If you feel self-conscious about a double chin or softening jawline, you’re not alone. According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery's 2015 Consumer Survey, nearly 67% of respondents reported being bothered by excess fat under the chin. The addition of jowling only increases the concern. The lower face and neck are among the first areas to show signs of aging, weight changes and genetic predisposition, often affecting your silhouette in ways that don't reflect how you feel.
The good news is these concerns are among the most treatable in aesthetic medicine. At Augusta Aesthetics of Cincinnati, Ohio, Erin (FNP-C), Rachel (FNP-C) and Suzanne (FNP-C) offer a full suite of nonsurgical treatments designed to address double chin and jowling with real, noticeable results. Whether you're just beginning to notice changes or have been bothered by your chin and jawline for years, there's a path forward that fits your lifestyle.
What Causes a Double Chin and Jowls?
A double chin, clinically referred to as submental fullness, is the result of fat accumulating directly beneath the chin, between the jaw and neck. Jowls, on the other hand, describe the sagging of skin and soft tissue along the lower cheeks and jawline that occurs as the face loses volume and structural support over time. Both concerns can appear independently or together, and they often share overlapping causes.
Genetics plays a larger role than most people expect in the development of double chin and jowling. Even for highly active people who maintain a healthy weight, genetics affect how and where fat is distributed, sometimes leading to a stubborn double chin. If your parents or grandparents had a fuller chin or softer jawline, your own predisposition is likely higher regardless of your overall body weight.
Age-related changes are the main driver of jowling. As collagen and elastin production begin to slow, the skin gradually loses its ability to stay firm and lifted. The fat pads that give your face its taut and youthful appearance begin to migrate downward, and the ligaments that anchor soft tissue to the bone weaken, creating that telltale sagging along the jawline.
Weight fluctuations can compound both double chin and jowling. Submental fat is notoriously resistant to diet and exercise because fat cells in the chin area respond differently to these conventional methods than fatty tissue in other locations. Many patients who are otherwise at a healthy weight find the fat under their chin simply won't budge.
Hormonal shifts, particularly those associated with menopause and aging, can also change how and where the body stores fat, often redirecting it toward the lower face and neck. Sun exposure compounds the issue over time by breaking down collagen and weakening blood vessel walls, which affects skin quality across the entire face.
The cause behind your concern can determine which treatment path is most effective, which is why every patient at Augusta Aesthetics begins with a personalized consultation.
Advanced Treatment Options for Double Chin and Jowls
Augusta Aesthetics offers several highly effective, nonsurgical treatments for addressing submental fullness and jowling. Depending on your anatomy, concerns and goals, your provider may recommend one or a combination of these approaches.
Kybella® for Double Chin Reduction
Kybella (deoxycholic acid) is the only FDA-approved injectable treatment specifically designed to permanently destroy fat cells beneath the chin. It works by mimicking the action of a naturally occurring molecule in the body that aids in fat breakdown. Once injected beneath the chin, Kybella disrupts fat cell membranes, causing those cells to be absorbed and eliminated by the body over the following weeks.
Once fat cells are destroyed, they cannot regenerate, meaning the results are long-lasting as long as you maintain your weight. Kybella's clinical trials found that many patients experience visible results after two to four treatments, though the exact number varies based on the amount of submental fullness present.
What to expect: Each session involves a series of small injections administered directly to the fatty tissue beneath the chin. There's typically some swelling, bruising and temporary numbness in the treatment area, which subsides over one to two weeks. Sessions are spaced at least four weeks apart, and most patients receive two to six treatments total.
Results: A more defined chin profile and a visually sharper jawline. Because the fat cells are permanently eliminated, Kybella is an excellent long-term investment for those dealing with moderate or more advanced submental fullness.
Radiofrequency (RF) Skin Tightening for Jowls
Radiofrequency energy is one of the most well-studied technologies in nonsurgical aesthetic treatments. It works by delivering controlled heat via radiofrequency energy into the deeper layers of the skin, stimulating collagen production and causing existing collagen fibers to contract, both of which lead to firmer and more youthful-looking skin.
We offer Virtue RF Microneedling at Augusta Aesthetics, an advanced skin rejuvenation approach that combines radiofrequency and microneedling to provide more well-rounded results. As the RF energy heats deeper layers of skin, the fine microneedles improve the skin’s texture.
What to expect: Radiofrequency treatments are performed in-office with little to no downtime. The sensation is typically described as a warm, deep heating feeling and is comfortable for most patients. Session time typically runs between 30 and 45 minutes.
Results: Progressive tightening and lifting that develops over several months as collagen rebuilds. Multiple sessions are often recommended, and results can last one to two years or longer with maintenance treatments.
