5 Common Causes of Double Chin

A double chin may have looked adorable when we were but 15 to 20 years later, a prominent double chin isn’t an asset we would covet. A tight jawline often denotes beauty and youth, and excess fat on your chin can get in the way. It can affect your self-esteem and body image since a double chin is often related to weight gain. First off, know that a double chin is very common, and plenty of healthy-weight individuals can also sport one. There could be a myriad of reasons behind a double chin, such as genetics and ageing.

While there’s completely nothing wrong with a little extra fat on your chin, we understand how troubling it can be. And so, we compiled some of the most common causes of a double chin to help you prevent it. This list will also come in handy if you’re looking for non-surgical double chin removal from Singapore clinics!

Keep reading to know more about this, and don’t forget to take notes!

Excess weight

Double chins are pretty straightforward; they show up when your body stores excess fat in your jawline. When you gain weight, your body deposits more fat into various areas, including your face and neck. This is what leads to all that flab under your chin, which you’ll notice when you smile or talk. 

Your body type also plays a role in how weight gain manifests on your face. For example, if you have a larger frame, you might not immediately notice a few extra pounds on your tummy. But with a quick selfie or Zoom call, you might be greeted with an unwelcome surprise – a double chin. And while there’s nothing wrong with gaining weight, it can be different for those who struggle with their body image. After all, you can hide some things with baggy clothing, but not so much with a double chin.

If this is your dilemma, an easy double chin reduction treatment is to improve your diet and lifestyle. Commit to doing at least one hour of physical activity daily – you can walk, run, jog, or bike! Additionally, switching to healthier food options (that are rich in fibre and protein) can help your body burn fat faster. Over time, you can notice your jawline getting tighter and your double chin slowly improving!

Ageing

Weight gain and excess fat may be the top causes of double chin, but it’s not the only one. In fact, ageing is also a prominent mitigator. 

Your skin and muscles rely on collagen, an essential protein, to provide its structure. However, your body eventually produces less collagen as you age, which causes the skin to sag. Add in the inevitable pull of gravity, and you’ll end up with a double chin caused by sagging skin. Moreover, your bone structure tends to change over time. Your jawline expands, and you lose muscle definition, causing it to look bigger than usual. This may cause your double chin to look more prominent. 

Another thing that happens as you age is that your metabolism also slows down. This can lead to unwanted weight gain, which, as mentioned earlier, is another cause of a double chin.

Poor posture

We’re taking chances and bet you’re reading this right now on your phone with your back slouched. So, this is a sign to straighten your back because it’s actually part of the problem! You often use your phones or laptops while craning your neck to get a better view of your screen. Unbeknownst to your poor little neck and spine, this posture can also lead to the appearance of your double chin.

Poor posture weakens the muscles around your neck and chin, especially your platysma muscle. The platysma muscle is a thin superficial muscle that connects your neck and chin. Too much craning and slouching overstretch this muscle, which causes it to weaken and lose its flexibility. It creates a sagging effect on your jaw, neck, and jowls, eventually leading to a double chin. 

Exercising the muscles around your neck and chin can help reduce double chin without surgery. Tilt your head back and face upwards, then pucker your lips as if kissing the ceiling. Make sure to stretch your chin and hold this position for 10 to 15 seconds daily. It may feel awkward at first, but it can help tighten your chin and jaws and lose your double chin!

Lack of exercise

Speaking of exercise, not having enough physical activity can also lead to the appearance of a flab under your chin. Exercise helps burn fat, which is the ultimate component of a double chin. However, it’s completely up to your body how and where it will store fat. Unfortunately, it often tends to put some on your neck and chin. As such, it’s crucial to have at least one hour of exercise every day to help your body burn fat. Exercising regularly also helps strengthen your muscles and maintain a proportional muscle-to-fat ratio. 

Start by including cardio training in your routine since it’s an efficient way to burn calories. It also helps to undertake compound activities, such as push-ups and squats. Doing so engages multiple muscle groups at the same time, exercising more muscle and burning more calories. Soon enough, the results will be like you got a non-surgical double chin procedure here in Singapore!

Double Chin Removal with SW1 Clinic

The good news? There are several non-surgical double chin removal treatments, that your doctor can use to get rid of that unwanted bulge. 

• Fillers – One of the most popular ways to enhance your facial features, Fillers are used across the world to add dimension and a more chiselled look to your face. They can also be used around the chin area and help you achieve the contour of a pointed chin. 
• Sygma Lift – Doctors love Sygma Lift for its painless and precise treatment ability. Sygma Lift uses HIFU to treat any areas of concern but does this with extra precision and also, as a bonus, stimulates natural collagen production. 

• Neck Thread Lift – Neck Thread Lifts use uses absorbable threads that lift and stimulate collagen, instantly and continue to do so for months after. You will find that neck thread lifts are amongst the more long-lasting non-surgical procedures to choose from. Cherry on the top? You can also boast a healthy, youthful glow after the treatment thanks to all that natural collagen! 

• Ultherapy – FDA-approved Ultherapy  is often used to help with saggy skin and reducing the appearance of a double chin. The medical ultrasound procedure triggers the natural production of collagen, deep below the surface of the skin, and kicks off a firming and tightening cycle, all across, and including on the chin. 

 

About the Author – Dr Michelle Lim

Dr Michelle Lim obtained her medical degree at the University of Queensland in Australia in 2009. After this, she completed her Ophthalmology apprenticeship at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne where she also undertook her postgraduate clinical research fellowship in retinal vascular disease.

Dr Lim trained intensively as an eye surgeon at the Singapore National Eye Centre and has a special interest in microsurgery and general ophthalmic procedures including cataract, refractive, glaucoma, cornea, retina, neuro-ophthalmology and oculoplastic.

With this specialised background in Ophthalmology, Dr Lim brings attention to detail and key surgical finesse to aesthetic procedures: from rejuvenating lasers to anti-wrinkle injections to periorbital fillers. Her sense of aesthetics also extends to other parts of the face and body as she has a keen eye for detail and an appreciation for the artistry of facial aesthetics.