Ulthera and ONDA for the jawline and double chin: what should you check first?
If both the jawline and double chin concern you, first determine whether deep sagging, submental fat, or skin laxity is the main cause, then choose Ulthera, ONDA, or both accordingly.
There is more than one reason a jawline can look less defined. When the layers supporting the face from within sag, the cheeks and jawline descend; when fat accumulates under the chin, the boundary between the chin and neck blurs. When the skin thins and loosens, the contours can appear soft.
How to Check by Cause
| Cause | What you see in the mirror | Device to consider first |
|---|---|---|
| Deep sagging | Cheeks, mouth corners, and jawline all descend together | Ulthera |
| Fat under the chin | Fullness under the chin remains even when you lift your head | ONDA (7mm targeting the subcutaneous fat layer) |
| Skin laxity | Skin feels thin and stretches loosely when gently pinched | ONDA (3mm targeting the dermis) |
Many faces show a mix of all three, so during the examination we assess the relative contribution of each.
See why the cause of a double chin, fat or sagging, should be identified first
What Each Device Does for the Jawline
- Ulthera: High-intensity focused ultrasound is concentrated at set depths to create thermal points in deep layers, including the SMAS layer. It is mainly considered for sagging in which the cheeks and jawline have descended together.
- ONDA: Microwave energy delivers heat to the dermis and subcutaneous fat layer. The manufacturer, DEKA, lists the area under the chin as an application area for the handpiece.
Plans by Concern
1. Faces where deep sagging is the main cause
- Recommended device: Ulthera
- Recommended interval: typically 6 months to 1 year
- Notes: If there is not much submental fat, the plan may use Ulthera alone without adding ONDA.
2. Faces where submental fat is the main cause
- Recommended device: ONDA
- Recommended option: double chin and jawline, 20kJ
- Characteristics: When addressing both the fat layer and skin firmness, we use the 3mm and 7mm handpieces separately.
3. Faces with both sagging and a double chin
- Recommended devices: Ulthera and ONDA
- Characteristics: We divide the areas to be treated by Ulthera and by ONDA. Whether to have both on the same day, and in what order, is decided based on your skin's response and your schedule.
4. Faces with hollow cheeks and thin skin
- Characteristics: Delivering energy that targets the fat layer to a face with a thin fat layer may make volume appear reduced. We first consider whether ONDA needs to be added at all, then narrow the treatment to only the areas that need it.
How the plan is decided
- Assess the direction and depth of sagging.
- Assess the amount of fat under the chin and along the jawline.
- Assess skin thickness and elasticity, and any hollow areas of the cheeks.
- We decide whether to use one treatment or two, and how to divide the areas.
- We agree on whether to have both on the same day or space them apart, and which treatment comes first.
Ulthera takes about 1 hour in total including numbing cream, while ONDA can be performed without anesthesia.
Post-treatment reactions and precautions
After Ulthera, throbbing, slight swelling, bruising, and redness may occur for a few days, and in rare cases white lines may appear. After ONDA, redness, a sensation of warmth, mild swelling, and temporary dryness may occur. If you receive both treatments, we plan the schedule with these reactions in mind.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please let us know before treatment.
- Please also let us know in advance if you have an implanted electronic medical device such as a pacemaker, metal implants, or any wounds or inflammation in the treatment area.
- If you have recently had filler or another lifting treatment around the jaw, a separate interval is required.
- If swelling and pain worsen day by day, or if blisters or numbness persist, please contact us immediately.
FAQ
Q. Can a double chin also be addressed with the two treatments?
A. If fat under the chin is the main cause of the double chin, that area can be included in the plan with ONDA. Ulthera addresses sagging, while ONDA addresses the fat layer and skin firmness.
Q. Can I go straight to work after the treatment?
A. You can return to your daily routine right after both treatments. However, Ulthera may leave throbbing or slight swelling for a few days, and ONDA may leave temporary redness and warmth, so please let us know in advance if you have an important event.
Booking and consultation
Face Filter Clinic Suwon offers Ulthera and ONDA separately or in combination. During your personalized consultation, we examine the area under your chin and your jawline in person, assess the relative contribution of sagging and fat, and then determine the treatment range.
View Ulthera treatment information
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.