Double Chin
Submental fullness (the fat that sits under the chin) is one of the most common body concerns we hear about, and one of the hardest to shift with diet and exercise alone.
A double chin isn't just a weight issue. It can develop in patients who are otherwise fit and healthy, and it's often driven more by genetics than by anything you're doing wrong. The good news is that there are non-surgical treatments that permanently reduce the fat cells in this area, restore definition to the jawline, and tighten the overlying skin. We'll help you understand which approach makes the most sense for your anatomy and goals.
About This Condition
Why a Double Chin is Hard to Fix on Your Own
The fat beneath the chin is one of several areas in the body where fat cells are particularly resistant to diet and exercise. You can lose weight overall and still have a double chin because fat loss isn't localized. Your body decides where it draws from when you're in a caloric deficit, and the submental area is often one of the last to respond.
There are two components to a double chin, and treating them together produces the best outcome. The first is the fat itself, and the second is the skin overlying it, which may have lost elasticity with age or after weight changes.
The two components we address:
Submental Fat
Localized fat deposits beneath the chin that create fullness and obscure jawline definition. They can be stubborn even in patients who are otherwise lean. CoolSculpting eliminates these fat cells through controlled cooling, with results that build over two to three months.
Skin Laxity
This is the looseness or sagging of the skin beneath the chin, often present alongside or independently of submental fat. Exilis and Sofwave uses radiofrequency energy to tighten and firm this area without surgery or downtime.
A Note on GLP-1 Medications
If You’re on a GLP-1, CoolSculpting Can Still Help
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy have changed the conversation around body contouring, but while they're very effective for overall weight loss, they don't target specific fat deposits or address skin laxity. CoolSculpting works well as a complement to GLP-1s for patients who want to address stubborn fat in specific areas that general weight loss hasn't resolved. And for patients experiencing skin looseness due to rapid weight loss on a GLP-1, Exilis and Sofwave can help firm and tighten the skin under the chin and along the jawline.
Targeted Treatments
How We Treat a Double Chin
CoolSculpting
Controlled cooling that freezes and permanently eliminates fat cells in the submental area. The treated cells are cleared by the body over two to three months, leaving the area visibly slimmer and more defined.
Exilis Skin Tightening Treatment
Exilis delivers radiofrequency energy to tighten loose skin under the chin and along the jawline. There are no needles or downtime, and our patients usually describe the experience as a warm massage.
Sofwave Skin Tightening Treatment
For patients whose primary concern is skin laxity under the chin rather than fat, Sofwave uses focused ultrasound to lift and tighten the submental area from within.
Schedule Your Consultation and Get a Sharper Jawline Today
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Treatment for Double Chins
Can exercise and diet get rid of a double chin?
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Sometimes, but not always. If your double chin is primarily due to overall body weight, losing weight can reduce it. But for many patients, submental fat is genetically predisposed to accumulate in that area and is resistant to general fat loss. If you've reached a healthy weight and the fullness under your chin hasn't responded, it's unlikely to respond further with diet and exercise alone. That's where non-surgical fat reduction becomes a genuinely useful option.
Will the fat come back after CoolSculpting?
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The fat cells that are eliminated by CoolSculpting are permanently gone. They don't regenerate. However, the remaining fat cells in the area can still expand if you gain weight significantly, so maintaining a stable weight is important for long-term results. Most patients who maintain their weight find that their CoolSculpting results are lasting.
How do I know if my double chin is fat, loose skin, or both?
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This is exactly what your consultation is for. Our Element Dermatology team assess the submental area to determine how much of the fullness is fat versus skin laxity, and whether other structural factors are at play. The right treatment depends entirely on this assessment. A patient with mostly fat needs a different approach than one with loose skin, and many patients benefit from treating both components in a planned sequence. We'll be honest about what we think will work and what the realistic outcome looks like.
Is there any downtime with these treatments?
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All three treatments we use for double-chin concerns (CoolSculpting, Exilis, and Sofwave) are non-invasive with no significant downtime. After CoolSculpting, the treated area may feel firm or slightly tender for a few weeks, but most patients return to normal activities the same day. Exilis and Sofwave involve no downtime at all, and none of these treatments require surgery, anesthesia, or an extended recovery period.