Fullness under the chin, sometimes called submental fullness, is one of the most common things people ask us about and one of the least responsive to diet and exercise. It is often as much about the shape of the jaw and the position of the chin as it is about fat, which is why it can appear in people who are slim and persist in people who have lost weight.
What causes it
Several things contribute, usually in combination. There may be a pocket of fat beneath the chin that is simply where your body stores it, often inherited. The chin may sit a little back, so there is less of an angle between jaw and neck for the skin to drape over. With age, the skin and the platysma muscle in the neck lose tone, so the tissue under the jaw sags forward. And a forward head posture, familiar to anyone who works at a screen, shortens the neck and pushes the soft tissue down.
What helps
The right treatment depends on which of those is the main factor, which is why the consultation matters.
Where the chin is receding or the jawline is soft, dermal filler at the chin and along the jaw creates a stronger angle between jaw and neck, so the area beneath looks tighter and more defined even though nothing has been removed. For many people this is the single most effective change.
Where skin laxity is contributing, Profhilo or polynucleotides in the lower face and neck improve firmness over a course of treatments.
Where a genuine fat pocket is the main problem, non-surgical options are more limited and we will be honest about that. Fat-dissolving injections and surgical options exist, and we can advise on when a referral is sensible.
What a consultation involves
We will look at your profile, feel the tissue under the chin, and assess the position of the chin and the tone of the skin. You will get an honest view of what non-surgical treatment can and cannot do for you, and a plan if you would like to go ahead.
