Having a double or a triple chin is a very common condition. Usually, it’s nothing to be worried about and is nothing more than a layer of fat that has formed under the chin.

When this layer of fat becomes substantial enough, it starts to form wrinkles that can create the emergence of one or more extra chins.

Although medically speaking, a double chin isn’t usually a sign of any health problem; several people consider them unflattering and can harm one’s self-image.

Double chins are often connected with weight gain, even though there are innumerable potential causes. Some people can still have a double chin even if they are already at a proper weight or in the process of losing weight.

For that reason, it’s essential to figure out what causes a ‘double chin’ first if one is willing to lose it

What causes a double chin?

A double chin seems straightforward, with just a little bit of extra fat around the jaw.

However, its causes can be surprisingly complex.

In this article, we have set down the most common reasons people tend to find themselves having a double or triple chin.


Excess Fat

Probably the most well-known cause for having a double chin is a general excess of fat. When one gains weight, the tendency is to see fat deposited all across the body, and that also includes the face and under the chin.

Ageing Skin

Another most common cause that often goes overlooked is the effect that age has on one’s skin.

This is just a natural process of ageing. Around the mid-20s, the amount of collagen our skin produces begins to decline. When this happens, the skin begins losing its elasticity and starts to sag. The more one ages, the less collagen one has, and the more pronounced the effect becomes.

Poor Posture

When we use either a smartphone or laptop, we tend to crane our necks over to see the screen. Adopting the posture is one of the worse things that we have done.

Aside from being a potential cause for neck pain, this posture is terrible for the platysma muscle - connecting the neck to the chin. When this muscle tends to become weak, it results in reduced elasticity around the jaws and also causes the sagging effect.

Facial Structure

The shape of one’s face is also a leading cause for having a double chin.

In particular, individuals with recessive chins and weak jawlines are more susceptible to find themselves developing a double chin.

This is simply as, for these individuals, the skin is being stretched over a smaller area. Also, as it is less tightly drawn over one’s face, it only takes a relatively smaller increase in fat or decreased skin elasticity to cause a double chin.

This is most likely the main reason why some people can be very slim but still develop a double chin.

Genetics

If you look at your family members and see that many of them tend to have plump chins, then the odds are that you will most probably be developing one as well.

While there probably isn’t any particular gene for having a double chin, a number of traits could make one more likely to get one.


Exercising that help in reducing double chin

While there is little scientific research on these exercises’ effect, they target the neck and face muscles. Working these muscles can help in burning fat in these areas and become a crucial part of double chin reduction.

Around the world (warm-up)

Like any exercise routine, it is essential to warm up the neck muscles to avoid any injury.
  • In order to warm up your neck, gently rotate your head forward and down and then back and up in a clockwise, circular motion.
  • On completing a few rotations, reverse the direction - anticlockwise.

The same circular motion is used for stretching the jaw.
  • Gently extend your jaw left, then forward, then right, and then back.
  • Hold each of the positions for a second or two. Now the muscles are warmed up and ready for exercise.

The pouting stretch

Another constructive way for targeting the muscles in the chin and neck is to do the pouting stretch.
  • Standing or sitting, stick out the bottom lip as far as you can to form a pouting face.
  • Hold this position for 3 seconds.
  • With your lips still in full pout, use your neck muscles to tilt the chin towards the chest.
  • Hold this position for 3 seconds.
  • Relax the muscles and begin again.
  • Repeat the exercise 10 to 20 times or until the neck feels the workout.

The Lion’s Yawn

It can be an excellent exercise to strengthen many muscles in the chin, neck, and face.
  • To perform this exercise, open your mouth wide while sticking out your tongue as far as possible, like a yawning lion.
  • When done correctly, the muscles of your neck, chin, and jaw should tighten.
  • Push out the tongue for 10 seconds and relax.
  • Repeat this exercise 10 times and move on to another exercise.

Whistle at the ceiling

This exercise is magnificent for strengthening the muscles and giving the neck a break during the desk’s time.
  • Sit with your spine straight and relaxed shoulders.
  • Tilt-back your head towards look at the ceiling.
  • From this position, close your lips into the position used when whistling.
  • Keep your lips relaxed but held tight enough to be able to feel a contraction on both sides of the neck.
  • Hold the position for around 10 to 20 seconds, depending on the comfort level.
  • 10 repetitions of this exercise are usually enough for one sitting.

Different ways to reduce double chin & neck fat

Apart from exercises, many individuals turn towards additional treatments as well.
  • Facemasks
  • Diet
  • Surgery

Cryolipolysis vs Liposuction

Cryolipolysis and liposuction are medical procedures that are used to reduce fat. However, some key differences exist between the two.

Cool-CryoSculpting Procedure

Cryolipolysis is a non-invasive medical procedure which is also known as Cryolipolysis. It helps in removing extra fat cells from underneath your skin without surgery.

During a Cryolipolysis session, the plastic surgeon or other trained physician, will be using a unique tool which clamps down and cools a fat roll to freezing temperature.

In the weeks post-treatment, your body will naturally eliminate the frozen and dead fat cells through your liver. You will be noticing the results within a few weeks of your treatment and the final results after a few months.

Cryolipolysis is a non-surgical procedure. There is no cutting, stitching, anaesthetizing, or recovery time involved.

Liposuction Procedure

Whereas liposuction is an invasive surgery involving cutting, stitching, and anaesthetizing. The plastic surgeon can use local anaesthesia, or one can also be sedated with general anaesthesia.

Aplastic surgeon starts the procedure by making a small incision and then uses a long, narrow suction tool known as a cannula to vacuum fat out from a specific area of your body.

What kind of foods should one avoid to get rid of a double chin?

If your double chin results from weight gain, losing weight will help you get back your good looks.

Eat fresh vegetables, fruits, lean proteins like fish and chicken, avoid processed foods and dairy products, and reduce sugar intake to start losing those excess kilograms.