A double chin is one of the most common aesthetic concerns we see in consultation, and one of the most noticeable as summer arrives: with the neck and jawline more exposed, that undefined contour under the chin becomes more obvious in photos and when the hair is tied back. The first thing to understand about how to get rid of a double chin is that there is no single method. The right solution depends on what is causing it —accumulated fat, skin laxity, or a combination of both— and on how pronounced it is.
At Marbella Facelift, where facial and neck lift surgery is our specialty, we see every day that the same “double chin” can have very different causes from one person to another. In this guide we explain, with a surgical perspective and realistic expectations, which options exist —from habits and aesthetic medicine to surgery— and when each one makes sense.
Why does a double chin appear? The causes of submental fullness
Before looking at how to remove it, you need to understand its origin, because that is what determines which method will actually be effective. A double chin is not always linked to being overweight: it can appear in slim people and for very different reasons.
- Submental fat accumulation: fat deposits beneath the chin that blur the angle between the neck and the jaw. They are often resistant to diet because they respond to genetics, not weight.
- Loss of skin elasticity: with age, collagen and elastin decrease, the skin of the neck slackens and laxity appears. Here the problem is not fat, but sagging tissue.
- Genetics: the bone structure of the chin and the way each person stores fat largely determine the tendency to develop a double chin.
- Posture and habits: spending many hours with the head tilted down (phone, computer) weakens the neck muscles and encourages laxity over time.
In practice, the key question is not only how to get rid of a double chin, but whether fat or laxity predominates: when fat predominates and skin quality is good, simpler treatments are enough; when there is excess skin, the solution is to tighten the tissues.
Natural methods: do they really work to remove a double chin?
In very mild cases —especially when the double chin is due to fat and the skin still has good elasticity— some habits can slightly improve its appearance. It is important to be realistic: they help with prevention and maintenance, but rarely eliminate an established double chin on their own.
Exercise and toning
Neck and jaw exercises can improve muscle tone, but they do not act on deep fat or sagging skin. They are a complement, not a standalone solution.
Weight loss
Reducing body fat can decrease submental volume. However, if the fat is genetic or there is already laxity, losing weight can even accentuate the sagging of the skin.
Improving posture
Avoiding the “head down” position for hours helps slow progressive laxity. It is useful prevention, especially in younger people.
Non-surgical treatments for a double chin
When habits are not enough but the double chin is mild to moderate, aesthetic medicine offers minimally invasive options. They work best when there is little laxity and the skin still has the capacity to retract.
- Fat-dissolving (lipolytic) injections: micro-injections that help dissolve localised fat under the chin. They usually require several sessions and are indicated when the issue is fat, not skin.
- Radiofrequency: heats the dermis to stimulate collagen and improve firmness. Useful as support in mild laxity.
- Focused ultrasound (HIFU): tightens deeper tissues without incisions. Improves the contour in mild to moderate cases.
These treatments offer progressive improvements, visible over weeks or months, and usually need maintenance. Their main limitation: they do not remove excess skin. When laxity is marked, no non-surgical treatment will redefine the neck in a lasting way.
When is surgery needed to remove a double chin?
In moderate or severe cases —especially when there is excess skin or a very pronounced double chin— surgery is the most effective option and the one that offers the most durable results. The specific procedure depends, again, on whether the problem is fat, skin, or both.
Submental liposuction
Indicated when the main problem is fat and the skin has good elasticity to retract. Through tiny incisions under the chin, the fat is removed and the contour is redefined. It is a relatively quick procedure, with recovery of a few days to a couple of weeks.
Neck lift and facelift
When there is significant laxity or excess skin, the solution is to tighten the tissues. A neck lift repositions the skin and reinforces the platysma muscle (platysmaplasty) to restore the neck angle and the jawline. At Marbella Facelift it is one of our most requested procedures and is often integrated into a facelift in Marbella, which addresses the rejuvenation of the face and neck together for a harmonious result.
Surgical results are the most stable: they last for years, although —like any procedure— they do not stop subsequent natural ageing.
How to choose the right double chin treatment for you
There is no universal solution. The right choice depends on several factors that can only be assessed individually:
- Age and skin quality (capacity to retract)
- Amount of submental fat accumulated
- Degree of laxity and excess skin
- The patient’s expectations and stage of life
That is why the first step is always a personalised assessment with a surgeon, who can distinguish whether your double chin is fat, skin, or mixed. In people for whom the double chin is part of a wider process of facial ageing, the most sensible approach is sometimes a global one such as full facial rejuvenation in Marbella, combining several techniques rather than treating the neck in isolation.
Can a double chin be removed permanently?
How permanent the result is depends on the method used:
- Natural methods: limited, non-permanent results.
- Aesthetic treatments: progressive improvements that require maintenance.
- Surgery: durable results (years), although it does not stop the passage of time.
Even after an effective treatment, ageing will continue to influence the face. To get a realistic idea of how long the results of a surgical procedure last, you may find our article on how long a facelift lasts useful.
Treating a double chin in Marbella: a consultation with our team
At Marbella Facelift, within HC Marbella International Hospital, we assess each double chin in consultation to identify its real cause and recommend the treatment that genuinely fits your case —without promising miracles. If you are thinking about defining your neck and jawline, and especially with the Costa del Sol summer just around the corner, meet our team of surgeons and request a personalised assessment.
Frequently asked questions about getting rid of a double chin
Can you get rid of a double chin without surgery?
Yes, in mild or moderate cases. When the problem is fat with good skin quality, fat-dissolving injections, radiofrequency or focused ultrasound can improve the contour. If there is marked excess skin, no non-surgical treatment removes it in a lasting way.
How do you remove the fat from a double chin?
Submental fat can be treated with fat-dissolving injections (several sessions) in mild cases, or with submental liposuction when the fat deposit is significant and the skin retains its elasticity.
Can a double chin be removed with a facelift or neck lift?
Yes. When the double chin is due to laxity and excess skin, a neck lift —often within a facelift— tightens the skin and the platysma muscle to redefine the neck. It is the most effective and durable option in these cases.
Is double chin removal permanent?
Surgery offers results that last for years, but it does not stop natural ageing. Non-surgical treatments give progressive improvements that require maintenance.
What is the best treatment for a double chin?
There is no single best option for everyone: it depends on whether fat or laxity predominates, on skin quality and on age. An assessment with a surgeon is what makes it possible to choose between aesthetic medicine, liposuction or a neck lift.
