areas of hardness at the injection site. These will go away over time.
Who is a Good Candidate?
Anyone over the age of 18 that is in good health but has mild to severe fullness under the chin is typically a good candidate for Belkyra™.
However, patients with loose, sagging skin will not be suitable candidates for Belkyra™, as the injection will not help tighten loose skin.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or patients with liver or heart problems should also not undergo this treatment.
CoolSculpting®
What is CoolSculpting®?
Similar to Belkyra™, CoolSculpting® is a non-surgical treatment designed to get rid of stubborn, unwanted fat.
However, instead of an injection, CoolSculpting® uses fat freezing technology to eliminate fat cells.
How Does it Work?
CoolSculpting® uses a process called Cryolipolysis. During a CoolSculpting® treatment, a roll of fat is drawn into the CoolSculpting® applicator It is then cooled to a specific temperature.
The freezing damages the targeted fat cells, while leaving the surrounding cells unaffected. Over a course of two to six months, your body will gradually reabsorb the damaged fat cells.
What Are the Results of CoolScultping®?
Like Belkyra™, it takes some time for the fat to disappear after treatment. Two to three sessions are usually needed to completely get rid of a double chin, and full results are often seen after three months.
Once the fat cells have disappeared, they are gone for good unless you gain weight.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Like any procedure, there are some side effects that come along with CoolSculpting®. Possible side effects include:
Pain, aching or stinging at the treatment site for several days after the treatment
Temporary skin sensitivity, redness, bruising, and swelling at the treated area
Reduced sensation at the treatment area, which can persist for several weeks.
In very rare cases—less than 0.005% of patients—CoolSculpting® can lead to an increase in fat cells. This side effect is extremely rare and is seen more often in men than women
Who is a Good Candidate?
CoolSculpting® is not a weight loss solution. Therefore, patients who are not looking to lose excess amounts of weight are ideal candidates.
CoolSculpting® works best for people who are in good health and exercise regularly, but still have small amounts of excess fat that they have trouble getting rid of.
Which Option is Best?
Both CoolSculpting® and Belkyra™are effective treatment options for getting rid of a double chin. The difference lies in the amount and distribution of fat in the area. For CoolSculpting to work, there needs to be sufficient fat in the area so that it can be drawn into the applicator. If there is not enough fat for a CoolSculpting® treatment, then Belkyra™ is a good alternative.
Ultimately, your medical professional will help you decide which option would work best to help you get rid of your unwanted double chin.
Article written by Dr. Erik Hegmann, MD
Dr. Erik Hegmann, MD, is a family physician who has focused on Cosmetic and Laser Medicine at his Kanata office since 2004. Dr. Hegmann has an extensive educational background with a Master of Science, specializing in cancer research, from Sunnybrook Health Sciences Facility in Toronto, and a degree from the Faculty of Medicine at the Unversity of Toronto graduating with Honours.