
Excess fat under the chin is a problem for so many people. It affects both men and women, regardless of age. Some studies even show that up to 70% of the population is bothered by a double chin. Part of the reason for this high dissatisfaction rate is that a double chin has numerous underlying causes. It can be genetic. It can also be the result of weight gain or loss, age, poor posture, and even hormonal changes in your skin tone. Thankfully, several aesthetic treatment options can help improve the appearance of submental fullness, giving you a cleaner, crisper, and more youthful-looking jawline. Your perfect option will depend on your anatomy, lifestyle, and needs.
SculpSure is a non-surgical fat reduction procedure that can provide serious improvement in a double chin. The key to an exemplary result, however, is proper patient selection and appropriate expectations.
Body contouring, both surgical and non-surgical, is one of the founding pillars of Dr. Sean Doherty, a board-certified plastic surgeon. He was one of the first surgeons in Boston to offer patients this cutting-edge technology. Since 2013, Dr. Doherty has been a medical director for Cynosure, the distributor of SculpSure®, and a principal investigator in its initial studies and FDA approval. He has a firm understanding of the pros and cons of the procedure as well as who makes an ideal candidate.
SculpSure® for Double Chin Consultation
There is a proliferation of information available to aesthetic patients these days. The nice thing about the internet is that it allows for deeper education. The downside is that none of this information is tailored to your unique anatomy. Just because SculpSure® for a Double Chin worked wonders for your favorite influencer, best friend or even a family member does not mean that you will get the same result. This is why it is critical to schedule an in-person meeting.
During your initial consultation, Dr. Doherty or a trained member of his staff will listen closely to what bothers you about your body contour. They will inquire into your medical history, family history and aesthetic history. The latter includes any other procedures, including injectables, that you may have had in the past as well as how your body reacted, and whether or not you were happy with your results. Then, they will perform a through physical exam to assess:
- Amount of excess fat
- Whether fat is isolated to a “pocket” or more dispersed
- Skin elasticity
- Degree, if any, of loose, hanging skin
- Anatomic concerns
After the evaluation, the doctor or his team will discuss your options and customize a treatment plan to help you achieve a sleek profile and improve the appearance of your double chin. Dr. Doherty prides himself on always being honest about whether or not your chosen procedure will deliver your desired results. SculpSure® as a double chin treatment can be extremely effective. But only for the right candidate.
Ideal Candidate for Improving Double Chin with SculpSure®
The ideal candidate for improving the appearance of a double chin with SculpSure® is any man or women in:
- Is in good overall health
- Is close to a maintainable goal weight and body mass (within 10 lbs.)
- Is bothered by a small degree of localized excess fat under the chin
- Has healthy skin elasticity
- Has minimal loose skin on lower face/neck
The ideal candidate is looking for a non-surgical body contouring solution and has appropriate expectations about the results. Furthermore, the candidate understands that SculpSure® for the double chin is not a one-and-done procedure like liposuction. Instead, optimum results will require a series of treatments, spaced over a period of weeks (6-8 weeks apart).
Bottom line, you may be a good candidate for this procedure if you have a pocket of fat under your chin that you can pull away from the rest of your body, but not a large amount of drooping skin. While the heat of SculpSure® may induce a small degree of skin tightening, patients with a lot of loose skin are going to be better candidates for a surgical neck lift. And those with a large amount of fat may be better served with liposuction either on its own or in combination with Renuvion® (radiofrequency) for skin tightening.
Benefits of SculpSure®
There are quite a few non-surgical modalities for addressing excess fat under the chin including Coolsculpting® and the injectable Kybella®. The advantage of SculpSure® is that since it uses laser heat to reduce the fat cells in the treatment area, it may also deliver a mild tightening effect as well. Other benefits of SculpSure® for treating the double chin include:
- Fast, 25-minute treatment sessions that can fit your lunch hour
- No need for anesthesia because it is not a painful procedure
- Non-invasive treatment
- Can return to normal routine immediately after treatment
- Works in all skin types
- Does not cause paroxysmal adipose hypertrophy
While each SculpSure treatment may ideally induce up to a 24% reduction in the number of fat cells under your chin, you will probably need more than one session to deliver your desired result. Most patients notice an improvement 3-6 weeks after treatment and require 2-3 sessions, spaced 6-8 weeks apart, for optimum results. Once these results are achieved, however, they are permanent assuming your weight stays stable.
SculpSure® for Excess Fat Under the Chin Procedure & Recovery
SculpSure is an outpatient procedure that is performed in the office. The device applies laser energy to specific areas, causing the fat cells beneath the chin to warm up while keeping the skin cool. Most patients experience a mild tingling sensation and a tolerable increase in heat. The laser-based treatment works because the uptick in temperature in the targeted fat cells destroys their structural integrity without damaging adjacent skin. With time, about 8-12 weeks, these dead cells are naturally eliminated through your body’s natural processes via the lymphatic system.
Recovery from SculpSure®
Patients who undergo SculpSure® may experience some slight cramping in the treatment area during the short recovery period. But they are cleared to return to their normal activities immediately after the procedure. The hardest thing for most patients is that it requires patience. Laser treatment results are not immediate, and depending on how many sessions you need, it could be a couple of months before you achieve your final results. However, you will get these results without having to take time off work or disrupt your regular activities to recover. Most patients find this to be a fair trade-off.
Although SculpSure® for double chin can help reduce fat and tight contours, it is not a miracle cure. While the treatment itself has no unwanted side effects, the best results are achieved when combined with a healthy lifestyle that includes a careful diet and regular exercise. Maintaining a stable weight is key to keeping your results over time.
Another important component of maintaining the results from SculpSure® for double chin is to incorporate a regular skincare regimen that will help keep your chin profile smooth and toned.

So, if your double chin is the only thing you notice when you look in the mirror, schedule an appointment to come in and speak with Dr. Doherty about SculpSure®. To find out more about SculpSure® for a double chin, or any other surgical or non-surgical procedure with Dr. Sean Doherty at his Boston or Brookline office, contact us today or call (617) 450.0070 to schedule a consultation and achieve your cosmetic goals.