Coolsculpting, fat dissolving injections and liposuction: What treatment is best for sculpting your jawline?
While diet and exercise are essential to health and wellness, certain areas of the body – such as the chin – can be resistant to change.
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Double chins are one of the most common cosmetic concerns. Both men and women can suffer from heavy jawlines. They make us look prematurely old and overweight.
DR MICHAEL O’GORMAN explains the difference between CoolSculpting, fat dissolving injections and liposuction and what’s involved in these treatments.
01
CoolSculpting
Coolsculpting involves using a vacuum-like applicator to suction targeted areas of fat (scientifically known as cryolipolysis). It deep-freezes your fat cells, which eventually causes them to die and to be naturally expelled via your lymphatic system.
Most patients say the process is quite comfortable. After a couple of months, the damaged fat cells are flushed away by the body.
Here’s what you should consider:
· Costs start at around $600 per treatment
· At least two treatments will be required (depending on the problem area)
· The applicators are a certain size, and for smaller areas – if there is not enough fat to grab onto – the treatment will not be possible
· It will take a few months to see the results.
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02
Fat Dissolving Injections
Fat dissolving injections can be used to significantly reduce pockets of fat under the chin. These injections target the affected area to disrupt and eliminate the fat cells in a controlled way, so your body can safely remove them through the lymphatic system.
When injected subcutaneously (just below the skin and above the muscle), the acid disrupts the membranes of fat cells leading to irreversible cell breakdown (known as adipocytolysis).
The treatment also causes the skin to contract which can give the chin and neck a more streamlined, youthful appearance.
Here’s what you should consider:
· Costs start at around $700 per vial, and 1-2 vials are used per treatment
· At least two treatments are required (depending on the size of the double chin)
· The process produces some localized swelling which is largely resolved within a week after the treatment
· It will take around a month to start seeing results, 3-6 months for completion and results are permanent
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03
Liposuction
When most people think of liposuction, they think of the tummy, hips and thighs, but liposuction can be used to reduce neck and chin fat for people who want a slimmer, more defined chin and jawline.
Unlike fat dissolving injections and CoolSculpting, liposuction is considered an invasive procedure that requires more significant recovery time. Treating the chin can be quite tricky considering the area the fat is located in, so an experienced plastic surgeon should always be consulted.
The process involves a full day in a clinic. A local or general anaesthesia is administered, then several small incisions are made to enable a thin cannula to be inserted. The fatty deposits are then suctioned away.
Here’s what you should consider:
· Costs start at around $3,000 – $5,000
· As the treatment involves surgery, it requires at least a few days of downtime
· Side effects include minor bruising, swelling and temporary numbness
· Expect some discomfort after the treatment and most people require some type of pain relief
· Results are noticeable within one week of treatment.
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Deciding which treatment is right for you
Deciding on the best treatment to address your concerns is a personal decision. My recommendation is to ensure you always seek the advice of an expert cosmetic physician or plastic surgeon, depending on the treatment.
It’s also important to remember that whilst these procedures of re contouring the chin – jawline can last forever (technically speaking), a double chin may return if the patient gains significant weight.