A double chin, or submental fullness, is caused by excess fat, loose skin, or muscle weakness under the chin, often from weight gain, aging (loss of collagen/elastin), genetics, or poor posture (like looking down at phones), but can sometimes signal underlying issues like thyroid problems or kidney disorders.
Age. As you get older, your skin's collagen and elastin get thinner and weaker. These proteins in your skin are responsible for keeping your skin full, firm, and elastic. Your body produces less of these proteins over time, causing your skin to sag, including the skin under your jaw.
Double chins often are permanent in that once they show up, it rarely goes away on its own even with vigorous diet and exercise.
This includes a person's genetics, because having a family history of poor skin elasticity or extra fat storage under the chin can often be inherited. In addition, the aging process makes it more likely that a double chin will form. Skin can start to sag, and fat can buildup or shift to create a fuller under-chin area.
Too much salt in your body can cause it to retain water and lead to bloating and a double chin. When you snack on foods like potato chips, pretzels, or other salty snacks, you're likely to get thirsty and drink more fluids. These fluids tend to remain in the body and cause the aforementioned double chin.
In fact, you can be perfectly fit and still have a double chin. Age and genetics play a significant role in the development of submental fat. Some people are born with an extra pocket of this chin fat, and it remains a part of their facial features for life unless they choose to treat it.
While chewing exercises the masseter muscles in your cheeks, these are not the muscles that contribute to the appearance of a double chin. Moreover, the resistance offered by chewing gum is too insignificant to cause fat loss or muscle toning in the chin and neck area.
Women tend to lose weight in their legs first, while men are more likely to lose weight in their torsos first.
Facial Exercises and Jaw Strengthening
Chin Lifts: Sit or stand with an upright posture, facing forward. Slowly lift your chin while maintaining a straight back and relaxed shoulders. Hold the position for a few seconds before releasing. Repeat this exercise several times a day.
4. Does Sleeping Position Affect a Double Chin? Yes, sleeping on your back with your head elevated can help, while sleeping face-down may contribute to sagging over time.
4. Avoid processed foods and sugary drinks, as they can contribute to weight gain in the neck area. Avoiding processed foods and sugary drinks can be beneficial for weight management and can help prevent weight gain in the neck area.
Radiofrequency treatments are a popular non-invasive option for tightening skin under the chin by using controlled energy to heat the deeper layers of the skin. This gentle heat stimulates the body's natural healing process, encouraging collagen production and tightening the skin over time.
Drinking water won't miraculously melt away a double chin, but it can help reduce puffiness and keep your skin looking fresh. Staying hydrated ensures your body is flushing out toxins and staying in peak shape. Plus, healthy, hydrated skin is more elastic and less prone to sagging.
More care about your sleep
Getting more sleep is an important overall weight loss strategy. It can also help you lose face fat. Lack of sleep can cause an increase in cortisol levels, a stress hormone that comes with a long list of potential negative effects, including weight gain.
Examples of Double Chin Exercises
What are the first signs you're losing weight?
The most common stubborn fat areas include the belly, thighs, hips, lower back, upper arms, and neck. These regions tend to store fat more easily and resist weight loss, making them challenging for many people. Fat in these areas is often influenced by factors like hormones, genetics, and lifestyle choices.
Some studies suggest that sleep plays a role in weight loss, and specifically fat loss, during calorie restriction. In a study of people undergoing 14 days of calorie restriction, the participants lost less fat when they spent 5.5 h a day in bed than when they spent 8.5 h a day in bed [40].
It turns out genetics might be casting a shadow on your profile. Regarding chin chubbiness, family history can be quite an influential factor. Even without excess body weight, the genetic predisposition can play a part in fat distribution beneath your chin, leading to this unique phenomenon.
Some effective exercises for targeting the muscles in your face and neck include:
The simple answer is: it depends. If your double chin is primarily caused by weight gain, losing weight through healthy eating and regular exercise may help reduce it. However, many people find that submental fat is stubborn — especially when genetics, aging, or skin laxity play a role.
Hypothyroidism, in which the thyroid gland makes too little thyroid hormone, is one of the common medical causes of puffiness under the chin. Hypothyroidism can contribute to weight gain all over your body, as well as in the neck region.
When you tilt your head down to text or scroll through social media, you're making it easier for gravity to pull your skin down. Over time, in addition to the natural aging process this can lead to sagging skin, a double chin, and even jowls.
To tighten loose skin under the chin naturally: