21 Sep 2023 | by Leonard Miller, MD, FACS, FRCS
The proliferation of “screens” in our society has been a boon for certain aesthetic procedures. If you have any kind of excess skin and/or fat on your neck, the downward tilt of your head as you look at your phone, tablet or laptop just exacerbates the issue. While the neck is a problem area for many of our Boston area patients, oftentimes, the issue is actually one of the jawline. This is the juncture where the top of the neck and the bottom of the chin meet. A clean, delineated transition in this area is associated with a more youthful, vital and confident look. Some people are simply genetically inclined to develop an excess of fat under their chin. For others, a double chin can be the result of weight gain and/or age.
There are some effective non-surgical procedures to address a double chin. But one of the best ways to get a crisp, defined jawline is with mini-liposuction either on its own or in combination with a minimally invasive radiofrequency (RF) procedure such as Renuvion® or ThermiTight®.
What is Mini-Liposuction?
At Boston Center for Plastic Surgery, we pride ourselves on staying at the forefront of innovation. We listen closely to our patients complaints so we recognized early that there was a need for a procedure that could effectively address the upper neck/jawline that was not a surgical neck lift. Our unique mini-liposuction procedure is perfect for excess fat in this specific area. Generally, liposuction is performed using a machine that creates vacuum like suction. However, this is too strong for such a small area of your body. This is why in our mini-liposuction procedure, we use a cannula, which is a hollow metal tube, and a syringe to eliminate the fat. This combination creates enough suction to remove the fat without damaging your tissues and/or creating an unsightly depression. The end result is a crisp, defined jawline. This, in turn, will also make your neck appear longer, leaner and more youthful.
See more patients »Ideal Candidate for Mini-Liposuction to the Jawline
Mini-liposuction is an ideal for procedure for any patient in good overall health who is bothered by:
- Excess pockets of fat under the chin
- Double chin
- Lack of definition at the chin/neck juncture
Great for both men and women, mini-liposuction to the jawline is a particularly nice option for our male patients. One of the hallmarks of a masculine face is a crisp, clean jawline. This harkens back to the days of the “Marlboro Man”. Many men also still wear collared shirts and neckties. If there is an excess of fat under their chin, it may spill over the top of the shirt. This is not only unsightly, but can also be quite aging. Furthermore, most men do not want to put up with the recovery time associated with a surgical neck lift despite the obvious benefits. But with mini-liposuction, the recovery time is only 1-2 days.
Mini-Liposuction to the Jawline Recovery
The mini-liposuction to the jawline procedure is performed in the office under local anesthesia. During your procedure, one of our Board-Certified doctors will make a series of 1-2mm incisions under your chin through which we will remove your excess fat. These incisions are so small that they typically don’t require stitches. A compression garment or chin strap will need to be worn for 1-2 days following your procedure. This will not only help to reduce swelling, but also ensures the best possible aesthetic result. Most patients return to their normal activities once the compression garment is removed although we do request that you refrain from vigorous exercise for at least 2-3 weeks in order to give your body the proper time to fully heal. If you are prone to bruising, you may have discoloration in the area for 7-10 days, but this can easily be camouflaged with makeup.
See more patients »Minimally Invasive Radiofrequency (RF) Procedures for Loose Skin
While mini-liposuction can be a fantastic stand-alone procedure, we will often combine it with a minimal invasive radiofreuquency (RF) procedure such as:
Both of these procedures are effective for tightening loose skin without the need for big incisions. If the skin and tissues on your neck are weak thanks to age or excessive stretching due to weight gain/loss, they may not have enough elasticity to “bounce back” into place once the excess fat is removed. RF energy works by gently heating the tissue in the treatment area, causing it to tighten and “lift” by encouraging your body to produce more collage and elastin, two of the fundamental building blocks of youthful looking skin. The 1-2 punch of mini-liposuction and an RF procedure can truly produce a neck lift like result without the need for stitches or a lengthy recovery.
To find out more about mini-liposuction for the jawline, Renuvion®, ThermiTight® or any surgical or non-surgical procedure with Dr. Leonard Miller at Boston Center for Plastic Surgery, check out our website or call (617) 735- 8735 to schedule a consultation.
