Published on March 22, 2023
Whether you’re growing old or gaining weight, having a double chin can be inevitable. The worst thing about them is they can be really stubborn.
While there are several treatments for double chin, botox seems to be winning the race. Aside from being non-invasive, it also doesn’t require any downtime. You can go back to your usual activities right after the procedure. Even Hollywood celebs swear by it.
But does botox really work for double chin?
To some extent, yes, botox can help with double chin. It can tighten the skin around your chin and smooths out fine lines and wrinkles. However, it cannot get rid of the fat around that area. So it may not give you your desired results.
If you want to completely get rid of your double chin, you can combine botox with other treatments like Mesotherapy, Kybella, or PDO Threads Facelift.
But to determine the right combination of treatments for you, you first need to determine why your chin looks the way it is right now.
What Causes Double Chin?
Also known as submental fat, a double chin happens when a layer of fatty tissue forms beneath the chin. It’s caused by various factors such as:
1. Weight Gain
When you gain weight, fat deposits will obviously form in different parts of your body, including your chin. That’s why people leaning on the heavier side are also more likely to struggle with submental fat.
2. Aging
As we age, our skin also slowly loses its structure. This can cause it to loosen and sag. When the skin beneath your chin sags, your chin fats, muscles, and tissues also sag along with it. This creates layered pockets of fats we commonly call the double chin.
3. Genetics
If you’re skinny but still have to contend with a double chin, your genes might hold the answer.
You see, our genes determine almost everything about our bodies. Though there’s no specific gene for double chin, our genes can influence our body shape and where fats will be deposited. So if having a double chin is a common trait in your family, then chances are you’ll have it too.
4. Poor Posture
You may not realize it, but your posture may also be the reason behind those stubborn pockets of fat under your chin.
If you’re constantly slouching, the muscles connecting your neck to your chin can weaken. When this happens, the skin around your neck area loses support, causing it to sag.
5. Face Shape
Your face shape and bone structure also determine your likelihood of suffering from submental fat. People with weak jaws do not have enough structure to support the skin and tissues around their chin area. So even just a slight weight gain can cause them to develop a double chin.
6. Teeth Loss
This may come as a surprise, but losing your teeth, especially those in the back part of your mouth, can lead to a double chin. It can cause your lower facial structure to collapse.
As a result, the fat pads around your cheeks slowly travel downward. With this excess weight, the skin around your jaw will sag, causing a double chin to form.
How Does Botox Work?
Botox is a non-invasive medical procedure that uses a derivative of a neurotoxin to treat signs of aging. It works by blocking the nerve signals around the treatment area. This prevents the muscles from moving, which, in turn, prevents the skin from wrinkling.
Commonly used to treat fine lines and wrinkles, botox can also help tighten your skin. Its effects, however, are temporary, and the results usually wear off after 3-4 months.
When Can You Use Botox for Double Chin?
As I said, botox can help improve the appearance of your double chin by tightening the skin around it. So botox is ideal for submental fat caused by aging or poor posture. These factors cause the skin to sag, and tightening them can significantly improve your chin’s appearance.
But if your submental fat is caused by a deposit of excess fat rather than sagging skin, you can also combine botox with other submental fat treatments.
Other Alternatives to Botox for Double Chin
If botox doesn’t give you the results you were waiting for, here are some other alternatives you can try:
1. Kybella
Dubbed as the ultimate double chin buster, Kybella is the first and only FDA-approved non-surgical treatment for submental fat. It uses deoxycholic acid to melt excess fat deposits underneath your chin.
Like botox, it’s non-invasive and requires minimal downtime. Unlike botox, however, Kybella offers permanent results.
2. Mesotherapy
Mesotherapy is a procedure that involves injecting vitamins, medicines, plant extracts, hormones, and other substances into your subcutaneous fat. The formulation will depend on your exact needs.
Like Kybella, mesotherapy is also designed to melt fat deposits by targeting and breaking down adipose fat cells. Since it only involves an injection, it requires minimal downtime. It also offers permanent results.
3. PDO Threads Facelift
This non-surgical facelift uses Polydioxanone (PDO) threads to tighten and lift up the skin on the face. The threads act as a scaffolding that lifts up your chin and prevents the skin from sagging. They’re also dissolvable too, so they are completely absorbed into the skin after a few months.
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About The Author
Judy Ponio has been writing about health and beauty topics for years. As an experienced writer, she makes sure to only use information from reputable sources and peer-reviewed studies. Her writing has also appeared on various US-based sites.
