A double chin occurs when pockets of excess fat cells accumulate under the chin, creating the appearance of submental fullness and an uncontoured jawline. The appearance of a double chin can be caused by various factors, including weight gain, genetics, increased skin laxity due to decreased collagen production over time, and a buildup of neck fat. According to the American Society of Dermatology Surgery, as many as two-thirds of all patients feel self-conscious about the appearance of a double chin or submental fat, causing many to look for a treatment option. Despite a balanced diet, regular exercise, and weight loss, stubborn fat may remain under the chin. While plastic surgery treatment options are available, including neck lift surgery, liposuction, and a surgical facelift, any invasive surgical procedure requires significant downtime and a higher risk of severe side effects. Luckily, many non-surgical options for reducing the appearance of a double chin are available in the office of expert board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green.

Patients seeking jawline rejuvenation and chin fat elimination can use several non-surgical procedures to access their desired results. Using a combination of treatment methods, including injection lipolysis, laser lipolysis, cryolipolysis, and radiofrequency laser treatment, Dr. Green can destroy fat cells, slim and contour the jawline, and improve skin elasticity without the need for a visit to a plastic surgeon. Non-surgical treatment options that use these principles, including Kybella injectable lipolysis, CoolSculpting for freezing fat cells, and Thermage radiofrequency laser for skin tightening, eliminate the appearance of a double chin without requiring invasive treatments or significant downtime. To determine if non-surgical chin fat removal is the right option, schedule your appointment with Dr. Michele Green.

Experienced board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green has been expertly treating patients at her Upper East Side New York Dermatology office for more than 25 years. Dr. Green is an expert in minimally invasive cosmetic procedures, including Botox, Juvederm, laser treatments, dermal fillers, and Kybella injections, which she expertly performs daily in her New York City cosmetic dermatology practice. Dr. Green ensures that all patients experience quality care and full body rejuvenation and has been consistently voted one of the best doctors in New York City by Super Doctors, Castle Connolly, The New York Times, and New York Magazine.

Kybella before and after, male

What is a non-surgical neck lift for double chin reduction?

Submental fullness—a double chin—occurs when fat cells accumulate under the chin. This fullness under the chin can lead to a less defined jawline that can emphasize the appearance of sagging and heavy jowls. Patients who feel self-conscious about the appearance of a double chin can turn to non-surgical double chin reduction procedures, which are safe and effective alternatives to plastic surgery, like neck lift surgery, liposuction, or a facelift. Non-surgical neck lifts for double chin reduction use one or a combination of treatment options that rely on three main principles to reduce or remove stubborn pockets of fat. These principles are 1) cryolipolysis, 2) injection lipolysis, and 3) radiofrequency laser skin tightening.

  1. Cryolipolysis utilizes freezing temperatures to target and destroy fat cells. CoolSculpting and CoolTone are two procedures that utilize this principle to contour the body. This works because fat freezes at a higher temperature than the skin. The cryolipolysis device cools the fat to a temperature that destroys it while leaving your skin and tissues unharmed. This procedure typically takes about half an hour to an hour and a half, depending on the targeted areas; during that time, about 25% of the fat cells in the area are destroyed. Results usually appear after a few months as your immune system slowly clears out the dead fat cells.
  2. Injection lipolysis typically utilizes deoxycholic acid, an acid normally found in our bodies that breaks down and absorbs fat. Deoxycholic acid breaks down fat in the digestive system by destroying the cell membranes. When injected within fat cells, the same thing happens. Kybella injections are the first and only FDA-injectable drug for dissolving and contouring submental fat and reducing the appearance of moderate to severe fat under the skin using deoxycholic acid. Once injected into the fat cells, these cells can no longer store or accumulate fat.
  3. For patients experiencing high skin laxity along the face and jawline, which can contribute to the appearance of jowls and double chins, radiofrequency laser skin tightening, such as Thermage RF laser, is the best treatment option. Thermage works by emitting radiofrequency energy, which causes controlled heat damage to the tissue. This triggers the body’s natural healing response and boosts collagen production to tighten the skin. Dr. Green will combine non-invasive fat removal treatments with Thermage for fat reduction and skin tightening.

How to get rid of chin fat non-surgically

Patients often ask, “How do you get rid of a double chin without surgery?” A double chin can form when fat accumulates in the submental area due to weight gain, genetics, or the natural aging process. Many patients feel bothered by submental fullness, causing them to seek out treatment options for reducing fat in the chin area. Kybella injections are specifically FDA-approved for dissolving stubborn pockets of fat under the chin. When injected into submental fat pockets, Kybella destroys the fat cells, “debulking” the treated area for a slimmer, more contoured look to the chin and jawline. Dr. Green may pair Kybella with CoolSculpting fat-freezing treatment in targeted areas with severe submental fullness. CoolSculpting works to freeze the fat cells, causing them to rupture. The body then metabolizes the destroyed fat cells, slimming the treated area by 25% each treatment session. When a double chin is caused in some part by loose skin, fat-dissolving injections can be paired with skin-tightening treatments, such as Thermage radiofrequency laser treatment, for the best results.

What is Kybella Treatment?

