Is your Diet responsible for your Double Chin?
A double chin can be a result of a variety of factors including genetics, age, and lifestyle. One particularly important factor is diet. Eating unhealthy foods high in calories and fats can cause weight gain, which can lead to the appearance of a double chin.
In this article we delve into how and why our diet could be responsible for the double chin we never asked for.
#1 High-calorie diet
A high calorie diet is a dietary plan that consists of consuming a higher-than-average number of calories each day (a moderately active 19- to 30-year-old woman needs 2,000 to 2,200 calories a day, whereas a man in the same category needs 2,600 to 2,800 calories a day). Typically, high calorie diets are designed to help people gain weight or increase muscle mass and typically includes foods that are high in fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and other nutrients.
A high calorie diet can increase the amount of fat stored in the body, including around the neck and chin area. Over time, this can lead to a double chin, where fat accumulates in this area and creates a second chin. Also, when the body gains weight, the elasticity of the skin can be reduced, which can make the double chin even more pronounced.
#2 Excessive sugar and refined carbohydrates
Excessive consumption of sugar and refined carbohydrates can lead to weight gain, which can contribute to the development of a double chin. This is because when the body accumulates more fat than normal, it may start to deposit it in areas around the face and neck, which can lead to the formation of a double chin. Additionally, sugar and refined carbohydrates can increase the levels of insulin in the body, which can cause the body to store more fat, which can also lead to the development of a double chin.
#3 High-sodium diet
A high sodium diet can cause water retention in the body, which can lead to the accumulation of fat in the neck and chin area, creating a double chin. High sodium diets can also increase blood pressure, which can lead to facial bloating and puffiness, further contributing to a double chin. Lastly, high sodium diets can contribute to facial sagging, which can also create the appearance of a double chin.
#4 Lack of nutrient-dense foods
A lack of nutrient-dense foods can lead to an increase in intake of unhealthy, calorie-dense foods and drinks, which can lead to weight gain. When this happens, the excess fat can accumulate in the chin area, resulting in a double chin. This is because the chin area has fewer fatty tissue compartments than other areas of the body, so it is more prone to storing fat. Additionally, when the body does not get enough nutrients it can cause a decrease in muscle tone, which can also contribute to the appearance of a double chin.
Here are some examples of nutrient-dense food to reach for the next time you’re deciding what to eat:
- Dark leafy greens (e.g. kale, spinach, chard)
- Cruciferous vegetables (e.g. broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts)
- Seafood (e.g. salmon, tuna, mackerel)
- Nuts and seeds (e.g. almonds, walnuts, chia seeds)
- Legumes (e.g. beans, lentils, chickpeas)
- Eggs
- Avocados
- Berries (e.g. blueberries, raspberries, strawberries)
- Whole grains (e.g. oats, quinoa, brown rice)
- Low-fat dairy (e.g. yogurt, milk, cheese)
#5 Dehydration
Did you know not drinking enough water can increase the appearance of a double chin too? Dehydration can cause double chin because the lack of water causes the skin to become dry and lose elasticity, which can cause the chin area to sag and form a double chin. Dehydration can also cause the body to store more fat in the chin area, which can further contribute to the appearance of a double chin.
#6 Overconsumption of alcohol
Alcohol is high in calories and can lead to weight gain, which can result in an accumulation of fat around the neck area. Alcohol can also reduce the production of collagen which is needed to keep the skin and muscles around the neck area firm and toned. This can lead to the appearance of a double chin. Additionally, alcohol can cause dehydration (see above), which can cause the skin to become loose and saggy. Together, these factors can contribute to the appearance of a double chin.
#7 Sedentary lifestyle
There are a few reasons why a sedentary lifestyle can lead to double chin. Firstly, increased inactivity can cause the body to store excess fat, which can accumulate in the chin area. Additionally, a sedentary lifestyle can weaken the muscles in the chin and neck, so even if the person is at a healthy weight, the lack of muscle tone can still lead to a double chin. Lastly, a lack of physical activity may contribute to a decrease in circulation, which can prevent the burning of fat and cause it to accumulate in the lower chin and neck areas.
Double chin reduction treatment
If you are concerned about the appearance of your double chin, there are non-invasive chin reduction procedures available to help you reduce and improve the size and shape of a person’s chin.
Non-invasive chin reduction can be done in a variety of ways, including injectables, radio frequency treatments and threadlifts. The procedures are relatively quick and can be done in the comfort of a doctor’s office without the need for anesthesia or recovery time.
Injectables, such as hyaluronic acid fillers, can reduce the appearance of the fat tissue that creates the double chin. By injecting the fillers into the chin area, it can help to create a smoother, more contoured look, reducing the appearance of the double chin.
Radiofrequency treatment, such as Thermage FLX can also help reduce the appearance of a double chin by tightening the skin in the area. The treatment heats the layers of skin, which then help to stimulate the production of collagen, which can help to reduce the appearance of a double chin. Radiofrequency treatments are generally considered to be safe and effective, although individual results may vary.
Threadlift on the neck is a minimally invasive procedure that can improve facial contours by reducing the appearance of a double chin. During the procedure, small sutures are placed beneath the skin along the jawline. These sutures are then used to gently lift the skin, which can help create a more defined jawline and reduce the appearance of a double chin. This procedure is quick, virtually painless, and requires minimal downtime.