What’s the Best Device for Treating a Double Chin and Jowls?

A softening jawline and fullness under the chin rank among the most common cosmetic concerns we hear about at Krauss Dermatology. Both tend to develop gradually, which makes them easy to overlook until one day the mirror tells a different story. The encouraging news is that non-surgical treatments have become remarkably effective at addressing both issues.

Loose, sagging skin and stubborn fat under the chin look similar but respond to different treatments. Understanding the distinction helps you invest in the approach that will actually move the needle.

Is it Loose Skin, Excess Fat, or Both?

Before choosing a treatment, it helps to identify what you’re working with.

• Loose skin and jowling happen when collagen breaks down, and the structural support beneath the skin weakens. The jawline loses definition, and skin along the lower face begins to sag.
• Submental fat (the double chin) involves a pocket of fat beneath the chin that diet and exercise rarely touch, regardless of overall body weight.
• Many patients deal with a combination of both, which sometimes calls for a layered approach.

A consultation with your provider at Krauss Dermatology clarifies which factor dominates and which treatment, or combination, makes the most sense for your anatomy.

Ultherapy for Loose Skin and Jowls

Ultherapy uses focused ultrasound energy to reach the deep foundational layer beneath the skin, the same structural layer addressed during a surgical facelift. Rather than working on the surface, it delivers precise energy to stimulate collagen production from within.

For the lower face and neck, Ultherapy lifts and tightens the skin along the jawline, reduces jowling, and firms the area under the chin. Most patients complete a single treatment session, and results develop gradually over three to six months as the body produces new collagen. That gradual timeline works in your favor: improvement looks natural rather than sudden.

Ultherapy suits patients who want meaningful lifting without surgery, anesthesia, or recovery time. You can return to your normal routine immediately after treatment.

Ultherapy is best for mild to moderate sagging. If you have significant loose skin or are over 70, a surgical solution may work better for your goals. 

A note on comfort: Ultherapy can produce some discomfort during the procedure. At Krauss Dermatology, we offer Pro-Nox, a patient-controlled nitrous oxide system, to make your experience more comfortable. You inhale it as needed through a handheld device. It works within seconds, and it clears your system quickly so you can drive yourself home right after your appointment.

CoolSculpting for Fat Under the Chin

CoolSculpting takes a completely different approach. Instead of tightening skin, it targets and eliminates fat cells using controlled cooling, a process called cryolipolysis. The fat cells freeze, break down, and get naturally cleared by the body over the weeks that follow.

For the under-chin area, CoolSculpting uses a specialized applicator designed specifically for submental fat. It reduces the fullness that creates the double chin appearance without needles, incisions, or downtime. Most patients see noticeable results after one to two sessions, with full results visible within two to three months.

CoolSculpting does not tighten skin. If laxity is part of the picture, combining CoolSculpting with Ultherapy addresses both the fat and the structural support layer for a more complete result.

Which Treatment Is Right for You?

Here’s a simple way to think about it:

• Jowling and loose skin along the jawline point toward Ultherapy.
• A pocket of fat beneath the chin with reasonable skin elasticity points toward CoolSculpting.
• Both concerns often call for combining the two treatments, either in the same visit or sequentially.

Neither treatment requires surgery, general anesthesia, or significant recovery. Both deliver results that look like a more defined, refreshed version of you.

The team at Krauss Dermatology will assess your anatomy, listen to your goals, and recommend the approach that fits. Schedule a consultation at our Wellesley Hills office to find out which treatment, or combination, makes the most sense for you.

Take the Next Step

If you have further questions about treating a double chin and jowls, we encourage you to schedule a consultation at Krauss Dermatology. Call us at (781) 247-5593 or fill out our online contact form. We look forward to taking care of you.