Kybella is the first and only FDA-injectable drug approved for dissolving and contouring submental fat and reducing the appearance of moderate to severe fat under the chin. The active ingredient in Kybella is a synthetic version of deoxycholic acid. Deoxycholic acid is a substance that occurs naturally in the body and aids in the absorption and breakdown of dietary fat. Kybella injections can quickly, safely, and effectively melt the excess fat in the double chin in as little as three treatment sessions. The procedure takes only a few minutes, and tiny injections of Kybella are taken into the designated treatment area. After some minimal swelling, the fat cells are permanently treated. Each injectable treatment takes 4 to 6 weeks to see the full cosmetic results. After several treatment sessions, the submental fat is gone, creating a smooth, more youthful neck and jawline. Many patients combine their Kybella injections with dermal fillers for the chin and jawline to enhance the contour of the submental area.

AM 6 months before and after 4 Kybella MGWatermark

How does Kybella work?

Kybella is an FDA-approved injectable treatment designed to eliminate fat cells using deoxycholic acid. Deoxycholic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body that helps to absorb and break down dietary fat. When the synthetic form of deoxycholic acid present in Kybella is injected into the treatment area, it dissolves the membrane of the fat cells in that area. Following the dissolution of the membrane, the body can metabolize the cells and flush them, thereby removing them permanently from the body. Studies have demonstrated that 68.2% of patients who receive Kybella experience a significant decrease in fat cells in the submental area, while 80% of patients report feeling happier following the treatment.

What is CoolSculpting?

CoolSculpting is an FDA-approved treatment option for eliminating fat deposits and one of the most popular chin fat reduction treatments for reducing submental fullness through cryolipolysis. Cryolipolysis is a process of fat freezing that was originally discovered by two Harvard University researchers who noticed that kids who consumed many popsicles would lose fat cells in their cheeks. The technology relies on the higher freezing temperature of fat cells to eliminate fat cells while leaving the surrounding cells unharmed. Through a CoolSculpting applicator, patients can eliminate fat cells in targeted treatment areas of unwanted fat without downtime or invasive procedures. Additionally, the results of CoolSculpting are entirely permanent, as the fat cells are frozen and removed through the body’s natural metabolic processes. Dr. Green will often turn to the CoolMini to eliminate the appearance of a double chin—an excellent CoolSculpting applicator that can eliminate excess fat beneath the jawline.

KZ before and after Coolmini MGWatermark

How does CoolSculpting work?

CoolSculpting is an FDA-approved, non-invasive body contouring treatment designed for fat reduction in stubborn problem areas for healthy patients. CoolSculpting reduces the fat cells in any treatment area by 25 percent without any side effects. It uses patented cooling technology to deliver targeted and controlled cooling to specific areas of your body, affecting only fat cells and ensuring no harm to any surrounding tissue or cells. Fat cells freeze at higher temperatures than the surrounding tissue. This process causes the fat bulges to be “frozen,” the body excretes these fat cells through its natural metabolic process, so no increased skin laxity is associated with this treatment. The full results of CoolSculpting can be seen four months after the procedure, but results can be visible within a few weeks.

Is CoolSculpting or Kybella better for chin fat removal?

CoolSculpting and Kybella are two non-surgical procedures that are safe and effective for chin fat removal. Neither treatment option is inherently “better” than the other. Rather, Dr. Green will help you determine which cosmetic procedure will best suit your specific needs and aesthetic goals. Often, Dr. Green will combine CoolSculpting with Kybella for more dramatic results. In cases of severe submental fullness, Dr. Green may use CoolSculpting first to “debulk” the area. Then, Kybella injections will help to dissolve the remaining fat cells in the targeted area.

What is the best non-surgical double chin fat removal?

Patients often ask, “What is the best non-surgical chin fat removal procedure?” The answer depends on several factors, including the size and scope of the treatment area, the amount of skin laxity present, and each patient’s aesthetic goals. For moderate to severe submental fullness cases, Dr. Green often turns to a combination approach of CoolSculpting fat-freezing treatment and Kybella injectable fat-dissolving treatment. If patients are experiencing a high degree of skin laxity or loose skin, Dr. Green will pair fat reduction treatments with a skin tightening treatment, such as Thermage RF laser treatment. Some patients may want to improve the projection of their chin, and to do so, may turn to dermal filler treatments, like Juvederm Volux. To determine which non-surgical treatment or combination of treatments will be best for you, schedule an initial consultation with expert dermatologist Dr. Michele Green.

Chin fat removal FAQs

Are non-surgical procedures better than Liposuction?

Liposuction is a surgical procedure performed under an anesthetic to remove fat cells from the targeted area. First, a small incision is made at the treatment area, and a blunt cannula is inserted, which removes fat cells via suction. Unlike non-surgical treatments like Kybella and CoolSculpting, the Liposuction treatment results can be seen immediately and only require one treatment session. However, the ample downtime and associated surgery risks often dissuade patients from this procedure. Non-invasive fat reduction has become one of the most popular treatments for double chin, as there is no downtime required, the fat cells are naturally metabolized and eliminated, and the results are permanent.

