Double chins may result from aging, a higher BMI, or genetics. Depending on the root cause, patients may be able to treat submental fat (fat beneath the chin) with exercise and weight loss, certain injectables, or — our method of choice — liposuction.
Chin liposuction is highly effective at reducing fat beneath the chin and creating that graceful, snatched look patients are after. However, there is no such thing as a perfect surgery without drawbacks. As with everything in life, there are pros and cons.
Below, we’ll go over these in relation to chin liposuction. Chin lipo is one of our very favorite procedures because of the amazingly natural and stunning results it can produce. Still, if you are considering this procedure, it’s important to understand all sides before proceeding.
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Pros and cons of Chin Liposuction
Below, we’ve outlined the pros and cons of chin liposuction. If you have any questions about this procedure or its benefits and drawbacks, please feel free to contact us and book a consultation appointment with Dr. Lahar.
Double Chin Liposuction benefits
Little else can be done for double chins.
If you have excess fat beneath your chin, even diet and exercise may not help to improve your chin’s appearance. In fact, in many cases, diet and exercise will do nothing. This is generally what happens when the root cause of your double chin is genetics.
The chin is one of your most noticeable features.
Everyone has a feature on their face or body they would like to improve, but when the area you want to improve is right on your face and visible to everyone, it can make an even more significant difference.
The procedure is minimally invasive.
Especially when compared to more invasive plastic surgeries such as tummy tucks or even full-body liposuction, chin liposuction is quite a small surgery. It is minimally invasive because it only requires a few small incisions and a relatively short recovery period.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), liposuction is performed through small, inconspicuous incisions, with a thin hollow cannula used to loosen and remove excess fat using a controlled back-and-forth motion.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), liposuction is performed through small, inconspicuous incisions, with a thin hollow cannula used to loosen and remove excess fat using a controlled back-and-forth motion.
Chin lipo can help with lax skin as you age.
When there is excess fat on the body, the skin stretches to accommodate it. Therefore, if you were to leave the excess fat on your chin, as you age, the skin would be stretched beyond its normal limits, which would ultimately cause sagging and loose skin. If you can help the skin retract back by eliminating excess fat, you can ideally reduce lax skin as you get older.
Chin liposuction is permanent.
Once fat is removed from the chin and neck area via liposuction, the results are permanent. The fat will not grow back unless you gain significant weight.
A scoping review published in PMC (NCBI) confirms that submental liposuction produces lasting contour improvement, with fat cells in the treated area permanently removed following the procedure.
In our practice, patients consistently maintain their results long-term when they keep a stable weight. The permanence of chin lipo is one of the most rewarding things to discuss with patients during consultation.
– Dr. Lahar
Double Chin Liposuction drawbacks
Scarring is inevitable.
Any surgery that requires incisions will leave scars. The good news is that scars resulting from chin lipo are extremely small (around 3 to 4 mm in length). They’re also well-hidden beneath the chin and behind the ears.
Chin lipo can’t help loose skin.
Long-term, liposuction on the chin can reduce skin laxity by reducing the amount of skin that has to stretch to accommodate fat. But short-term (if you already have loose neck skin), chin lipo won’t be able to help.
You’ll need to schedule some downtime after the procedure.
Again, all surgeries (even minimally invasive ones) require some downtime. This means you’ll need to schedule some time off from work or school — usually around one to two weeks at most.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) notes that post-liposuction recovery involves wearing a compression garment to minimize swelling and aid healing, with most patients resuming normal activities gradually over the following weeks.
While general recovery guidelines suggest one to two weeks, in our practice most patients return to light activity and desk work by day seven to ten, depending on their individual healing response.
– Dr. Lahar
What to expect: your Chin Liposuction experience step by step
Anesthesia
Typically, local anesthesia is all the patient needs for this procedure. It is an outpatient procedure. That means you can go home when it’s done.
The ASPS Practice Advisory on Liposuction notes that local anesthetic infiltrate solutions are often sufficient for small-volume procedures such as submental liposuction.
Incisions
Once you’ve received anesthesia, incisions will be made. Incisions are only a few millimeters long and are placed in discreet areas along your chin and neckline.
Liposuction with a cannula
The liposuction portion of the procedure actually removes the fat from the body. Your surgeon will use a cannula, a thin metal tube. The cannula will be inserted into the incisions and will agitate the fat beneath the chin. It will then suction out the excess fat.
As outlined in the ASPS liposuction procedure guidelines, the cannula is moved in a controlled back-and-forth motion to loosen fat before it is suctioned from the body.
Incisions closed
Lastly, your plastic surgeon will carefully close your incisions to enable proper healing. You will be placed in a head bandage and taken to a recovery room for monitoring before being released to return home.
FAQ
Can liposuction help a double chin?
Yes. Double chins are generally caused by unwanted fat that has accumulated beneath the chin and along the neck. Liposuction is the process of manually removing fat, so the procedure can definitely improve the appearance of a double chin.
A study published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal found that submental liposuction patients report greater satisfaction and more positive outcomes compared to non-surgical injectable alternatives for submental fat reduction.
How long does double chin lipo take to heal?
Healing from double chin removal usually takes about 1 to 2 weeks. You’ll need to take about 1 week off work, and it will be slightly longer before you can return to your regular routine, including exercise. It may take several months for all swelling to go down.
How painful is chin liposuction?
In the first few days after surgery, you may experience some pain and discomfort. But this soreness will go away quickly, and you’ll be left with just swelling as your main symptom for several weeks.
What is the best treatment for double chin excess fat?
The quickest and most effective treatment for double chin excess fat is chin liposuction.
Can chin liposuction be combined with other procedures?
Yes, many patients pair chin liposuction with treatments like a neck lift, facelift, or skin tightening to enhance overall contour. Combining procedures can create more dramatic, harmonious results with a single recovery period.
Book your consultation appointment
If you would like more information regarding chin liposuction, please schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Nicholas Lahar. We look forward to hearing from you!
References
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Liposuction: Procedure Steps. PlasticSurgery.org. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/liposuction/procedure
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Liposuction: Recovery. PlasticSurgery.org. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/liposuction/recovery
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Practice Advisory on Liposuction: Executive Summary. PlasticSurgery.org. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/medical-professionals/health-policy/key-issues/executive-summary-on-liposuction.pdf
- Diniz Araujo D, et al. Complications associated with submental liposuction: a scoping review. PMC/PubMed. 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35420070/
- Tran BNN, et al. Comparison of Patient Reviews for Submental Liposuction and Kybella. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2024. https://academic.oup.com/asj/article/46/4/454/8176838