Nobody wants a double chin. But how does it actually occur and are there ways to remove a double chin – even without surgery? We explain the causes, methods, costs and more. You can find an overview of all of them here.

What is a double chin and how does it develop?

A double chin is an anatomical anomaly with an obvious deformation or sagging of the tissue below the chin, so that the otherwise existing right angle between the neck and chin disappears due to the bulge of the skin. This almost always contradicts one’s own sense of beauty, because the face has a huge influence on a person’s perception. A double chin is usually caused by sagging skin or the formation of erectile tissue in the chin area. 

But a double chin can cause more than just visual problems. It is also uncomfortable when moisture collects in the fold of skin between the chin and the double chin when you sweat. This can lead to painful irritation. 

Causes of a double chin

The excess tissue under the chin is caused by high fat accumulation. This can be caused by an unbalanced diet, weight loss or age. There are 7 reasons for a double chin:

1. Obesity: If you gain weight but don’t build muscle, you are supporting the accumulation of fat on your body. Over time, a fold of fat forms on your chin. As the skin stretches, your double chin becomes more and more visible. This is often accompanied by a strong neck and a round face.

2. Diets: After extensive periods of weight loss, the excess skin becomes flabby and cannot completely disappear.

3. Genetic predisposition: If someone is slim but still has a double chin, there may be a genetic predisposition. A genetic defect causes excessive fat to be stored under the chin. This can also be inherited.

4. Natural, innate facial shape: A “receding chin” with a recessed, backward-running chin protrusion can visually create a kind of double chin.

5. Signs of aging: As we get older, more skin tissue can form on the chin, which can be exacerbated by smoking, for example. Weight loss can also be responsible for a double chin in old age.

6. Posture: If your posture is bent, your head can be pushed forward permanently. This makes your double chin more noticeable.

7. Chronic diseases: Hormonal fluctuations can cause water to accumulate in the chin area, resulting in a double chin. 

Get rid of a double chin: the best methods

Get rid of a double chin without surgery 

I: Get rid of your double chin: facial yoga and more

Facial yoga can help you tighten your chin. We have put together a variety of exercises to help you get rid of your double chin. Practice the exercises regularly with perseverance, discipline and patience and you will soon see results.

a) Strengthening effect

1. Open your mouth slightly.
2. Pull your lips inwards and press them against your teeth if possible, using your fingers if necessary.
3. Smile slightly.
4. Hold the position for about 10 seconds.
5. Then relax.

6. Repeat exercise 7 times.

b) consolidation effect

1. Lift your chin slightly.

2. Push the lower jaw forward firmly.

3. Let the tongue rest on the upper palate.

4. Now pull the corners of your mouth upwards and smile.

5. Hold position for about 10 seconds.

6. Loosen up and relax.

7. Repeat exercise 5 times.

c) Snapdragon

1. Squat down, alternatively stand or sit.
2. Stretch your head forward.
3. Stick out your tongue.
4. Important: Perform stretching movements intensively and with tension.
5. Test with your hand whether the chin muscles are firmly tense.
6. Repeat the exercise as many times as you like, or over the course of the day.

d) tightening effect

1. Bite your teeth together.
2. Pull your lower lip downwards so that your lower row of teeth is visible.
3. Press the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth.
4. Hold the tension for 6 seconds.
5. Relax and repeat.

Further exercises to get rid of a double chin
a) Mitten

1. Support your elbow on a table.
2. Press your clenched fist under your chin.
3. Hold your lower jaw against the pressure and try to open your mouth against it.
4. Hold the tension for about 10 seconds.
5. It is best to repeat 10 times.

b) stick out your tongue

1. Stick out your tongue as far as possible.
2. Move your tongue upwards towards your nose.
3. Hold the tension for about 10 seconds.
4. It is best to repeat 10 times 

c) Kussecht

1. Sit upright on the floor.
2. Pull in your navel.
3. Tilt your head back.
4. Look at the ceiling.
5. Purse your lips.
6. Maintain the same position and tension for about 10 seconds.
7. It is best to repeat 10 times. 

d) plucking art

This massage exercise to remove a double chin is said to stimulate the metabolism and fat burning in the neck region thanks to increased blood flow and thus also have an effect on the chin area. In the morning and evening, work on small areas of skin along the jawbone with your thumb and index finger by quickly lifting them with a plucking motion, holding them in this position for a short time and then releasing them again. 

II. Getting rid of a double chin: filling for more contour on the chin

Filler for a beautiful chin

Chin reconstruction without surgery is possible using minimally invasive injections of hyaluronic acid fillers. This can make a receding chin more harmonious. The outpatient filler injection into the receding chin area is intended to highlight and model the tissue for as long as possible (a few months). The chin should then appear well-proportioned and neither protrude too far nor recede too far when viewed from the front or the side.

