We live in an age of selfies and video chats. Every day, apps such as Instagram, SnapChat and FaceBook help people connect to far-flung friends, family and co-workers. However, frequent users of these and other apps may also be more likely to become self-conscious about the appearance of a double chin. *
How many pictures does an individual take before they chose the “right” one to post? During a video chat, many people instinctively tilt their chin downward to look into the camera, which can be a very unflattering angle because it highlights fat deposits under their chin and makes their neck look flabby, even if it isn’t. If this is your concern, what can you do?
The Dreaded Double Chin
Excess volume under the chin and neck area creates an appearance of an extra chin, which medical professionals also call submental fullness. A small or weak chin, combined with excessive fullness around the neck and in the area just under the chin, can make you appear older or heavier than you really are. For many patients, submental fullness has become an even bigger concern than the lines and wrinkles that develop around their eyes and brow line.
Factors that contribute to the appearance of a double chin include heredity and the bone structure of your face, as well as aging, which creates drooping skin and lax muscles around the chin and jawline – also known as a “turkey neck.”
Your chin has a profound influence on the shape of your neck. A double chin will make a chin look shorter than it really is, and a recessed chin will make the neck look heavier than it really is. Many people who are affected by the combination of a small or receding chin and unwanted neck fat choose to combine a chin augmentation with a liposuction surgery for an even better improvement in their appearance.
What Is a Chin Implant?
A chin implant is a medical device that is designed to make the chin project further and create a clearer separation between where the chin stops and the neck begins.
For people who are young that have a weak chin, a chin augmentation procedure can subtly bring their facial features into a more pleasing balance, in addition to helping accent the jawline and reduce the “jowly” appearance that can occur during the aging process.
During a chin augmentation procedure, a cosmetic surgeon such as San Francisco-based Dr. Michael Kulick will make a small incision inside your mouth, just below your bottom front teeth, then position a biocompatible silicone implant on top of your chin bone. These flexible chin implants come in several sizes, and you and Dr. Kulick will work together to determine the ideal size to complement your facial anatomy.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Chin Implant?
People who make the best candidates for a chin augmentation have a few qualities in common.
- People whose self-esteem is affected by an indistinct jawline, small chin or imbalanced facial features
- Those who have a weak jaw and a short or flabby neck, creating the appearance of a double chin – especially in profile
- Patients in good physical health who do not smoke and have no major medical conditions
- People with a realistic outlook for what the procedure can help them achieve
Combining a Chin Augmentation With a Liposuction
A liposuction surgery is a very straightforward procedure with an excellent track record among patients who are frustrated with pockets of fat that do not respond well to diet and exercise. As you now understand, several factors contribute to the appearance of a double chin, and excess skin around the neck and jawline is one of those. If you are already considering a chin augmentation to help create a more defined jawline, ask Dr. Kulick about adding a liposuction surgery to help contour and reshape your neck and minimize the appearance of a double chin.
According to a study from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, liposuction surgery was one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in 2017,
with nearly 250,000 procedures performed. ** It’s not difficult to understand why: The procedure is safe, has a relatively brief recovery time and can produce dramatic improvements. Dr. Kulick provides a modern liposuction technique called LipoSelection, which uses ultrasonic energy to liquefy the fat before removing it from a patient’s body. With this method, patients have reported low to minimal pain, swelling and bruising.
Learn More About Chin Augmentation & Liposuction
Combining chin implants with a liposuction can take years off your appearance by reshaping your chin and neck area. To learn more about if this combination of procedures is right for you, contact Dr. Kulick’s office at 415-956-2550 to schedule your personal consultation. With more than two decades as one of San Francisco’s most sought-after cosmetic surgeons, Dr. Kulick maintains board certification with the prestigious American Board of Plastic Surgery, and is committed to providing consistently outstanding results.
* Source: nytimes.com, April 2012
** Source: ASPS, March 2018
Dr. Michael Kulick, MD is a leading board certified plastic surgeon in San Francisco, California. During an initial consultation, he’ll examine your individual anatomy, discuss all your options, and create a unique treatment plan along with any other necessary procedures. If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of plastic surgery and are looking for a qualified cosmetic surgeon, use this online form to request a consultation with Dr. Kulick or call 415-956-2550.
