A double chin is a fullness under the jaw that can make your profile look softer than you would like, and it is common in slim people as well as those carrying more weight. At ZARA, 304 Edgware Road, the main treatment is fat dissolving injections: a set of small injections that reduce some of the fat cells in that one pocket. Where the fullness is mostly loose skin rather than fat, HIFU may be discussed instead.
Fat dissolving injections are for contouring a small, stubborn area in someone close to a stable weight. They are not a weight loss treatment. Swelling afterwards is expected, the change is gradual and more than one session is usually needed. The product used, and whether it suits you, are confirmed at a face-to-face consultation.
Fat dissolving injections are priced at consultation, once the product, the area and the likely number of sessions are agreed. HIFU is also priced at consultation.
Is your double chin fat, skin or jaw shape?
Not every double chin is caused by fat. Before suggesting anything, we check which of these is behind it:
- A soft, pinchable pocket of fat, which is what fat dissolving injections are designed for.
- Loose skin under the chin and on the neck, where HIFU may be a closer match.
- Jaw and chin shape, such as a chin that sits back, which makes the area look fuller from the side. Jawline or chin filler may be talked through here, each with its own consultation.
- Neck muscles and posture, which injections cannot change.
Genetics has a large say in where the body stores fat, which is why some people keep a double chin despite eating well and exercising. Many people have more than one of these factors, and an honest assessment saves you paying for the wrong treatment.
How do fat dissolving injections work under the chin?
The area is marked with a grid, and a series of small injections is spread evenly across it. The solution damages the outer wall of the fat cells it reaches, and the body then removes that debris gradually over the next few weeks. Most people feel stinging or burning that eases over minutes to hours.
Once a fat cell has been destroyed, the body does not normally make a new one in its place. The cells left behind can still enlarge if you put on weight, so a steady weight helps the result last. Appointments are booked as 40 minutes.
Which product is used, and why does a consultation come first?
There are different fat dissolving solutions, and some are prescription-only medicines, so we do not name products on our website. At your consultation the practitioner explains the solution proposed, how it works and its possible side effects, checks your health and medicines, and confirms whether treatment is suitable for you at all. You can ask anything you like before agreeing to go ahead, and you do not have to decide on the day.
How many sessions, and how bad is the swelling?
One session can only deal with so much fat, which is why most people are advised to have a course, with several weeks between visits. How many you need comes down to the size of the pocket and how much fat it holds. Your practitioner gives you an estimate before you start and reviews progress at each visit before suggesting another session.
Expect swelling: it is the most noticeable after-effect. Under the chin it can be quite visible for several days, sometimes longer, so many people book when they have a quieter week ahead. Because the swelling hides any result at first, most people only judge the effect several weeks after a session.
What other side effects should you know about?
You may also have redness, soreness to touch, bruising and a hot or burning sensation in the treated skin. Numbness or tingling can last a few weeks, and the area may feel firm or slightly lumpy while it settles. A cold compress can help.
Less commonly, treatment under the chin can cause difficulty swallowing or an uneven smile, and either should be reported to us straight away. You leave with written aftercare, which usually includes avoiding strenuous exercise, saunas and heat treatments for a short time.
Who should not have double chin injections?
Treatment is usually not offered if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you hope to lose a significant amount of weight, if the skin is infected, inflamed or broken, or if you have a bleeding disorder, take some blood-thinning medicines or are allergic to any ingredient. Swallowing difficulties and certain thyroid or neck conditions also rule out treatment under the chin. Only adults can be treated, and photo ID may be requested. If weight loss is your real goal, your GP is a good place to start.
When is HIFU the alternative?
If the fullness is mainly loose skin under the chin and on the neck, HIFU may suit you better. It uses focused ultrasound to heat points beneath the skin and prompt new collagen, with no needles, and the firming develops over two to three months. It does not set out to remove fat, and it suits mild to moderate looseness rather than heavy excess skin, where a surgical opinion is more useful.
HIFU needs care in very thin faces and is not offered in pregnancy or with a pacemaker or other electronic implant. We will tell you at consultation whether HIFU, injections or neither is the sensible choice.
Close to Bayswater, Paddington and Marble Arch
A course means a few visits, so it helps that ZARA is about 50 metres from the Bakerloo line entrance at Edgware Road station in W2. Paddington Basin is around six minutes away on foot, Marble Arch is under 20 minutes' walk up Edgware Road, and Bayswater is two stops on the Circle line. We see clients until 8pm from Monday to Saturday, and between 1pm and 5pm on Sundays and bank holidays.
Book your free double chin consultation through the booking form, on WhatsApp at 07479 973309 or by calling 020 4619 8781.
Double chin treatment: your questions answered
Is this a way to lose weight from my face?
No. The injections reduce a small pocket of fat in one place and make no real difference to your body weight. They work for people who are already near a stable weight.
When will my double chin start to look smaller?
Once the swelling has settled, any change appears gradually over the following weeks. The full picture becomes clearer across the course rather than after one visit, and results vary from person to person.
Can I go back to work the next day?
Most people return to normal activities, but the swelling under the chin can be visible for several days. If you have meetings or an event coming up, book when your diary is lighter.
Can the fat come back?
Treated fat cells are not usually replaced, but the remaining ones can grow if you gain weight. Keeping your weight steady helps hold on to the change, and no outcome can be promised to any individual.
What if my double chin is mostly loose skin?
Injections will not tighten skin. HIFU may help mild looseness under the chin and on the neck, while significant sagging is better assessed by a surgeon.
How much does double chin treatment cost?
Fat dissolving injections are priced at consultation, because the product, the area and the number of sessions all affect the cost, and a course is usually advised. HIFU is priced at consultation. You are given the likely number of sessions and the price before you start.