III: Removing a double chin: Dissolving fat deposits on the double chin

fat-removal injection

With this non-surgical technique, a special solution in the syringe is intended to dissolve the fat in the double chin after the injection and transport it away via the lymphatic system. This is done gently and without scarring. The procedure can be carried out on an outpatient basis.

IV: Getting rid of a double chin: tightening the chin region

Botulinum can be used to tighten the chin. The chin line inevitably stretches over time because the responsible neck muscle attaches there and pulls downwards with certain movements or facial expressions. However, this tension occurs unconsciously (even when sleeping). This means that the chin line gradually becomes less defined. With the contour, the sharply defined chin-jaw angle is also lost. At the same time, the so-called “turkey neck” effect occurs: the stretched skin hangs down unsightly like in poultry. The outpatient Botox injection ensures that the muscle relaxes and thus creates a clearly defined chin line. In addition, the hanging tissue on the chin can be tightened.

V: Remove double chin: Use heat or cold to combat the double chin

• Laser tightening
  This procedure is recommended if the appearance is mainly caused by overstretched skin. The skin can be tightened with a fractional, skin-friendly laser. The laser heat penetrates deep into the skin layers, which then contract and tighten the surface. The heat also supports collagen formation, which also has a tightening effect over time. Less pronounced double chins can be treated in several sessions. Tightening with a laser can be carried out on an outpatient basis.
  
• Thermal lifting
  Thermal lifting is used for a so-called “turkey neck” with sagging skin without much fat. In this procedure, radio waves cause heat that penetrates the skin. The surface is cooled during this process to avoid injury. The skin contracts and collagen production is stimulated. Usually only one session is necessary. Excess skin can be tightened and minimized, but fat cannot be removed. The method can be performed as an outpatient procedure.
  
• Ultrasound lifting
  The non-surgical technique tightens the skin from the inside out and thus triggers skin regeneration. In the outpatient procedure, micro-focused ultrasound waves are gently transported into deep tissue layers to stimulate collagen formation and thus tighten the skin.

 

Cryolipolysis
This outpatient technique allows the double chin to be permanently removed without invasive surgery thanks to Coolsculpting  . The fat cells located in the chin are gently reduced using the cold procedure. So-called Coolsculpting devices are used to “freeze away” the fat deposits. The chin area is cooled down to 2 to 4 degrees Celsius using a small vacuum applicator so that the dead fat cells can be transported away via the lymphatic vessels. Several sessions are necessary.

VI. Getting rid of a double chin: Inserting threads to lift the double chin

Thread lifting

This method uses absorbable, i.e. self-dissolving threads that are placed under the skin. The threads are inserted into the subcutaneous fat tissue using a fine needle, where they anchor themselves in the sagging tissue with small hooks. This tightens the tissue in the chin region and lifts it into the desired position. The outpatient procedure also stimulates the production of collagen through the threads, which in turn helps smooth the skin.

 VII. Drink plenty of water

Drink plenty of water to flush out excess sodium. This will help prevent a puffy face. Dehydrating the 
body also flushes out toxins that can contribute to an unhealthy pale complexion.

VII. Eat healthy

Avoid foods that contain a lot of sugar and fat. Instead, eat fiber-rich foods 
such as green leafy vegetables. Avoid alcohol or drastically reduce your consumption. Reason: alcohol contains calories that have no nutrients. Possible effect: your face swells up and bags under your eyes appear.

VIII. Get rid of facial fat while you sleep

Sleep 7-8 hours a night. Lack of sleep makes your face look puffy and is the cause of bags under your eyes.

Learn more about How to lose belly fat? 18 tricks to eliminate abdominal fat

What else helps against a double chin: Current cosmetic surgery procedures

While less pronounced types of double chin can be reduced with discipline and strict weight loss, with a pronounced double chin, surgery is often the only way to remove it quickly, effectively and completely. Various procedures are possible as aesthetic cosmetic surgery:

• Removing a double chin with liposuction (minimally invasive liposuction): During liposuction, the fat in the chin area is removed without residue and usually permanently using fine cannulas through several small incisions behind the earlobes. The method can be carried out on an outpatient basis. The openings in the skin can usually be simply taped over with adhesive plasters until they close up on their own, almost invisibly. After chin surgery, a compression mask should be worn for some time. After liposuction, the excess skin must be removed: Using surgical skin tightening, the remaining, stretched excess skin below the chin is removed with a small incision, smoothed and sutured. The neck muscle is often tightened as well. The stitches are removed around ten days after the operation. Scars are often invisible. The procedure is carried out on an outpatient basis, usually under local anesthesia.
• Get rid of a double chin with chinplasty: Chinplasty is an invasive chin operation that is considered for a receding chin. The procedure involves inserting an implant that strengthens the chin bone to compensate for the missing contour. This minimizes unsightly bulges between the neck and chin. Alternatively, the chin area can be shaped more prominently by performing a so-called forward displacement of the lower jaw bone. However, this procedure is very complex. During chin surgery, the bone is severed and positioned forward. The whole thing is fixed with screws, which are later removed. This type of chin correction is usually performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. For better monitoring, a one to two day hospital stay can be planned. The pressure bandage is usually removed together with the stitches after about one to two weeks.

