Double chin treatment in Suwon: why you should first determine whether fat or sagging is the cause
If the area under your chin folds when you lower your head even though you have not gained much weight, it is worth first checking the cause of your double chin before choosing a treatment. A double chin can form when the subcutaneous fat under the chin thickens, or when the skin and the tissue beneath it sag and blur the boundary between the jaw and the neck.
If fat is the cause, we first consider injections or devices that reduce fat, and if sagging is the cause, we first consider lifting that tightens the tissue. Tightening only the skin when there is a lot of fat, or reducing only the fat when sagging is significant, may leave a gap between the result and the jawline you expected. At our Suwon clinic, during consultation we first look at the thickness of the fat under the chin, skin elasticity, and sagging above the jawline, and then decide whether to start with injections or a device.
In this article, we go through what causes a double chin, how to tell the fat type from the sagging type, how injections and InMode work and the treatment process, recovery care, and side effects.
Key points about double chins
- A double chin is caused by fat under the chin, sagging of the skin and tissue, or bone structure or salivary glands, either alone or in combination.
- If you can grab a thick fold of flesh when you pinch, fat plays a large role; if the flesh is thin but the skin folds above the jawline, sagging plays a large role.
- Deoxycholic acid injections dissolve fat cell membranes, and InMode FX acts on the fat layer with radiofrequency and high-voltage pulses.
- InMode is continued for at least 3 to 5 sessions at 2- to 3-week intervals, and deoxycholic acid injections for 2 to 3 or more sessions at 4-week intervals, as a guideline.
Why does a double chin form?
Under the chin, there is a fat layer just beneath the skin, and below that a thin, broad muscle that covers the neck. When you gain weight this fat layer thickens, and depending on your constitution, fat may build up under the chin before other parts of the body.
As we age, collagen and elastic fibers in the skin decrease, and the tissue of the cheeks and jawline moves downward. Even if the amount of fat stays the same, the boundary between the jaw and the neck becomes blurred, so the area under the chin can look folded even in people with a slim build.
In some cases, the chin is set back in the bone structure, or the submandibular salivary glands are enlarged and feel firm. Because these structures occur regardless of fat or elasticity, the extent of change from fat-reducing treatments or lifting is small.
How do you tell the fat type of double chin from the sagging type?
By pinching with your hand in front of a mirror and looking at your profile, you can get a sense of which plays the larger role. It is also common for a face to have both, so the final judgment is made through an examination.
| Category | Fat type | Sagging type | Bone structure or salivary glands |
|---|---|---|---|
| When pinched | A thick, soft fold of flesh can be grabbed | Only a thin layer of flesh can be grabbed | A firm lump may be felt |
| Appearance | The area under the chin looks round and full | The skin folds above the jawline and the sides of the mouth droop | The chin is set back in profile |
| Relationship with weight | Becomes thicker as weight increases | Becomes slightly more pronounced each year regardless of weight | Almost unrelated to weight |
| Main approach | Fat-reducing injections and devices | Lifting that tightens the tissue | Consultation after identifying the cause |
Jaw exercises and massage only work the muscles and do not directly change the number of fat cells under the chin or stretched skin. Losing weight also reduces fat under the chin, but you cannot choose where it comes off, and skin that has already stretched remains as it is.
How are double chin injections and InMode performed?
How injections and InMode work on the fat layer
Deoxycholic acid (DCA) injections use an ingredient identical to the bile acids in the body to dissolve fat cell membranes and reduce the number of cells, and the drug is approved by Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety as an injection for improving submental fat. Face Fit (GPC) injections mix several medications aimed at fat reduction in a formulation determined by the clinic, helping break down fat over 2 to 3 weeks.
InMode FX is a device that heats the subcutaneous fat layer with radiofrequency and adds momentary high-voltage pulses to induce fat cells to shrink, while the FORMA mode of the same device is used to heat the dermis and support collagen production. ONDA uses 2.45GHz microwaves, targeting the subcutaneous fat layer with a 7mm handpiece and the dermal layer with a 3mm handpiece. If only fat is reduced when the skin has stretched considerably, the remaining skin may look more saggy, so in that case we also plan lifting.
Treatment steps at our Suwon clinic
- Personalized Consultation
- Self-Cleansing
- Treatment
- Finishing Care
The steps above are for InMode; the treatment takes about 30 minutes or less, and you can return to daily life right after. InMode FX is planned by dividing the area into double chin, jawline, or full face, and continued for at least 3 to 5 sessions at 2- to 3-week intervals as a guideline. If sagging is also present, we discuss a double chin thread lift as well.