Botox® for Jaw and Neck Rejuvenation
While Botox is most commonly associated with forehead lines and crow's feet, it has a well-established role in lower face and neck rejuvenation. Two specific Botox applications address the chin and jawline:
Masseter Botox targets the masseter muscles at the sides of the jaw. When these muscles are overdeveloped, they create a wide, squared jawline that can obscure definition. Relaxing them with Botox produces a slimmer, more tapered lower face appearance that complements other treatments beautifully.
The Nefertiti Lift is a technique that uses Botox injections along the jawline and into the bands of the neck (platysma muscle) to relax downward-pulling muscles and create a subtle but visible lifting effect. By releasing the tension that adds to the jowling effect, this approach helps restore a cleaner contour.
What to expect: Botox injections are quick and require no downtime. Results begin to appear within three to seven days and are typically fully visible at two weeks.
Results: A more refined, lifted lower face profile that can significantly reduce the appearance of early jowling and improve jawline definition. Results typically last three to four months, after which maintenance appointments can help you prolong them.
Combination Skin Tightening Approaches
For patients dealing with both submental fat and jowling, a layered treatment strategy tends to deliver the most meaningful improvement. At Augusta Aesthetics, your provider will assess your skin quality, fat distribution and degree of laxity to determine the combination that will work best for you.
Pairing Kybella with RF skin tightening can be highly effective for patients with submental fullness and/or jowling. Kybella removes the fat beneath the chin, while RF addresses the skin laxity that can sometimes become more visible once that volume is reduced. This combination produces a result that would be difficult to achieve with either treatment alone.
Your provider will walk you through what combination makes the most sense based on your anatomy and how your skin is responding, building a plan that progresses at a pace that works for you.
Why Choose Augusta Aesthetics for Double Chin and Jowl Treatments?
Augusta Aesthetics is a provider-led aesthetic clinic, which means every treatment is performed or directly supervised by one of its board-certified nurse practitioners. Erin (FNP-C), who founded Augusta Aesthetics after years of clinical experience in the Cardiac ICU at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, approaches aesthetics with a medical mindset. Every recommendation is rooted in anatomy, evidence and a genuine understanding of what will produce a natural, flattering result.
Rachel (FNP-C) and Suzanne (FNP-C) share that same commitment, bringing their own clinical backgrounds and passion for patient education to every appointment. Our team's approach is always collaborative and patient-centered.
Augusta Aesthetics also offers multiple membership options that come with exclusive pricing and offers on several double chin and jowls treatments, including Botox, Kybella, VirtueRF and more. If you've been looking for a clinic where you can openly discuss something that's been bothering you and feel good about the conversation, that's exactly what you'll find at Augusta Aesthetics.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I'm a candidate for Kybella or RF skin tightening?
The best way to determine whether you’re a candidate is through a one-on-one consultation with one of Augusta Aesthetics' providers. Generally speaking, Kybella is well-suited for patients with moderate to significant fat beneath the chin, while RF skin tightening works best for those dealing with mild to moderate skin laxity along the jaw and neck. Many patients benefit from both. Your provider will evaluate your anatomy and discuss your goals before making any recommendations.
Will I need to take time off work after these treatments?
That depends on what your particular treatment path looks like. Kybella typically causes visible swelling under the chin for one to two weeks following each session, which is important to keep in mind when scheduling. RF treatments and Botox, on the other hand, involve little to no visible downtime, and most patients return to normal activities the same day.
How many sessions will I need to see results?
The number of sessions varies by treatment and by individual. Kybella typically requires two to six sessions spaced at least four weeks apart. RF skin tightening generally involves a series of three to five sessions, with results continuing to develop for several months after the final treatment. Botox for the jaw and neck is typically repeated every three to four months to maintain the effect.
Can a double chin come back after treatment?
Kybella permanently destroys fat cells, so those specific cells cannot return. However, if significant weight gain occurs after treatment, remaining fat cells in the area can still enlarge. Maintaining a stable weight helps preserve your results long-term. RF tightening results are not permanent. The skin will continue to age naturally, but regular maintenance sessions can significantly prolong your results.
Is there anything I can do between appointments to support my results?
Absolutely. Sun protection is the single most impactful daily habit for preserving skin quality and slowing further laxity. A broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher (used daily) goes a long way. Medical-grade skincare products that support collagen production, such as retinoids and peptide-based formulas, can also complement your in-office treatments. Your Augusta Aesthetics provider can recommend products appropriate for your skin type and goals.
Schedule Your Consultation at Augusta Aesthetics
You don't have to keep adjusting camera angles or pulling at your jawline in the mirror. The treatments available at Augusta Aesthetics are designed to address the double chin and jowling that seem to resist all diet, exercise and skincare efforts. Our team is here to help you figure out exactly which path makes sense for you.
Call us at 513-914-6062 or request a consultation online to start the conversation and get the results you’ve been searching for.