Under-chin fullness is not
always just fat.
A “double chin” is a visual description, not a diagnosis. Some patients have true submental fat, others primarily have loose skin, reduced chin projection, lower-face laxity or a combination of factors.
Bolus uses the treatment that fits the problem rather than forcing every problem into one treatment.
Do not treat fat when the problem is structure. Do not tighten skin when the problem is fat.
Many patients need more than one lower-face variable assessed before choosing a treatment.
Start by separating the variables.
Submental Fat
True fat beneath the chin may persist despite otherwise healthy body weight and may be influenced by genetics and anatomy.
Skin Laxity
Loose skin can create under-chin fullness even when there is relatively little fat. Fat reduction alone may not solve this.
Chin Projection
A retrusive or under-projected chin can make the neck and submental area look fuller by altering the facial profile.
Platysma + Jawline
Platysma activity, jowling and lower-face support can blur the jawline and may need separate treatment from submental fat.
Choose the tool by the cause.
Kybella
Deoxycholic acid injection may be considered for appropriate patients with true submental fat. Swelling can be substantial, and multiple sessions may be required.
RF Microneedling
May support collagen remodeling and tightening when mild skin laxity contributes to the under-chin or lower-face appearance.
Profile Balancing
Chin or jawline filler, neuromodulator and other structural approaches may be more useful when facial proportions or platysma activity are major contributors.
Different treatments do different jobs.
Targets selected submental fat using injectable deoxycholic acid. It is not a skin-tightening treatment and is not appropriate for every under-chin concern.
Collagen-oriented treatment for selected patients where skin quality and mild laxity contribute to the appearance.
Can improve proportion and contour when inadequate chin projection or jawline support makes the submental area appear heavier. Explore Dermal Fillers →
Selected treatment of platysma or lower-face muscle activity may refine the jawline in appropriate patients, but it does not remove fat. Explore Wrinkle Relaxers →
Significant submental fat, substantial laxity or anatomy unlikely to respond adequately to nonsurgical treatment may be better served by surgical evaluation. We would rather say that than oversell a nonsurgical option.
Preparation and recovery should match treatment intensity.
Assess
We evaluate anatomy, skin type, treatment history, priorities and recovery tolerance before recommending treatment.
Prioritize
We identify the change most likely to create meaningful improvement rather than treating everything automatically.
Choose
The technology or injectable is matched to the actual mechanism creating the concern.
Recover
Downtime and aftercare depend on treatment intensity; deeper or more corrective procedures require more structured recovery.
Maintain
Once correction is achieved, treatment can shift toward a maintenance rhythm appropriate to the concern.
Correction is stronger when maintenance is planned from the beginning.
Private Client is the ongoing pathway for patients who want plan-based care, preferred or exclusive pricing and the ability to shift between appropriate treatments as needs change.
Start with the question.
Text Bolus for general educational and scheduling information. We can help route you toward the appropriate consultation or treatment pathway.
Bolus Text Concierge: This service provides general educational and scheduling information only. Although Bolus Med Spa is staffed by healthcare professionals, texting is not a medical consultation, does not establish care or a healthcare provider-patient relationship, and does not provide diagnosis, individualized treatment recommendations, prescribing or medical advice. A clinical consultation or evaluation is required to determine an individualized treatment plan.
What patients usually want to know.
What causes a double chin?
Submental fat is one cause, but skin laxity, chin projection, jawline structure, platysma activity and genetics can also contribute.
Does Kybella tighten loose skin?
Kybella is intended to reduce selected submental fat. It is not primarily a skin-tightening treatment, so candidacy matters when laxity is present.
How much swelling occurs after Kybella?
Temporary swelling can be substantial and is one of the most important recovery considerations to understand before treatment.
Can filler improve a double chin?
Filler does not remove submental fat, but improving chin projection or jawline support can improve facial proportions in selected patients.
What if nonsurgical treatment will not give me the result I want?
If anatomy, fat volume or laxity makes surgery more likely to produce the desired result, a surgical consultation may be the more appropriate recommendation.
Located in Elkridge, near Columbia.
Bolus Med Spa serves Columbia, Ellicott City, Howard County, Hanover, Baltimore, Annapolis and surrounding Maryland communities.
Define the anatomy before defining the jawline.
A better lower-face plan begins by deciding whether the problem is fat, skin, muscle, structure — or a combination.
