First, work out what kind of double chin you have
A double chin is not always the same problem. Before comparing treatments, it helps to know which of these is mainly responsible, because each option works on a different part of it.
- Fat: a soft pocket of fat under the chin that you can pinch.
- Loose skin: skin that has lost some firmness and sags below the jaw.
- Both together: the most common picture from the 40s onwards.
- Structure: a small or set back chin, or the position of the neck, which can make fullness look worse.
A simple test is to look at your profile in natural light with your head level. If the fullness is soft and pinchable with firm skin, fat is the main issue. If the skin creases and hangs when you tilt your head down, laxity is playing a part. A doctor can tell you more precisely.
The main non surgical options compared
| Option | Works mainly on | Sessions | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight loss and lifestyle | General fat | Ongoing | Cannot target the chin and does not tighten skin |
| Fat dissolving injections | Small fat pockets | Often several | Little effect on loose skin |
| Surface energy treatments such as HIFU | Mild skin laxity | Varies | Limited effect on fat |
| Microneedling with radiofrequency such as Morpheus8 | Skin quality and mild laxity | Often a course | Limited effect on fat |
| Endolift | Small fat pockets and mild to moderate laxity | Usually 1 | Not for heavy, hanging skin or large fat volumes |
Surgery, including neck liposuction and neck lift, sits beyond this list. It remains the better choice for large amounts of fat or heavy, hanging skin.
Each option in plain terms
Weight loss and lifestyle
If your weight has risen, losing some of it will often reduce fullness under the chin. It cannot target the chin specifically, though, and some people carry fat there even when slim. Rapid weight loss can also leave skin looser. Our page on loose skin after weight loss covers that situation.
Fat dissolving injections
These are injections into the fat under the chin, designed to break down fat cells. They can help a small, well defined pocket of fat in someone with firm skin. They do not tighten skin, and more than 1 session is often needed. Swelling afterwards can be marked. We compare them directly in Endolift vs fat dissolving injections.
Surface energy treatments
Treatments such as HIFU deliver energy through the surface of the skin to encourage tightening. They suit people with mild laxity who want a lighter option. They are not designed to remove fat. You can read how they differ from Endolift on our Endolift vs HIFU page.
Radiofrequency microneedling
Morpheus8 and similar devices combine fine needles with radiofrequency to improve skin texture and firmness. They are often given as a course. Like HIFU, they work mainly on the skin rather than on fat beneath it. They can be a reasonable choice when the main concern is skin quality, fine creasing or a slightly soft jawline, rather than a pocket of fullness under the chin.
Endolift
Endolift works from beneath the skin. A fibre 200 to 600 microns wide is placed through a tiny entry point under local anaesthetic, with no incisions or stitches. The 1470 nm laser is strongly absorbed by water and fat, so it can liquefy small fat deposits, contract the fibrous bands under the skin for some immediate tightening and trigger collagen remodelling that keeps improving the result for around 6 months.
Because it addresses both fat and laxity, it suits the common mixed picture. It is usually a single session of 60 to 90 minutes. Afterwards you wear a compression strap for 3 to 4 days. Swelling, bruising, tenderness, temporary numbness and some firmness are expected. Most people return to work the next day or within 48 hours. Rarer risks include burns, skin irregularity, infection, scarring at entry points and temporary nerve weakness, such as the marginal mandibular nerve, which can affect the smile. Results vary and can last up to 2 years.
Which option suits which chin
- Small fat pocket, firm skin: fat dissolving injections or Endolift may both be considered.
- Mild laxity, little fat: surface energy treatments or Endolift.
- Small fat pocket plus mild to moderate laxity: Endolift is often a good fit, as it treats both.
- Large fat volume or heavy, hanging skin: surgery is usually better.
- A small chin or neck posture as the main cause: a different approach altogether may be needed.
Dr Seth's view "Most people I see under the chin have a little fat and a little looseness together. That matters, because a treatment that only removes fat can leave the skin looking emptier, and a treatment that only tightens the surface may not shift the fullness. I look at both before suggesting anything, and when the skin is too heavy for a laser, I say so."
At TK Medispa, Endolift for the under chin as a single area is £1,500, all inclusive. Many people combine it with the neck or jowls as part of the lower face for £2,000. More detail is on the neck and double chin page.
Next step
If you are not sure which type of double chin you have, a photo assessment is a simple place to start. Send 3 photos (front, left and right, in natural light) for Dr Seth's free assessment, and he will tell you honestly which option is likely to suit you. Send your photos to Dr Seth.
Questions people also ask
What is the most effective non surgical treatment for a double chin?
There is no single answer, because it depends on the cause. When fat and mild to moderate looseness occur together, Endolift is often a good fit because it addresses both. When only fat is present and the skin is firm, injections may be enough.
Can exercise get rid of a double chin?
General weight loss can reduce fullness under the chin if your weight has risen, but exercises targeting the chin cannot remove fat from that spot or tighten loose skin. Some people carry fat there even at a healthy weight.
How many Endolift sessions does a double chin need?
Usually 1 session of about 60 to 90 minutes. Results build over 3 to 6 months as collagen remodels and treated fat clears. Results vary and can last up to 2 years, depending on age, skin, weight stability, sun and smoking.
This article is general information, not personal medical advice. Results vary between individuals and are not guaranteed. Endolift® and LASEmaR® are registered trademarks of Eufoton® S.r.l.