What Causes a Double Chin? And How Can I Get Rid of Mine?

A double chin can reflect inherited fat distribution, overall body fat, loose skin or a combination. The treatment question is therefore what is creating the fullness. In this 2020 episode, Darren M. Smith, MD, a plastic surgeon in New York City, compares approaches to fat beneath the chin and skin along the neck.

Dr. Smith explains why someone can have submental fullness despite regular exercise or a healthy weight. Weight change may affect the area, but exercising a particular body part does not selectively remove its fat.

Key takeaways

🔬 Identify fat versus skin.

Removing fat and addressing skin laxity are different goals; some people have both concerns.

🔎 Nonsurgical options have tradeoffs.

The recording discusses fat freezing and injectable treatment, including the possibility of multiple sessions and recovery after treatment.

🔬 Chin liposuction targets fat.

Dr. Smith describes it as an option for selected patients with localized fullness, sometimes performed with local anesthesia.

🔬 Skin treatment depends on the degree of laxity.

The discussion includes radiofrequency treatments and, for more substantial loose skin, neck lift surgery.

🔎 A combination may be considered.

The appropriate approach depends on anatomy and goals, rather than assuming one treatment fits every double chin.

💬 Questions answered

Can chin exercises get rid of a double chin?

The episode explains that targeted exercise cannot selectively remove fat from the chin. Overall weight change may alter fullness, but inherited fat distribution and loose skin can remain relevant.

Will liposuction also remove loose neck skin?

Liposuction removes fat. Dr. Smith distinguishes that goal from treating skin laxity and discusses additional procedures when loose skin is a separate concern. An assessment is needed to determine whether fat removal alone is suitable.

ℹ️ Current context for this 2020 recording

Kybella is an FDA-approved prescription drug containing deoxycholic acid for fat beneath the chin in adults; it is not an enzyme. Suitability and risks require a clinician's assessment.

In October 2025, the FDA issued a safety communication about certain uses of radiofrequency microneedling, reporting complications including burns, scarring, fat loss and nerve damage. This specifically concerns RF microneedling, which the episode discusses through Morpheus8; it should not be read as a finding about every type of radiofrequency procedure. Treatment preferences, prices and recovery examples in the recording reflect its original date.

🎧 Episode chapters

00:33 — Why a double chin develops

01:59 — Exercise and targeted fat loss

03:12 — Nonsurgical fat treatments

06:01 — Radiofrequency microneedling discussion

07:42 — Matching liposuction and skin treatments

12:13 — Neck lift and historical cost discussion

🔗 Related information

Explore chin liposuction, FaceTite and AccuTite, neck lift surgery, or request a consultation with Dr. Smith in New York City.

About the host — current biography

Darren M. Smith, MD, FACS is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Manhattan specializing in mommy makeover surgery, breast surgery, and body contouring. He was named to Newsweek’s America’s Best Plastic Surgeons 2026 and has co-authored authoritative peer-reviewed publications on combined breast surgery and abdominoplasty and the surgical care of postpartum patients.

Originally released July 5, 2020. Show notes updated September 30, 2026. This is general education. Current recommendations, suitability, risks and expected results require an individual assessment.

Full transcript and related resources