Jaw and lower face

Double chin: where it comes from and how to reduce it

A double chin is a fold under the jaw, made of fat, loose skin, or both. Excess weight isn't the only cause: genetics, head posture, and chin shape all matter a lot. Once you find your cause, you know which fix will work for you.

Updated November 7, 2026 · By Julien Rayes · Version française

What causes a double chin

• Fat under the chin: it usually follows overall body fat, but some people store more there because of genetics.
• Posture: a head pushed forward over a screen creases the skin under the chin, even in slim people.
• A receding chin or jaw: the bone gives the skin less support, so the area under the chin looks fuller.
• Age: skin loses firmness and tissue sags.
• Salt and alcohol: they make your face puff up from one day to the next.

What really works

• Lose overall body fat. You can't pick where it comes off, but face fat shrinks along with body fat. 🥗
• Fix your posture: chin tucked, head lined up over your shoulders. You see the effect right away, in photos and in real life. 📏
• Cut back on salt and alcohol, and sleep well: less puffiness in the morning.
• For men, a short, clean beard that follows the underside of the jaw hides the fold and draws a line. 🧔

Exercises and mewing: what we know

Neck and tongue exercises are popular. They may improve muscle tone under the chin and your posture, but they don't burn fat in that one spot. There's no solid evidence that mewing changes bone in adults. Treat them as a small extra.

Options to discuss with a doctor

🩺 When fat under the chin stays despite weight loss, there are non-surgical procedures: deoxycholic acid injections (the product sold as Kybella in the US), cryolipolysis, or radiofrequency to tighten the skin. These are medical procedures: discuss them with a qualified doctor, who will check whether they suit you, the risks, and the realistic result. GlowUpTogether never recommends surgery.

Tricks that change how it looks

• In photos: camera slightly above eye level, chin pushed forward, then lowered a little.
• A haircut with length below the chin and volume on top.
• An open collar rather than a tight turtleneck.

Find your cause

The GlowUpTogether scan analyzes your profile photo: neck-to-jaw angle, chin projection, lower third of the face. Your plan then ranks actions by the gain expected in your case.

Frequently asked questions

Why do I have a double chin when I'm slim?

Most often because of posture (head forward), a receding chin, or a genetic tendency to store fat there. Posture can be fixed fast; the rest depends on your face structure and is worth discussing with a doctor.

How long does it take to lose a double chin?

If it comes from fat, steady weight loss usually shows first changes in the face after 6 to 10 weeks. Posture changes how you look right away.

Do exercises make a double chin go away?

Not on their own: no exercise burns fat in one spot. They help posture and neck tone, alongside fat loss.

Can a double chin come back?

Yes, if it came from fat and your weight goes back up. Posture and skin firmness also change with age.