Despite its bad reputation, fat is an important substance your body needs. Unsaturated fats, for instance, help with blood cholesterol, heart rhythm, and inflammation.
Saturated fats, on the other hand, can be harmful in high doses. And one of the problems saturated fats cause is collecting in areas of the body, leading to obesity and other conditions.
Submental fat is a common example of saturated fats accumulating; fat gathers under the chin, a result commonly called a double chin. There are various reasons you may develop a double chin, just as there are various options to get rid of one.
If you’re looking to get rid of your double chin, Dr. Javier Zelaya and the medical team here at Skinworks Dermatology, with three New York City locations, can help.
A common reason for a double chin is weight gain. When the body stores more fat than it needs, it tends to deposit it in specific areas of the body. Where the fat ends up can also result from genetics, hormones, age, and gender. Women often carry more body fat than men.
Even if you’re trying to stay healthy, a double chin can develop over time.
Your options for reducing submental fat include:
An obvious way to reduce a double chin if it’s related to dietary weight gain is by making lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthier diet and starting an exercise regimen.
Reducing consumption of processed foods, eating lean proteins and healthy fats, and adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet can make a difference.
Also known as cryolipolysis, CoolSculpting is a type of fat reduction that uses cold to destroy fat cells. The skin to be treated is vacuumed into a device that exposes the skin to freezing temperatures. The cold targets the fat cells under the skin, and they leave your body over time.
Kybella is an injection treatment that involves deoxycholic acid, a natural acid your body uses to process fat. These injections destroy fat cells and prevent them from storing fat in the treated area. This treatment requires multiple sessions; the number varies from person to person.
Submental fat affects millions, but you don’t have to live with it. At Skinworks Dermatology offices in Maspeth, Chelsea, or Park Slope, Dr. Zelaya and our team can help you ditch your double chin so you feel better about how you look.
Call the office nearest you today or make your appointment online.
