Neck fat often occurs when a layer of fat amasses around the top of the neck, as a result causing the neck to sag, creating a wrinkle which appears like a double chin.
While this condition can be linked to weight gain, it isn’t always a sign of weight gain.
Causes of a Double Chin
There are a number of factors that may cause neck fat. These include:
1.Genetics
There are people who are more genetically predisposed to a double chin if at all there was a history of skin elasticity in their family.
2. Poor Posture and age
Some double chin cases can also be attributed to poor posture and age.
A bad posture weakens neck muscles. As you age, the neck muscles also weaken. To avoid this, you should always sit in a relaxed posture.
3. Loosening skin
Loss of fat around the chin may lead to a double chin.
Getting rid of double chin
Neck fat can be eliminated through the following methods:
- Physical exercises
- Diet change
- Lipolysis
- Mesotherapy
- Kybella
- Double chin surgery
- Massage
There are different methods of neck fat reduction, the method to be used depends on the cause of the fat. Double chins caused by weight gain are better reduced by physical exercises or massage.
However, if the cause of the double chin is not weight gain, surgical treatments are used to remove your double chin.
Some of the common examples of chin reduction surgeries include lipolysis, mesotherapy, and Kybella.
Double Chin Reduction Exercises
There are numerous exercises that can help tighten neck muscles and break down that layer of neck fat. These include:
- Straight jaw juts: This is done by following the following steps: first, start by tilting your head back as if you are looking up at the ceiling. Next, thrust your lower jaw forward to the point you feel a stretch under the chin. Stay at this position for 10 seconds before relaxing your jaw and returning to a neutral position.
- Pucker up: This is done by tipping your head back so that you’re looking at the sky and pull your lips into a kiss to a point of feeling a stretch in the top of your neck. Stay for a few seconds before you return to a neutral position.
- Ball exercise: This is achieved by sitting down and getting relaxed. Place an easy to squeeze ball under your chin. Then, push your chin down against the ball. Repeat this several times.
- Tongue stretch: This is done by sitting or standing with a comfortable posture. Make sure your mouth is wide open as you stick your tongue out as far as you can. If done in the right way, you will feel the muscles in your neck, chin, and jaw compressing.
Before attempting any of the above exercises, warm up by slowly rotating your neck, first in the clockwise direction and then anti-clockwise.
For these exercises to achieve any meaningful effect, they should be completed on a daily basis, between 10 and 15 times.
Diet Changes
This applies if your neck fat has been caused by weight gain. Some of the diets changes include shunning high-cholesterol foods, saturated fats and sugar, and processed foods. For more details see our guide on weight loss diet.
For the result to be effective, it’s also recommended to reduce the portion quantity of meals and avoiding fried food.
While at it, ensure that you are eating more fruits and vegetables. In addition, eat high-protein foods, such as fish and chicken.
Furthermore, add more healthy natural fats, such as nuts and avocados, to your diet.
Last but not least, always drink more water, and consume water-rich foods.
Massage
Double chin is believed to be an indicator of a sluggish lymphatic system. Experts recommend attempting massage as a strategy of freeing your jawline of any excess fluid.
Massage is done by placing your thumbs under your jawline and lightly pressing down, inching the pads of your thumbs back towards your ears.
To do the massage, face masks containing glycerin can also be purchased. The face masks help tighten the skin around the face and neck.
Surgical treatments
This is recommended when your double chin is genetically-inspired. Double chin reduction surgeries include:
- Lipolysis
- Mesotherapy
- Kybella
Lipolysis
This is also referred to as liposculpture. It uses liposuction to get rid of fat.
The procedure may also be achieved using a laser. It is painful and may lead to swelling and bruising.
Mesotherapy
This procedure comprises injections of fat-dissolving compounds. To achieve results, a patient will need more than 100 injections.
It also takes a minimum of six months before meaningful results can be achieved. If done wrong, the injections may cause nerve damage.
KyBella
KyBella is injected into the neck fat area to destroy neck fat cells. Deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring molecule in the body, is responsible for the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat.
It is approved by FDA and it must be administered by Kybella-certified healthcare specialists.
Also, it may cause nerve injury in the jaw. Some patients who have been injected with KyBella reported trouble in swallowing, bruising, hair loss, open sores, and necrosis around the injection area.
Conclusion
Because neck fat is caused by different factors, it is advisable to consult a doctor to identify the correct, best and safe double chin reduction method for you.
Like any other build-up of fat around the body, the best ways to tackle a double chin is to make fundamental changes to your diet and increase your exercise regime.
Unless you fundamentally change, be ready to have a new double chin even after eliminating the first one.
