Double Chin

A double chin, known medically as “submental fullness” can be caused by:

• Ageing – It can develop naturally as we age
• Genetics – It can be part of our DNA
• Weight changes – It can appear as a result of weight change (diet and exercise may not be enough to remove the fullness).

The following information is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice:

The best results are seen in patients with a BMI within the normal range, who have a localised fat deposit beneath their chin. Often these patients feel that they do not have a defined jawline, or that their face appears to blend into their neck. This treatment may be for you if:

• You’re bothered (unhappy, self-conscious, embarrassed) by fat under the chin;
• You feel the condition makes you look older or heavier than you actually are
• You are someone who grows a beard or wears a scarf to hide your jawline, or avoids having photographs taken that show your side profile;
• You don’t want to have surgery;
• You eat well and exercise, but your double chin does not go away.

A medical consultation is required to assess your suitability and explore all available treatment options.

The following information is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice:

The active ingredient that is used for the medical treatment of localised excess fat deposits  is a synthetic, non-animal form of a bile acid substance found naturally in the body. In your body, bile acids are produced in the liver and secreted into the gut to aid in the breakdown and absorption of fat cells in the diet. When the synthetic version is injected into a localised area of excess fat, it causes disruption of the biological membrane around the fat cells in that region, triggering destruction of those cells in a process called adipocytolysis. Once destroyed, these cells are gradually but permanently eliminated by the body’s natural metabolism and the contour of the area is improved.

The following information is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice:

Treatments take 15-20 minutes and are carried out in the clinic by our Cosmetic Doctors. The treatment area is measured and temporary markings are drawn onto the skin as an injection guide. Ice is then applied to chill the skin. Multiple small injections are performed with a very thin needle through the skin into the fat layer to deliver the product to the exact treatment area.

The following information is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice:

It is possible to treat small localised areas of fat under the chin, jawline and jowls, as well as the pocket of fat in front of the armpit (known as bra-fat). Larger areas are more suitable for alternative treatments, either with energy-based devices or surgical intervention.

Chilling the skin with ice makes the injections very tolerable for the majority of patients, and in most circumstances we also suggest local anaesthetic to improve comfort levels even further. Most patients experience a warm, heating sensation in the area immediately after treatment, which lasts for around 30-60 minutes.

The following information is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice:

In general, fat-dissolving treatments are well tolerated, but as with any medical procedure, some side effects can be expected.

Commonly, patients will experience some mild redness and/or light bruising at the treatment area, and some mild pain or tenderness for up to a week after each treatment.

You should expect some moderate swelling of the treatment area, which is likely to be quite obvious in the first 48hours and usually resolves over the first week. The treatment disrupts the fat cell membrane, which causes an inflammatory process and swelling as the body eliminates the contents of the fat cells. This natural tissue-injury repair process can lead to additional tightening and retraction of the overlying skin, and so is considered part of the treatment process rather than an unwanted adverse effect.
Occasionally, patients may experience temporary numbness in the treated area that resolves spontaneously over the following weeks/months, or small, firm tender lumps/nodules below the skin. These bumps will also resolve on their own over several weeks to months.

It is important that this treatment is performed by a qualified and trained healthcare practitioner with specific knowledge of the relevant anatomy of the treatment area. This minimises the possibility of temporary damage to nerves and blood vessels in and around the area. At SkinBox, all our injectable treatments are carried out by doctors.

The following information is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice:

The number of treatments given varies depending upon the amount of fat in the area. The average patient requires between 1 to 4 treatments but up to 6 treatments can be given. Treatments are spaced at least 6 weeks apart to give the body time to eliminate the treated fat cells between treatments. During your initial consultation, we can usually give you an accurate estimation of the expected number of treatments you will need. If it is likely to be more than 4 treatments, other treatment options are likely to be a more cost-effective solution.

This depends upon your personal anatomy and an accurate quote can only be given in a consultation. Please see our Price List for up to date (general) pricing information.

The following information is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice:

Medical treatment for localised fat-reduction is usually not a one-off event, it is a customised treatment journey. Since the body takes some time to metabolise the fat cells that have been destroyed in the adipocytolysis process, you may not see visible results until after the 2nd or 3rd treatment. Treatments are performed a minimum of 6 weeks apart, but these can be scheduled around work and social engagements that you may have, enabling you to remain in control of your treatment journey. Medicine is not an exact science and occasionally patients have quicker or slower results than we anticipate and if this is the case, your schedule can be adjusted as the journey progresses.

The following information is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice:

Results vary depending upon the individual anatomy, lifestyle, hormonal influences and the treatment modality used. No guarantees can be given.  However, if fat cells are physically removed or destroyed, rather than just made smaller in size, results tend to be long-lasting. If you gain additional weight after a fat-reduction procedure, the treated area will not gain as much fat back proportionally since the number of fat cells in that area have been permanently reduced.

The following information is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice:

Downtime will depend upon the treatment modality (medical/surgical/energy-based).

Some treatments lead to expected swelling, as this is part of the inflammatory response that leads to the natural repair process and tightening of the overlying skin.

Many patients like to time their treatment for the autumn/winter months so that they can comfortably wear a scarf if necessary.

Downtime specific to your treatment would be discussed at your consultation.