Are you bothered by fullness under your chin that makes your face look heavier or less defined? Whether it has developed recently or has been a long-standing concern, achieving a more sculpted jawline often requires a targeted, long-term approach. If you’re considering treatment for stubborn submental fat, schedule a consultation with Dr. Ki Yup Kim at Liff Plastic Surgery. During your visit, Dr. Kim will carefully evaluate your facial structure and skin condition, determine whether you are a suitable candidate for treatment, and explain both surgical and non-surgical options. Based on your anatomy and goals, he will recommend a customized plan to reduce excess fat, refine the jawline, and improve overall neck contour.
A double chin—medically referred to as submental adiposity—can develop due to genetics, skin laxity, aging, or weight gain. Beyond being a cosmetic concern, it can affect facial balance and make you appear heavier or older than you feel. Understanding the underlying cause is essential to selecting the most effective treatment strategy.
For individuals who are overweight, lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise are an important first step. However, submental fat is often resistant to weight loss alone. In these cases, professional treatment can help restore a slimmer, more defined, and elegant profile with long-lasting results.
Read more: Double Chin Liposuction
What Is Submental Adiposity?
Submental adiposity or submental fat is a common problem that occurs when an excess layer of fat forms between the chin. A double chin is often associated with weight gain, but you don’t necessarily have to be overweight or obese to have it. Sometimes, genetics or loose skin resulting from aging can also lead to a double chin, which often becomes extremely difficult to get rid of.
It affects young and old, and men and women alike, and can happen for several reasons. Many people try to lose an impressive amount of weight by improving their lifestyle and eating habits but are still plagued by submental fat despite. The good news is you don’t have to live with a double chin and feel bad every time you look into the mirror as there are so many ways to get rid of a double chin.
Top Ways To Get Rid Of A Double Chin
Fat Dissolving Injection
Fat dissolving injections use clinically proven lipolytic solutions that break down fat cells in targeted areas. Once injected into the submental region, the solution disrupts the fat cell membrane, allowing the body to naturally metabolize and eliminate the destroyed fat cells over time. Because the treated fat cells are permanently removed, the area becomes slimmer and more defined with long-lasting results.
This treatment is a non-surgical, minimally invasive option ideal for patients whose double chin is primarily caused by excess fat and who have mild to moderate skin laxity. It can effectively improve chin contour, enhance jawline definition, and create a smoother neck profile with natural-looking results.
How Does It Work?
The procedure involves multiple small, precise injections beneath the chin. The session typically takes about 15–20 minutes. The number of injections depends on the amount of submental fat and your desired contour.
If additional sessions are recommended, treatments are usually spaced several weeks apart to allow the body to fully process and eliminate the treated fat cells. Many patients begin to notice visible improvement as swelling subsides and fat reduction progresses over the following weeks.
Before the procedure, a topical numbing cream is applied to maximize comfort. A customized marking guide may be used to ensure accurate placement and balanced contouring. Currently, treatment is primarily performed in the submental (under-chin) area for optimal safety and effectiveness.
CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting is another non-surgical option that helps to remove stubborn fat from under the chin safely and effectively. This method utilizes a process known as cryolipolysis, where a device freezes and destroys the fat cells, just below the surface of the skin, by subjecting them to freezing temperatures.
Although the term CoolSculpting is often referred to the process of cryolipolysis, it is actually the brand name of a specific medical device used to achieve cryolipolysis.
CoolSculpting is the only FDA-approved procedure that uses controlled cooling to safely target and eliminate fat that does not go away with diet and exercise. Its results are proven, noticeable, and lasting, ensuring you look great.
how does it work?
During the procedure, the specialist applies gel pads to the targeted areas and then passes over them with the device. He may also use an applicator cup with a vacuum to draw the tissue into the cup. In either case, the goal is to apply low temperatures to specific areas of the body to kill fat cells, thus changing their shape. You can expect to feel a sensation of intense cold, pulling, and slight discomfort in the treatment area.
The specialist will ensure that you are a candidate for CoolSculpting by checking if the device’s vacuum applicator fits on your neck. Treatment sessions take about 45 minutes when only the submental or the chin area is being targeted. If any other body areas are also being treated, sessions will take longer. It is important to note that dead fat cells do not disappear overnight.
Experts believe it may take up to six months for the body to fully process and eliminate the dead fat cells after the procedure. Some mild swelling, redness, and slight bruising are common side effects of this procedure, but they do not last long.
Submental Liposuction
For people, who are tired of their double chin, submental liposuction or neck liposuction may be a great solution. This minimally invasive surgical procedure can improve the appearance of the neck and chin by getting rid of excessive fat. It works best for people with a fatty double chin or otherwise heavy neck area and improves the contour of the neck for a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance.
How does it work?
Submental liposuction can be performed either with local anesthesia or injecting numbing medication. Some people may also require a relaxant to keep the pain down. Once the skin is numb, small incisions are made in a hidden skin crease underneath the chin. The skin is then separated from the fat through a small incision, and a suction device removes the excess fat.
The incision is closed with sutures that are removed approximately one week after the procedure. In certain cases, the specialist may remove fat from both the neck and jawline for enhanced, natural outcomes. Recovery time is fast, and you may see results within a few weeks.
Submental liposuction can also produce a skin-tightening effect as the skin heals, producing incredible results by giving you a sharper chin angle.
While Fat dissolving injection, CoolSculpting, and submental lipoplasty effectively remove the excess fat in the neck and submental region, achieving ideal results often becomes impossible without surgery, especially if you have fat that extends towards the neck. A lower face and neck lift is the best way to remove submental fat as well as excess neck skin that makes you look chubby.
Lower Face And Neck Lift
A lower face and neck lift tightens the lower face and neck to remove excess skin, making patients look much younger than before.
A lower facelift is a surgical procedure that corrects the jowls and the neck by repositioning skin and muscles. This surgery allows doctors to remove fat and loose, saggy skin around the chin and neck, eliminating a double chin. While it can be performed with a local anesthetic, most people are administered general anesthesia so that the surgeon can work easily. Facelift is also called a weekend lift due to its shorter recovery time.
The neck lift procedure aims to remove extra skin or tighten neck muscles to improve the contours of the neck and chin. Your accredited cosmetic surgeon adjusts the upper part of your platysma muscles that extend from the upper chest over the collarbone and sides of the neck. Doctors often combine a traditional face-lift with this procedure, which may cause a tight feeling in the neck for several months.
Lower face and neck lift surgery works best for people who seek a more permanent, one-time treatment to rid of their double chin along with any excess skin on the neck and lower face at the same time.
Consulting an experienced top-rated cosmetic surgeon is the first step toward getting rid of your double chin. He will determine the location and levels of fat and distinguish normal anatomical structures from fat to recommend treatment options based on the presence of excess fat in your submental region.
Visit our plastic surgery center in Seoul, to explore the best options to rejuvenate and refine your appearance and self-confidence. Cosmetic treatment is the only way to reduce double chin if you cannot achieve the results you are striving for despite losing weight and adopting a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Kim helps you understand how cosmetic procedures work and which treatment or combination of treatments will deliver the results you seek. He ensures you enjoy a more defined chin and neck area and overall better looks in the shortest possible time with revolutionary technology and the highest level of care.
Medically Reviewed on Feb 2, 2026
by Dr. Ki Yup Kim (Plastic Surgeon) of Liff Plastic Surgery