Treatment of Submental Fullness
Double Chin Treatment
Our special treatments can be used to reduce double chin fat. These treatments are a non-surgical alternative to neck liposuction.
What is double chin treatment?
Double chin treatment helps reduce fat cells in the neck and help create a more defined jawline. The treatment uses deoxycholic acid and phosphatidylcholine, which cause a reduction of fat cells when administered directly to the area of concern.
The fat cells are permanently destroyed making them unable to expand again with weight gain.
What is submental fat?
Excess submental fat is commonly referred to as a ‘double chin’. It is an area of great concern for many of those affected and is often resistant to change despite weight loss. Naturally, genetics plays a significant role in fat deposition in this area. This is exemplified by those who have disproportionate amounts of submental fat despite healthy weight levels.
Fat in this area can contribute to an ill-defined jawline and a blunted angle between the jawline and the neck rather than a more favourable angle of 90 to 100 degrees.
The fat addressed by our treatments is the pre-platysmal fat. This is the fat that lies superficial to the platysma muscle. This is the large sheet muscle of the neck. The platysma muscle separates this fat from the major blood vessels in the neck and the airway.
What causes double chin fat?
Several factors can contribute to a double chin, including:
- Age – Our skin loses elasticity as we age, and gravity pulls it down. This can cause saggy skin under the chin
- Excess fat – Carrying excess fat can contribute to a double chin but often isn’t the main reason
- Genetics – this is the most significant cause of disproportionate fat distribution in the neck
- Poor posture – Constant slouching can weaken neck and chin muscles and result in a double chin
Our treatments can help improve the appearance of a double chin by destroying the fat cells and rendering them unable to store fat. This procedure can remove a double chin without the need for surgery.
What are the benefits of treating submental fullness?
Our treatments can be an option for those who do not wish to have surgery. The main benefits include the following:
- Convenience – The procedure only takes a few minutes, and most patients will require 2-3 treatments.
- Minimal recovery time – Because this procedure is non-invasive, there is not as much downtime, and you may only need 1-2 days off work. Some patients will require up to 1 week off work.
- Effectiveness – Results may be visible after 4-6 weeks after your last treatment
How does the treatment work?
Our treatment uses deoxycholic acid and phosphatidylcholine that help to break down fat cells and allow the body to resorb the fat naturally. The fat cells are permanently destroyed through a process known as adipocytolysis, in which the membranes are disrupted, and the cells break down.
Am I a suitable candidate for treating submental fullness / double chin?
A double chin can be a significant concern to those affected by this problem. We often see this concern in those who are not overweight, and weight loss does not always improve the problem. Fat in this region tends to blunt the jawline and cause a lack of definition between the face and the neck. Removal of this fat has an anti-ageing effect by improving the framing of the face.
Traditionally, the treatment for a double chin is liposuction. However, many people do not wish to have surgery and prefer a less invasive method of fat removal. Our treatments are a viable alternative for those who want to avoid surgery and its associated risks.
The suitability for the procedure is determined by the amount of skin laxity and the amount of fat:
- Generally, these treatments are best suited to small or moderate excess fat deposits. For larger deposits of fat, liposuction is a more effective solution.
- It is important to recognise that these treatments do not improve loose skin. Skin laxity needs to be addressed with other methods (for example, a surgical neck lift) rather than fat removal alone.
Therefore, our treatments are best suited to those who want to remove smaller pockets of fat and have good-quality skin without significant laxity.
Who is not a suitable candidate?
We do not recommend these treatments to women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
You will need to inform our aesthetic nurse about any previous or planned surgeries or cosmetic treatments on your face, neck or chin.
You will also need to let our aesthetic nurse know about any medical conditions or infections near the area and any medications you’re taking.
We will let you know if any of these factors render you unsuitable for the treatment or if precautions need to be taken.
*Suitability for treatment will be determined during your consultation.
What are the side effects?
Side effects are usually mild and will disappear within 30 days. Possible side effects include:
- Swelling – is universal with this treatment and can be reduced by wearing a compression garment afterwards.
- Temporary numbness in the treatment area usually wears off within 30 days.
- Warmth or heat – Many patients will experience warmth under their chin immediately following the procedure, accompanied by redness.
- Firmness – Many patients will feel firmness under their chin after the procedure, which may last several weeks.
- Bruising – Some patients may experience mild bruising after the procedure. This should subside within a few days.
- Itching – Some patients will feel an itching or prickly sensation briefly. If you experience this, do not itch or massage the area.
Rare side effects include weakness of facial muscles and trouble swallowing. This could occur if the treatment affected any of the facial nerves. If this does happen, the problem will be temporary and should resolve itself.
How do I prepare for the treatment?
You do not need any specific preparation before getting a treatment for submental fullness. You should limit alcohol and anti-inflammatory medication and try to book your appointment when you can leave yourself a few days for recovery. There will be some swelling after the treatment, so this is important to consider if you are in a client-facing job.
Before the procedure, you will have an initial consultation with our aesthetic nurse to determine whether or not you are a good candidate for the treatment. During this consultation, the nurse will discuss the possible side effects and the extent of the post-treatment swelling.
What can I expect after the treatment?
This will depend on the size of the treatment performed. In most cases, there is a significant degree of swelling that lasts from a few days to a few weeks. Swelling will be primarily determined by the amount of product used. The swelling may also get worse in the days following the procedure. Tenderness of the area treated is also present for that time. In some cases, hard lumps form, which can take time to reduce size. Bruising is also a common side effect and can last up to 2 weeks.
You will be given instructions on how to care for the area after the treatment. You can apply ice for 5 minutes at a time, but it’s better to minimise the use of ice to allow the treatment to work.
FAQ
How many treatments will I need?
Most patients will need 2-3 sessions, depending on the amount of fat that needs to be dissolved.
Do the results look natural?
The results are very natural looking because the treatment doesn’t alter facial expressions or affect a person’s natural facial features.
Is there any downtime required after the treatment?
No downtime is required after the treatment, but you will experience significant swelling. There may also be bruising in the area treated. You may wish to stay home until the swelling subsides, but you can return to normal daily activities.
When can I see the results?
The fat cells will start to dissolve within 15 minutes after the treatment. However, the swelling will take at least 3-4 weeks to subside completely. Results will become more apparent in 4 to 6 weeks following your last treatment.
You may need two or more treatments to achieve your desired results.
Book a Free Consultation
During the initial consultation, our aesthetic nurse will chat with you about what you would like to achieve from the treatment, as well as talk you through the procedure. It’s also a great opportunity to get answers to any other questions you may have.
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