Turkey neck. Turkey waddle. No, those aren’t dishes at your family’s Thanksgiving table. They’re some of the not-so-glamorous nicknames for a double chin. Despite your best efforts to eat healthy and blast calories in the gym, sometimes it can be difficult to completely eradicate unwanted upper chin and neck fat.
Here’s why:
There are two layers of tissue underneath your skin, a layer of fat and the layer of muscle tissue directly beneath it. These layers of tissue push up against your skin and are what keeps it firm.
When your body gains weight, your skin’s surface area must expand to accommodate the fat tissue beneath it.
Losing weight means that the size of your fat cells will decrease, but the surface area will remain the same. This new void in fat tissue creates a layer of skin that might hang or appear saggy. The amount of sagging skin, if any, will vary greatly depending on your age, gender, genetics, muscle mass, and total amount of weight lost.
Though submental fat is the most common culprit in the formation of a double chin, not everyone who has one is or has been overweight. As you age and begin to lose collagen and elastin, your neck muscles can begin to sag and pull the surrounding skin down with it.
Now that you understand how double chins form, you probably want to know what can be done to reduce or eliminate it all together. Whether your double chin is the result of weight gain, weight loss, or luck of the genetics draw, we have treatment options available!
Kybella is an FDA-approved medication which is used to dissolve fat in the submental/double chin area and improve the overall contour of the neck and jawline. It’s the first injection of its kind that’s used to dissolve unwanted fat of more commonly known as a double chin in the neck region. Composed of deoxycholic acid, Kybella is a naturally occurring chemical in the body that breaks down fat. Once the fats cells are destroyed, they are gone forever.
Traditional methods to treat excess fat under the chin and neck area require a neck lift and/or liposuction. For patients who aren’t surgical candidates, Kybella is a viable option for stubborn fatty deposits under the chin.
The Dermatology Center of Indiana services Frankfort, Kokomo, Lafayette, West Lafayette and Lebanon along with many other cities throughout Indiana. Join us today in one of our locations where you are always welcome!
Disclaim: This blog provides general information and discussion about medical, cosmetic, mohs, and surgical dermatology. The words and other content provided in this blog, and in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, he or she should consult with an appropriately-licensed dermatologist or other health care worker.