What can I do about my double chin?
What causes a double chin?
A double chin or sub-mental fat as it is otherwise known, is a common issue in both women and men and is a result of a layer of fat forming below the chin. People generally believe that it is solely caused and associated with weight gain and lack of exercise, but often it is a case of genetics or sagging skin that is a result of ageing. Drooping skin underneath the chin can make a double chin appear larger. Understandably, it can really affect people’s confidence and be the first thing that people see when they look in the mirror.
Is surgery the only option to remove a double chin?
Even if someone is naturally slim or has worked hard at losing weight, unwanted chin fat can resist diet and exercise, which is why even fit people can have a double chin. Whilst diet and exercise focused weight loss/weight management can certainly reduce the appearance of a double chin, in order to permanently remove it then surgical intervention is the best option. Results are long-lasting, provided a consistent, managed weight is maintained.
Hiroshi considers chin liposuction to be the fastest, most effective way to remove a double chin and liposuction can be performed as part of an overall face and neck lift for enhanced results. For the sagging face, liposuction is usually not appropriate but a facelift with selective liposuction under the chin may help with overall skin rejuvenation.
What is Liposuction?
Liposuction is the controlled removal of subcutaneous fat in order to re-shape the contour of the face, body or limbs and is often used in in conjunction with abdominoplasty (tummy tucks), breast reduction and face lifts (especially under the chin).
Tubes (cannulae) are inserted under the skin, connected to a suction devise. Suction Assisted Liposuction (SAL) has evolved so that it is now usually carried out after the area to be treated is first infiltrated with local anaesthetic solution. This allows the fat to be removed less traumatically and for many cases to be performed under sedation and local anaesthetic as a day case.
Patient Selection & Safety
For all cases, safety must come first; patients should be fit and have a normal body mass index and a sensible volume of fat removed. In fact, it is not the amount of fat in litres that is the yard stick but a “judged change” in shape in the appropriate area, using the correct cannula, that are the keys to success in a well-informed, fit patient. The assessment and the selection is paramount and this requires judgement and experience.
Hiroshi Nishikawa performs double chin liposuction surgery under local anaesthetic and sedation as a day case at his private practice at The Westbourne Centre in Birmingham.