Why Do I Have a Double Chin Even Though I’m Skinny?

The first thing to look at when someone has a double chin is their weight. For the most part, the primary cause of double chins in people is their general body fat level, or how much fat percentage they have in their body. But not everyone who has a double chin is fat, which leads many individuals wondering why.

So why might you have a double chin even though you’re skinny? If you are thin and you are suffering from a double chin, then you might be genetically predisposed to having stubborn fat underneath the chin area. Where your body might store its stubborn fat is a genetic lottery; some people store stubborn fat in their thighs, others in their hips, and others in their chin. Other possible causes of a double chin in skinny people include poor posture and age.

What Causes Double Chin?

For patients seeking Kybella treatment, one of the most common questions we get at Ethos Spa is, “Why do I have a double chin when I'm skinny?”. The simple answer is, there’s never one reason. While most cases of double chin are caused by being overweight, cases of double chin in skinny people can be caused by a number of reasons. Some of these include:

• You’re not fat but you’re skinny fat: Some people confuse their low body weight with being skinny, but you can technically be lightweight while still having too much fat in proportion to your overall body and muscle mass. For these individuals, proper diet and exercise can do wonders for their stubborn fat areas.
• Age: As we age, our skin naturally loses collagen and elasticity. This leads to a slow sagging of the jaw, leading to excess skin hanging off the bottom of the chin. This results in the appearance of a double chin not created by fat but by having too much draping skin. More importantly, our metabolism slows down with age, which could lead to unwanted weight gain.
• Poor posture: Poor posture, as well as a lack of exercise, lead to the weakening of the muscles in a person’s jaw and neck. These muscles contribute to the natural elasticity of the skin around your cheeks and face. If these muscles weaken, the skin will naturally loosen up, leading to the appearance of a natural double chin.

Getting Rid of Your Chin Fat

Can double chins go away? If a double chin is made up of fat, all it takes is losing the excess body weight. But if you are already at a normal body weight and you still find yourself suffering from a double chin, then there are some steps you can take to try to rid yourself of the extra chin.

Exercise Routine For Double Chin

There is little to no scientific evidence proving that exercises of the jaw and neck can help in reducing the appearance of a double chin, but many people will attest to this anecdotally. By building the muscles of your jaw and neck, the skin around these areas will naturally tighten up again, leading to a natural disappearance of the double chin. 

Here are six exercises that focus on the jaw and neck. Repeat each exercise every day, 10-15 times per day each.

1) Pucker up

• Tilt head back and keep eyes on the ceiling
• Pucker the lips in a kissing position, forcing the chin to stretch up
• Hold this position for ten seconds; release

2) Tongue stretch

• Standing straight and eyes forward, stick your tongue out and push it out
• Raise the tongue to your nose
• Hold this position for ten seconds; release

3) Ball exercise

• Place a small ball right underneath the chin
• Raise your head simply by pressing the chin against the ball
• Repeat this 20-30 times every day

4) Bottom jaw jut

• Tilt head back and keep eyes on the ceiling
• Turn head sideways to the right
• Slowly, use your lower jaw to push itself forward
• Hold this position for ten seconds; release
• Repeat with head turned left

5) Neck stretch

• Tilt head back and keep eyes on the ceiling
• Push the top of your tongue onto the top of the mouth
• Hold this position for ten seconds; release

6) Straight jaw jut

• Tilt head back and keep eyes on the ceiling
• Slowly, use your lower jaw to push itself forward until you feel it stretching
• Hold this position for ten seconds
• Relax and return the head down

Double Chin Focused Diet

Apart from exercises, individuals may also try to improve their diet to fix their double chin. If you’re skinny but you notice that you’re developing fat cells under the chin, one reason might be unprecedented weight gain. This means your body is starting to distribute more fat to your body, which in this case accumulates around the neck. It may feel like you’re not gaining weight at all but the sudden appearance of bulges and fat deposits prove otherwise. 

Even if you have a low body weight, you might still benefit from eating healthier and trying to lose weight. So what foods give you a double chin? Processed foods, refined grains, fried foods, and too much sugar can contribute to the appearance of a double chin.

Here are some standard health-conscious food guidelines:

• Eat vegetables and fruits daily (four and three servings each respectively)
• Eat whole grains instead of refined grains
• Avoid processed foods, fried foods, and too much sugar. Get rid of snacks
• Eat lean meats, such as fish and poultry
• Eat healthy fats, including nuts, avocados, and olive oil

And of course, always practice portion control when eating. Even the healthiest diet can be bad for you if your portions are too big for your daily needs.

Get Rid of the Double Chin With Kybella

When it comes down to it, there’s only so much we can do to change our body composition. Fat deposits that are found on the chin and the back of the neck can be attributed to genes and physical composition, which means that sometimes no amount of exercise or diet can spot-reduce the fat in this area. 

Thankfully, solutions like Kybella are designed to blast away stubborn submental fat for good, without having to undergo plastic surgery. Kybella is a non-invasive deoxycholic acid injection designed to treat double chin fullness. In as little as two treatments, the fat cells on your neck will melt away, giving you a more defined appearance. Before and after photos of patients undergoing Kybella show significant improvement on the treated area. 

Kybella is a prescription medicine specifically designed for treating the fat in this area. Only licensed dermatologists are allowed to administer Kybella treatments in their clinics. 

Choose Kybella, Choose Ethos

Kybella is the golden standard in non-invasive chit fat reduction. When it comes to Kybella treatments, Ethos Spa is the golden standard in New Jersey. 

At Ethos Spa, Skin and Laser Center, we ensure that all your treatments are done safely and appropriately. We go above and beyond during the consultation stage to help you understand your treatment plan so you can anticipate your results before the treatment even begins. 

Work with a spa that makes you feel good before, after, and during your treatment. Contact us to find out exactly why Kybella is right for you, and begin your path towards removing stubborn double chin today!