Double chin

File:Lightmatter buddhabelly.jpg

The Buddhist monk, Hotei. The statue shows a double chin.

A double chin is a phenomenon caused by a layer of subcutaneous fat around the neck that sags down and creates a wrinkle, making the owner appear to have a second chin. It is most common on people who are elderly or obese. A person of average weight can bear a double chin as well, depending on their bone structure and amount of loose skin. It is more visible when the bottom jaw is lowered or the head is tilted down.

Treatment

Double chins may be reduced in obese and overweight people by losing weight, but complete removal typically requires surgery.

A cosmetic surgeon can remove the fat pad under the chin and shorten the muscles under the jaw to remove the double chin. This procedure involves a small horizontal cut under the chin to remove the fat beneath the skin. Afterwards, a vertical incision between the layers of the neck and jaw muscle is made. The edges are sewn together to shorten, and therefore tighten, the muscle layer.

Compared to some forms of cosmetic surgery, it is a relatively painless and moderately priced procedure; it requires two small bandages to hide. Bruising is usually minimal, and usually disappears within about ten days.

Gallery

• 
  A realistic bust of a Roman woman.
• Winston Churchill around 1941.
  Winston Churchill around 1941.
• 
  Roman statuette of a fat woman.
• 
  Caricature of a fat mineowner.

External links

• Simple exercise to get rid of double chin