Quick Answer
Fat and excess skin are two different issues, meaning that double chin treatments have to be specifically designed to tackle one or the other. Thus, if the problem is localized fat deposits, treatments will be aimed against them, while if the problem is loose skin, suitable loose tissue may be tightened and substantial excess skin may need to be surgically removed. In some cases, both may contribute to the problem, and both have to be treated. FaceTite utilizes radiofrequency to heat up the underlying tissues and cause their contraction.
What are the Causes Behind Double Chin?
A double chin can be caused by several different tissues, each of which may require a different treatment.
- Fat beneath the chin: Submental fat is fat that lies under your chin. It creates fullness under your jawline, and it’s a different tissue than the skin above it. Fat reduction treatments will target this.
- Loose skin and lack of support: According to MedlinePlus, aging can make your skin less thick and your muscles less firm, contributing to sagging. Sagging jowls then create the impression of a double chin.
- A combination of the two: Voluminous fullness and sagging skin can occur at the same time. However, fat reduction and skin tightening target different concerns, so addressing one doesn’t automatically address the other. Furthermore, you can’t always tell the difference between the two by looking or pinching.
Fat reduction and skin tightening treat different causes of a double chin, which is why determining what’s causing your double chin is an essential first step in any double chin treatment plan.
Submental Fat vs. Loose Skin vs. Both: Differences
| Submental Fat | Loose Skin | Both |
|---|---|---|
| Rounded fullness beneath the chin | Sagging or hanging skin beneath the chin | Fullness beneath the chin with sagging skin |
| Jawline definition may be obscured by fat | Jawline may appear less defined due to skin laxity | Jawline definition may be reduced by both |
| Skin may appear relatively smooth | Skin may appear thin, crepey, or wrinkled | Loose or wrinkled skin alongside fullness |
What are the Treatments or Solutions To Remove Your Double Chin ?
FaceTite is a radiofrequency treatment that involves inserting a fine probe under the skin to heat up the deep tissue, with the goal of shrinking loose skin on the lower face and neck. This may be considered when a double chin involves loose skin, whether or not fat also contributes. It’s also a less invasive option for appropriately selected patients who might otherwise consider a lower face and neck lift, though it does not provide the same skin removal.
Heating up the tissue underneath the skin is different than liposuction removal of fat, which is a separate step when included. Some protocols for RF treatments include suctioning fat, and others do not.
Who is a Candidate for a FaceTite?
Suitable For
- Those with mild to moderate skin laxity, such as slight jowl development
- Fullness under the chin, some skin looseness, or a combination of the two
- Patients seeking skin tightening and definition who understand this treatment does not provide the same results as a surgical tightening procedure
May need another approach:
- Those with substantial excess skin or significant laxity, since a surgical procedure, such as a neck lift, may be a better match
- Those whose fullness has a different cause, which may call for a different treatment
FaceTite Treatment At Hudson Aesthetics MD
FaceTite at Hudson Aesthetics MD is a minimally invasive procedure ideal for patients seeking improvement in the appearance of their lower cheeks, jawline, neck, and jaw definition. Patients often notice that their lower face and neck have lost some of their definition and shape, particularly in the area below the chin. The FaceTite treatment is used to define the jaw line and tighten suitable loose tissue under the chin where appropriate. However, it’s not suitable for all types of necks, or double chins.
Dr. Kerline Marcelin performs the FaceTite procedure. She is board certified in ophthalmology by the American Board of Ophthalmology and board certified in aesthetic medicine by the American Academy of Procedural Medicine. She has more than 25 years of medical and surgical experience.
The treatment begins with a consultation in our Cortlandt Manor office. Dr. Marcelin will analyze and assess your anatomy and skin type and go over the details of the procedure, cost, and your personal expectations and concerns. The procedure itself is performed in-office and is completed under local anesthesia with the option of oral sedation. The surgery generally takes between 30 and 60 minutes per treated area, and you’ll be able to return home the same day. After your procedure, we will provide you with post-surgery care instructions.
What is implemented During the Procedure?
These are the tools and measures that contribute to your treatment, and what they do.
No procedure in the world is completely risk free, but these measures help support a controlled procedure.
- RF handpiece and fine probe: FaceTite utilizes dual-electrode RF energy. A fine probe is introduced beneath the skin, allowing the RF energy to penetrate to deeper tissues, rather than just heating the surface of the skin.
- Temperature monitoring: The use of real-time dual temperature monitoring helps track tissue heating and control the energy being delivered, but it does not eliminate the possibility of complications.
- Local anesthetic: The area to be treated is numbed. We also offer oral sedation as an option for your procedure, though comfort can vary from person to person.
- Physician-performed treatment: Your procedure will be performed by Dr. Marcelin in person.
How It Works to Remove Your Double Chin ?
FaceTite employs bipolar radiofrequency energy that flows between a probe beneath the skin and an electrode on its surface. The heat generated by this radiofrequency energy affects deeper underlying tissues and the connective-tissue framework that supports them. This heating causes tissue contraction and gradual collagen remodeling.
Heating the tissue is not equivalent to removing fat. When liposuction is included in a treatment plan, it is the step that physically suctions out fat. The goal is to improve jawline or under-chin contour in suitable patients, though the degree of improvement varies.
How Much Time It Takes To Show Results ?
Results are generally progressive and become more apparent as remodelling takes place. At Hudson Aesthetics MD, this is how results typically appear among our patients, as outlined on our treatment page:
- First changes: early improvements at about 6–8 weeks
- Clearer results: more developed results at about 3–6 months
- Afterward: continuing refinement, potentially up to 9–12 months
These are typical guidelines, not hard and fast rules.
What are The Risks ?
A review in Annals of Plastic Surgery, available through the National Library of Medicine, reports several adverse effects of subsurface radiofrequency treatments. These include swelling, numbness, and hardened regions or lumps beneath the skin. Some symptoms can persist rather than resolve quickly.
More serious reported effects include burns and weakness of the marginal mandibular nerve, which may limit lower-lip movement.
Since the review covers different devices and techniques, it does not establish the complication rate for your particular treatment. You should consult with your clinician about your options, risks, and recovery for this treatment.
Who Should Choose Treatment ?
FaceTite may be worth considering if your concern matches what the treatment can address, like loose tissue along your jawline or under your chin, and the improvement you can realistically expect is one you would be happy with. It’s a less invasive procedure, though its results are not equivalent to skin-removing surgery.
If you have more significant amounts of hanging skin to remove or if your fullness is caused by something other than loose skin, then this might not be an effective procedure for you. Think over whether you’re willing to accept the recovery, cost, limitations, and risks. Another approach, or no treatment at all, may also be a reasonable choice.
Author Bio
Dr. Kerline Marcelin, MD is Dual Board-Certified in the field of Ophthalmology and Aesthetic Medicine. She has been board-certified in the field of Eye Surgery for over two decades and has performed thousands of microscopic precision eye surgeries. This extensive experience gives her a thorough understanding of the complexities of treating cosmetic patients and the anatomy of the eye and face.