Are you self-conscious about having a double chin? Otherwise known as submental fat, a double chin refers to the layer of fat that develops below your chin, causing the skin to sag. Since a double chin is a very prominent part of your physical appearance, having this condition can be quite detrimental to your self-esteem.
Contrary to what most believe, double chins are not necessarily caused by obesity. Other predisposing factors can make you susceptible to double chins. Below are seven different double chin causes and some tips on how to prevent them:
1. Health Problems
A double chin may appear out of the blue without you changing your diet or physical activity levels. This could be the result of an underlying medical condition. For example, having an underactive thyroid may cause the lymph glands to swell. This leads to the development of goitre, which causes your neck to swell.
Another medical cause of double chins is the Cushing’s syndrome, which is characterized by obesity in the upper part of the body and high levels of fat accumulation around the neck. Other medical conditions linked to double chins include sinus infections, kidney disorders, and salivary gland inflammation.
2. Genetics
Even if you are physically fit, you may still suffer from a double chin. You may have tried spending hours at the gym to maintain a healthy body weight, but the results never seem to reflect around the chin area. It’s very likely that you are not dealing with excess body weight. Instead, your genetics could be the suspect.
Do your siblings or parents have a double chin? If you have a family medical history of minimally elastic skin or double chins, you are likely to suffer from the same at some point in your life. This is because genetics determine how fat is distributed around your body. Genetically related double chins are not usually as easy to treat. You should consult with a cosmetic specialist on the best way forward.
3. Aging
Once you reach a certain age, your skin begins to change. If only we could do something to retain young and radiant skin, most of us would line up to get that ‘secret formula’. Sadly, life is not that easy. Aging is an inevitable process that everyone goes through. So, we might as well begin to embrace it.
Wrinkles start to appear while your skin loses its strength and elasticity, which results in sagging skin on different parts of the body. The sagging is particularly prominent around the neck region, which could lead to a double chin. If you are at this stage of your life, stay away from the sun. It is considered one of the common factors responsible for making skin age at a faster and more visible rate.
4. Weight
Obesity is a leading cause for increased risks of diabetes, sleep apnea, and a myriad of cardiovascular diseases. In addition, being obese is one of the most significant double chin causes. The chin tends to be one of the most common locations where excess fat is stored. The more fat you have, the more the skin around your chin and cheeks is weighed down, giving you a heavier appearance.
Obese people have a higher chance of getting double chins than people in good physical shape. Even if they lose weight, there is no guarantee the double chin will also disappear. To understand your ideal weight, use the body mass index parameters (BMI). Generally, any measurement between 25 and 29.9 suggests you are overweight, while a number above 29.9 represents different stages of obesity.
5. Diet
You should always be careful of what you eat and how much you ingest, because an unhealthy diet is one of the most common double chin causes. Fried foods are particularly notorious for causing double chins, among other unsavoury symptoms. To reduce the likelihood of getting double chins, adopt a diet that is low in calories, processed foods, and unhealthy fats.
6. Posture
As simple as it sounds, posture can also significantly weaken the neck and chin muscles. Over time, the surrounding skin may lose its elasticity when the muscles are not adequately utilized. This can lead to the development of a double chin.
For example, if you tend to hold your head in a downward position while working on your laptop, your chin may end up increasing in size. This could cause your neckline to sag, giving the impression of a double chin.
7. Losing Muscles
Although this is not common, losing a lot of muscles may lead to the appearance of a double chin. This is because muscles play a crucial role in supporting the chin. In their absence, the chin weakens and becomes flabby. To avoid this, try strengthening your muscles with regular exercise sessions.