How can you get fat removed from your chin?

Several treatment options are available for removing chin fat. Surgical options, including liposuction, neck lifts, and facelifts, can provide dramatic results in a single treatment session. However, the recovery time is long, and the risk of developing serious side effects from the surgery (including pain, bleeding, infection, and scarring) is higher than in non-surgical cosmetic procedures. Patients who do not wish to go under the knife can use non-surgical fat removal options, like Kybella injections for dissolving fat, CoolSculpting fat-freezing treatment, or Thermage RF treatment for skin tightening.

What is non-surgical chin removal?

Non-surgical chin fat removal is a combination of cosmetic procedures that reduce the appearance of a double chin by destroying fat cells in the targeted areas and increasing skin elasticity. To reduce submental fullness and contour the jawline, Dr. Green will dissolve stubborn pockets of fat using Kybella injections and CoolSculpting. Kybella works via the active ingredient deoxycholic acid, which destroys the membrane of fat cells, causing them to be metabolized by the body. CoolSculpting works via the principle of cryolipolysis to freeze fat cells, causing them to burst. Often, Dr. Green will combine both treatments for more dramatic results. Suppose a double chin is exacerbated by loose skin. In that case, Dr. Green will turn to Thermage radiofrequency skin tightening, which uses RF energy to heat the inner layers of skin, boosting collagen production for higher skin elasticity.

What is the best non-surgical way to remove chin fat?

The best first step in creating the best non-surgical chin fat removal treatment plan is to schedule a consultation with experienced board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green. With a wide range of treatment options available at her Upper East Side New York City dermatology office, Dr. Green is an expert in generating the treatment plan that will be safest and most effective for you. Depending on your aesthetic goals and the severity of the submental fullness present, Dr. Green will recommend the non-surgical cosmetic procedures that best meet your needs.

Is non-surgical chin fat reduction safe?

When patients seek treatment from an expert, board-certified dermatologist like Dr. Michele Green, chin fat-dissolving treatment is a safe and effective option for contouring the neck and jawline. Dr. Green uses Kybella, which has been FDA-approved for dissolving submental fat after clinical trials proving its safety and efficacy. The risk of serious side effects is extremely low when you seek treatment from an expert injector like Dr. Green. More inexperienced injectors, like those found at a MedSpa, may be more likely to perform the injections incorrectly, placing the Kybella too near to the mandibular nerve, which can lead to nerve injury, muscle weakness, and an uneven smile. Unapproved off-brand fat-dissolving treatments can also be purchased online, which are potentially dangerous to patients. Non-FDA-approved treatments have been found to lead to serious adverse events, such as infection, scarring, deep cysts, skin deformities, and pain. Therefore, seeking a board-certified dermatologist, such as Dr. Green, who uses safe and effective products and injection practices, is essential.

Does non-surgical chin fat removal work?

When performed by an expert dermatologist like Dr. Green, chin fat dissolving is a safe and highly effective treatment option for patients looking to eliminate submental fat for a slimmer, more contoured neck and jawline. Dr. Green uses Kybella, which is the only FDA-approved injectable treatment for reducing areas of stubborn fat under the chin. After more than 20 clinical trials with more than 2600 patients, Kybella was demonstrated to permanently eliminate moderate to severe submental fat in three to six treatment sessions. When combined with Thermage skin tightening and CoolSculpting fat-dissolving treatment, patients experience their permanent desired results. To determine which treatment options will be best for you, schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Michele Green.

LT 25yo female before and after Kybella submental x4 1 and a half years apart MGWatermark

How to get started with non-surgical double chin removal today

Submental fullness, also known as the “double chin,” is characterized by stubborn pockets of fat in the chin area and can make many patients self-conscious. According to the American Society for Dermatological Surgery (ASDS), a recent study demonstrated that 67% of patients felt uncomfortable with fat accumulation under the chin. A double chin and sagging jowls can be nuisances because even with a healthy diet and a steady exercise regimen, accumulated submental fat is difficult to eliminate without the help of a cosmetic procedure. Luckily, safe and effective non-surgical treatment options are available for reducing stubborn pockets of fat under the chin. Many non-surgical cosmetic procedures are available, including Kybella, the first FDA-approved injectable treatment for dissolving unwanted fat in the submental area, Coolsculpting fat-freezing treatment to debulk the targeted area through cryolipolysis, and Thermage RF therapy for boosting collagen and tightening the skin. The best first step in eliminating your double chin is to schedule a consultation with expert NYC dermatologist Dr. Michele Green.

Dr. Michele Green is an internationally renowned board-certified dermatologist with over two and a half decades of experience providing her patients with the best non-invasive treatment options. Dr. Green takes a holistic approach and embraces a less-is-more philosophy, creating customized skincare routines and treatment plans that cater to her patient’s unique concerns and aesthetic goals. She is consistently identified as one of New York’s best dermatologists by Castle Connolly, New York Magazine, and Super Doctors for her dedication to her patients and expertise. Please call us at 212-535-3088 or email our New York City-based office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Michele Green to determine which non-surgical fat-dissolving treatments are right for you.

Related Topics

NYC Office (212) 535-3088