While this condition may not be as apparent at a young age, the natural aging process can make a genetic double chin especially pronounced, usually starting in the 40s and occasionally earlier.
There are various medical conditions that may contribute to a double chin. Some of these include an underactive thyroid, Cushing's disease, kidney disorders, salivary gland inflammation and a sinus infection.
Probably the most common cause of a double chin is simply a general excess of fat. When you gain weight, the tendency is to see fat deposited all across the body, and unfortunately, that includes in the face and under the chin.
The issue often has as much to do with youth as it does with diet and exercise or genetics — which means that some double chins correct themselves: “As we mature, the fat pads under our chin tend to get smaller,” says Whitney Bowe, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
Formally referred to as “submental fullness,” it can happen to anyone no matter their age or weight. It's very common for people to store fat in the chin area, even if they are underweight. Double chins can be caused by genetics, weight gain and the loss of skin elasticity caused by aging.
In addition, the aging process makes it more likely that a double chin will form. Skin can start to sag, and fat can buildup or shift to create a fuller under-chin area. As explained above, a double chin can be caused by either lax skin or excess fat cells, each requiring a different method of treatment.
If you have a double chin despite being skinny, your body just happens to genetically store extra fat around the jawline. There's really nothing unusual about it, but it does present a challenge in that your chin fat is much harder to target through diet and exercise alone.
According to Popular Science, some people are just generally predisposed to submental fat (the medical term for a double chin). Despite its prevalence and benign nature, a double chin is considered unattractive in our culture.
When you lose weight, the fat cells in your chin can only shrink and become smaller. The actual number of fat cells in your chin will remain the same, no matter how much weight you gain or lose.
This is a minor workout for the face muscles, especially the jaw. If you chew gum regularly, you may notice an overall fat loss in the chin area.
Mask your double chin by tilting your head.
Tilting your head helps to prevent the picture capturing your chin at a lower angle, which may make your double chin more obvious. Try not to lower your chin. If you lower your chin too much in a photo, you can risk making your double chin look more obvious.
A diet high in calories, processed foods, and unhealthful fats may influence weight gain and a double chin as well. Genes may play a role in people developing a double chin. Anyone with a family history of skin with little elasticity or double chins might be more likely to develop one themselves.
Plastic surgeons use a variety of procedures to remove a double chin. These procedures include: Liposuction: This procedure removes fat from beneath the skin and sculpts the chin and neck contour. “We make a small incision under the skin, insert a tube and suck out the fat,” says Ishii.
People with a double chin, or submental fat, have an excess layer of fatty tissue under their lower jaw. This common condition affects young and old, men and women. And it happens for a variety of reasons. You don't have to be overweight to get a double chin.
One of the best ways to eliminate a double chin is to drink plenty of water. It is beneficial to flush out toxins from the body and can help reduce bloating. In addition, drinking plenty of water can help keep your skin hydrated, which can make your chin appear less saggy.
But what is considered an unattractive facial feature? Facial hair, double chins, uneven facial skin tone, and so on are all considered rather unattractive facial features that both men and women suffer from. However, not everything is lost, though.
An attractive chin can be defined as a chin that is visually pleasing and well-proportioned in relation to the rest of the face. A desirable chin may have certain characteristics such as symmetry, a defined jawline, and a balanced relationship with the nose and forehead.
Research has shown that chiseled jaws and strong chins appear more masculine and are considered universally attractive.
The stubborn submental fat
The extra fullness under your chin may be due to your genetics, part of your aging process, or simply serve as a constant reminder of the extra weight you used to carry. No matter the cause, this area of fat can be difficult to lose, no matter how carefully you eat or how much you work out.
It can take up to six months to see results. CoolSculpting may work best in those who are already a healthy weight but have stubborn neck fat.
Usually, the size of the fat pads diminishes with age. Some people might develop a leaner, more shapely face by their teens, but others might still have prominent, chipmunk cheeks into their 30s, 40s or even older.
Genetics, as well as saggy skin resulting from the aging process, can also lead to a double chin. The common signs of this condition include: A thick layer of fat underneath your chin. Appears like a second chin when you speak or laugh.
Some boys only grow until about 16 years of age; others grow until they are in their early 20s. Girls usually stop growing about two years after their first menstrual period begins. Once you stop growing, your chin will stop growing, too.