Possible risks of double chin treatment

•  Laser treatment and thermal lifting: Low risk. Possibly slight redness or swelling for a short time. Slight scabs may form.
• Liposuction: swelling, bruising.
• Surgical skin tightening: bleeding, infections, impaired wound healing or excessive scarring.
• Chinplasty: numbness, bleeding, infections, asymmetry.
• Fat-removal injection: bruising, swelling.
• Hyaluronic acid fillers: circulatory disorders, asymmetries.
• Thread lifting: swelling, bruising.
• Cryolipolysis: Temporary numbness, redness, bruising.
• Botox: redness, headaches, numbness.
• Ultrasound: tingling, swelling, sensitivity to touch.

Massage away a double chin: Tools for at home

Facial massages can loosen the tissue and stimulate blood circulation, resulting in a tightening effect. Devices specially made for this purpose can also be used. However, these cannot, of course, promise quick, effective, long-term, comprehensive and obvious success – especially when it comes to very pronounced double chins.

The top 5 tools against the double chin:

1. Slim Chin: A massage device that, according to the manufacturer, allows you to vary the resistance on your chin using three different spring strengths to define the chin area. Apparently, just two minutes a day are enough to train the chin area.

2. Rose quartz roller: The roller with the pink healing stone is supposed to tighten the skin (including on the chin) by stimulating blood circulation. The hand-operated tool should be rolled over the relevant area several times a day with gentle pressure to also stimulate lymph flow. This is also supposed to stimulate collagen production. However, people with a double chin should not expect any effective, visible benefits. 

3. Sunmay 3D facial roller: The device is designed to deliver microcurrent to the skin via an integrated solar panel, thus supporting the massage function. Thanks to the V-shape, the device is also designed to adapt better to the contours of the respective facial area. There are no proven results regarding the effectiveness of this procedure either.

4. Landwind 3D facial roller: Thanks to the Y-shape with integrated roller balls, the skin is massaged perfectly and the lymph is stimulated to tighten. The hematite rollers (made from a mineral) are supposed to increase the success. Whether this actually has a measurable effect has not been proven.

5. Mycarbon facial roller: The DIY tool works by vibrating 160 times per minute. This is supposed to increase the massage effect. The stimulation is supposed to cause the muscles to contract and promote blood circulation. This in turn is supposed to accelerate metabolism and collagen synthesis and smooth the skin. There is no guarantee of effectiveness with this method either.

Hairstyle Tricks for Round Faces with Double Chin

Long hair styles for round faces with double chin:

If you have a round, chubby-looking face with a double chin, your hair should end at chin height or on the collarbone. Longer hair completely frames the face, making it appear fuller. However, curls should not be curled at chin height. This is because they attract attention and make the double chin the focus of the viewer. A long bob with layered side sections is also a good choice. Medium-length hair can make the chin look smaller with an asymmetrical cut and slanted edges. If you can’t part with your XL mane, then tie it up, even in a high bun, because this draws the eye upwards and stretches it. There are countless updos, so you can add variety to your everyday hairstyle. Extra tip: You can also support the stretching effect by adding volume to the back of the head by backcombing the section.

Short hairstyles for round faces with double chin:

Short hair is ideal for making a round face appear slimmer. This includes cuts such as the bob or the pixie cut . The short hair takes away the volume from your face, lightening it, so to speak. This creates an optical lifting effect. Good to know: Straight hair that just hangs down lazily and dullly is not good for the face, as it puts the double chin in the spotlight and nothing distracts from it. Soft beach waves , for example, are better, as they are an eye-catcher. A reason to get rid of those long, old braids and try something new. Extra tip: Choosing the right parting can also influence how you perceive your face. A middle parting narrows your face, a side parting makes it appear lusher and fuller.

Questions and Answers about the Double Chin

• How do I get rid of a double chin quickly?

Facial yoga and various other exercises to combat a double chin tighten the skin on the neck and help to get rid of the double chin. However, this requires stamina and discipline. You can quickly remove the double chin with surgery.

• How do I get rid of my double chin without surgery?

With various exercises against double chin you can get rid of the double chin without surgery. Another non-surgical technique is the fat-removal injection to remove the double chin. A special solution dissolves the fat and transports it away via the lymphatic system.

• Why do I have a double chin even though I’m thin?

A double chin can have several causes. In addition to being overweight, a genetic predisposition can also lead to a double chin, which is often the cause of a double chin in thin people.

Learn more about How to lose belly fat quickly and naturally at home