Double Chin AirSculpt®: How Much Fat Is Removed?

How many of us have experienced a double chin appearing seemingly out of nowhere in a questionable selfie or wedding photo?

A double chin is often associated with obesity or poor eating habits, but the truth is that age and genetics have just as much influence on this type of sagging.

What Causes a Double Chin?

Also called submental fullness, this condition is caused by excessive volume under the chin and in the neck area. It collects around the neck and tapers downward, creating a wrinkle that appears to form another chin.

Certain angles that lack definition can also give the impression of a double chin. Rapid weight loss often results in drooping skin in the area as well, which sometimes results in extra flab in this area too. It should be noted that submental fullness can occur in both men and women and can be caused by any of the following reasons:

1. excess fat in the neck
2. loose skin
3. a small or weak chin
4. flaccid platysma muscle
5. drooping salivary gland

A common misconception is that a visible double chin is only due to excess fatty tissue when it is often a combination of the above causes.

Natural aging is also a significant cause; with age, we lose elasticity in the skin and are more susceptible to sagging. Some people are genetically more prone to developing fullness under the chin than others. Weight gain can also affect, and people often find that fat in this area is challenging to remove, despite heavy exercise and diet.

The psychological consequences of a double chin can affect self-esteem; people no longer dare to smile or have pictures taken of themselves. A double chin can age the face and even make someone appear heavier than they are.

Double chins are a common problem caused by a variety of factors, but our clinic has a range of treatments available to help you get your smile back.

An Explanation of the Procedure for Double Chins

If stubborn fat is the reason for your double chin, the patented AirSculpt® approach offers an instant solution. Chin AirSculpt® doesn't use scalpels, stitches, needles, or general anesthesia, delivering meaningful results in as little as 20 minutes. Our robotic tools can pluck fat cell by cell through a freckle-sized entry point, whereas with traditional treatments like chin liposuction, fat has to be manually scraped away through large incisions.

Typically, about 10-20 mL of fat is removed with this method, which is often more than enough to reduce a double chin or submental fullness. Sometimes, up to 30 mL can be removed, but that is well above the average amount as the chin region does not store all that much fat.

Patients will see an immediate change, but it can take about three to four weeks for the swelling to disappear and the final result to become visible.

The results of this procedure are permanent due to the removal of fat cells, but as we advise all of our patients, the most important aspect of aftercare is a healthy lifestyle and maintaining your ideal weight.

For patients dealing with a double chin due to loose or sagging skin, our dedicated skin tightening procedure called AirSculpt® + offers dramatic results without the need for an invasive neck lift. Using a specially designed wand that fits through the same two-millimeter-wide AirSculpt® entry points, our surgeons can tighten the skin under the neck so it fits tightly to one's profile. The device emits a unique plasma energy created by combining radiofrequency waves with a helium medium, allowing the skin to retract and tighten immediately. 

Recovery Time After Double Chin Removal

Downtime is minimal, and most can return to work within 24 to 48 hours. Many feel able to resume their normal activities within seven days. Your surgeon will talk to you often to help you adjust after surgery. Patients can resume normal activities after 10 to 14 days, including returning to exercise after two weeks.

For more information, call our Philadelphia office or any of our AirSculpt® locations to schedule your complimentary consultation.