View InMode Treatment Information
Deoxycholic acid injections proceed in the order of personalized consultation, design, disinfection, and treatment, taking about 10 to 20 minutes or less. Changes are checked starting one month after treatment, with 2 to 3 or more sessions at 4-week intervals as a guideline. Face Fit injections take about 10 minutes or less, with 3 or more sessions at 1- to 2-week intervals as a guideline.
View deoxycholic acid (DCA) treatment information
Recovery and care after double chin treatment
- After injection treatments you can wash your face and wear makeup right away, and for 3 to 7 days you should avoid heavy drinking, smoking, saunas and jjimjilbang (Korean bathhouses), hot baths, and strenuous exercise to prevent inflammation.
- If you received Face Fit injections, gently massage the treated area for about 3 minutes, 3 times a day, for at least 3 days so the ingredients spread evenly.
- After InMode you can wash your face and wear makeup right away, but wash with lukewarm water for 3 days and avoid heavy drinking, saunas and jjimjilbang (Korean bathhouses), hot baths, and strenuous exercise for about 7 days.
- The skin may become dry after device treatments, so apply moisturizer often and wear sunscreen when you go out.
For both injections and devices, combining diet management and exercise and drinking plenty of water can help with your care. If you gain weight during the treatment period, the remaining fat cells may grow larger again, so we also keep an eye on weight changes between sessions.
Side effects and precautions for double chin injections and InMode
After injections, bruising, swelling, pain, and a foreign-body sensation may occur, and most subside within 1 to 2 weeks. Deoxycholic acid destroys fat cells, so swelling can last more than a week; if you have a photo shoot or event coming up, it is best to schedule the date with some time to spare. After InMode, a feeling of heat, tingling, redness, dryness, and red or purple bruising may occur, fading over several days.
In rare cases, an allergic reaction to the injected ingredients may cause heat and swelling accompanied by itching. The degree of reaction and change varies from person to person depending on the amount of fat and skin condition. Please let us know before treatment if you are pregnant, are taking blood-thinning medication, have inflammation in the treatment area, or have other medications you are taking or chronic conditions.
If swelling grows larger day by day, if itching and a feeling of heat continue for several days, or if symptoms keep getting worse, do not wait; please contact the clinic.
What do we check before double chin treatment?
In these cases, start by having the cause of your double chin checked
- When I pinch under my chin I can grab a thick fold of flesh, and it does not go away easily even when I lose weight.
- I am on the slim side, but the area under my chin folds when I lower my head.
- The skin has come down over my jawline, and the boundary between my face and neck has become blurred.
- I can feel a firm lump under my chin rather than something soft.
If two or more of these apply, it is best to first check whether fat or sagging plays the larger role before deciding on injections or a device. Whether to proceed, the method, and the scope of treatment are decided together during consultation after an examination by our medical staff.
In short, the key with a double chin is to determine whether fat or sagging is the larger factor, choose a matching method, and manage weight changes between sessions as well.
FAQ
Q. Can double chin injections alone change my jawline?
A. If fat is the main cause and skin elasticity is maintained, we first consider reducing the amount of fat with injections. If sagging is also present, we plan lifting as well, considering the skin that will remain after the fat is reduced, and the degree of change varies from person to person.
Q. What is the difference between deoxycholic acid injections and contouring injections?
A. Deoxycholic acid injections work by dissolving fat cell membranes to reduce the number of cells, while contouring injections mix several ingredients to help break down fat. Deoxycholic acid can cause swelling that lasts more than a week, so we choose by looking at your schedule and the amount of fat together.
Q. Can exercises to lose chin fat reduce a double chin?
A. Jaw exercises and massage cannot directly change the number of fat cells under the chin or sagging skin. Weight loss also reduces fat under the chin, but you cannot target only the area you want, and skin that has already stretched remains as it is.
Q. I'm on the slim side but have a double chin. What treatments should I consider?
A. If the fat you can grab is thin, we first check whether sagging, bone structure, or the salivary glands are the cause. If sagging is the cause we consider lifting, and if a set-back chin is the cause we look together during consultation at ways to add volume to the chin.
Q. Can I go to work the day after InMode?
A. With both InMode and double chin injections, you can return to daily life right after treatment. However, redness, bruising, and swelling may be visible for a few days, so if you have a photo shoot or important event, it is best to schedule the date with some time to spare.
Q. How can I find out the cost of double chin treatment?
A. The cost depends on whether you receive injections or a device, as well as the treatment area and number of sessions. We provide the details after confirming during consultation whether only the double chin and jawline or the entire face will be treated, and you can also check the items on the treatment information page.
This content is provided as general treatment information and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a medical professional to decide whether and how to proceed with a treatment.