If I Lose Weight Will My Double Chin Go Away?

Your weight, age and genetics all play a role in whether or not you have a double chin. But if your goal is to get rid of it, losing weight may help your double chin go away. Here's how to lose weight safely, plus other possible ways to remove chin and neck fat.

A number of factors can contribute to a double chin (and whether or not it can ever go away), according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. These include:

• Genetics
• Weight gain
• Anatomy
• The position of your airway

Age can also be a factor, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. That's because you lose muscle tone and collagen as you age, which can make the skin on your neck sag.

So, if you lose weight will you lose your double chin, too? Because weight gain is a primary cause of a double chin, losing weight may indeed help you get rid of it.

But it's important to note that you can't target weight loss to one specific body part, like your chin, according to the American Council on Exercise. Instead, losing weight throughout your body can help a double chin go away, along with excess fat in other areas.

Eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly are two key components of any weight-loss endeavor, according to the Mayo Clinic. Here's how to get started with each habit.

There's no specific diet for double chin weight loss. But eating nutritious meals can help you lose weight throughout your body, according to the Mayo Clinic. Your diet should include foods and nutrients such as:

• Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains like whole-wheat bread, barley and brown rice
• Sources of protein, including nuts, eggs, fish and lean meat like chicken
• Beneficial fats, including those found in nuts, olive oil, avocado and dairy products like yogurt

At the same time, limit or avoid the following foods:

• Refined carbohydrates like white bread and breakfast cereals
• Foods with added sugars like baked goods, soda and condiments
• Foods with trans or saturated fats like red meat, butter and certain cheeses

You'll also need to create a daily calorie deficit to help you lose weight, per the Mayo Clinic. Cutting 500 to 1,000 calories per day will typically help you lose weight — around your chin and otherwise — at the safe and sustainable pace of about 1 to 2 pounds per week.

Physical activity can also contribute to your daily calorie deficit, according to the Mayo Clinic. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend adults do 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity (or 75 minutes of intense cardio) and at least two strength training sessions per week.

Try cardio activities and different types of strength training, such as:

• Walking
• Running
• Cycling
• Swimming
• Rowing
• Dancing
• Boxing
• Weight lifting
• Circuit training
• Isometric exercises

Eating a nutritious diet and exercising are the safest ways to lose weight throughout your body, including your double chin. That said, there are certain medical treatments may reduce chin and neck fat. Only an experienced doctor should perform these procedures, which include:

Lipolysis is a treatment that involves getting injections of chemicals that destroy fat cells, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). For instance, deoxycholic acid (also known as Kybella) is an FDA-approved drug commonly used for this procedure.

You may need up to six treatments, and should start noticing fat reduction after about two months. Per the ASPS, you may also experience the following side effects after your injections:

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Pain
• Redness
• Temporary feelings of hardness in the area

During this procedure, your doctor will make a small incision in your chin area and use a tube to suck out excess fat, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. You may experience bruising and swelling for up to two weeks after liposuction as your body heals.

Certain surgeries, like face or neck lifts, remove excess fat and skin from your neck area, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. However, it may take months to heal from these procedures. And some people may be at risk for complications due to the anesthesia used during these surgeries, including:

• People with serious health conditions
• People who smoke
• People who take anti-clotting medication