The double chin is a common source of aesthetic discomfort, both in men and in women. It alters the definition of the facial oval, modifies the profile, and sometimes gives the illusion of a sagging or heavy face, even in young or thin people. In this context, correction requests are increasingly directed toward non-surgical solutions, among which jawline contouring by injection of hyaluronic acid holds a prominent place. But does this technique really reduce, or even eliminate, the appearance of the double chin ? The answer, as often in medicine, depends on a rigorous analysis of the cause, the underlying anatomy, and the therapeutic plan defined with the patient.
Before considering treatment, it is essential to understand that the double chin is not a diagnosis in itself, but a clinical presentation of variable origin. It may result from submental fat excess, skin laxity, bone deficiency (retrognathia), loss of muscle tone, or lack of mandibular definition. In some cases, these factors are isolated; in others, they coexist and amplify each other.
A serious medical approach relies on a complete morphological analysis. This makes it possible to distinguish the portion of the double chin related to excess tissue (fat or skin laxity) from that resulting from a lack of bony structure. It is precisely in this second case that jawline contouring proves particularly useful.
Jawline contouring consists of restructuring the mandibular line using a dense hyaluronic acid, injected in depth, often in contact with the bone. The objective is to recreate a clear and continuous mandibular framework, from the angle of the jaw to the chin. This treatment improves the definition of the lower face, restores the jawline, and creates a visual separation between the face and the neck.
In young patients, who do not present either fatty overload or significant skin laxity, but simply a lack of mandibular projection, the jawline sometimes makes it possible to significantly reduce the appearance of the double chin. The treatment improves local tissue tension and gives the neck a sharper, more structured appearance. It does not “remove” the fat, but modifies its visual perception by highlighting the angles and redefining the volumes.
Jawline contouring reaches its limits when the double chin is mainly due to localized fat overload or significant skin laxity.
In these situations, injecting hyaluronic acid along the jawline may, in the absence of prior treatment of the underlying fat, temporarily accentuate the volume effect instead of reducing it.
It is important to remember that hyaluronic acid has no lipolytic effect : it does not remove fat, but acts only by restoring missing or altered bone volumes. It is therefore a structuring procedure, not a reduction technique.
From an anatomical and therapeutic point of view, these two approaches are fundamentally different.
Therefore, in patients whose double chin is mainly related to excess fat or skin laxity, jawline contouring should not be considered a first-line treatment, but rather as a possible complement to more suitable techniques : submental cryolipolysis, targeted radiofrequency, or surgical lifting, depending on the case.
In some well-selected cases — for example, in patients with a subtle bone structure, firm skin, and a small submental bulge — the injection of hyaluronic acid at the mandibular angle can provide an effective camouflage effect.
By reshaping the mandibular line, it visually projects the mandible forward, softens the transition between the chin and the neck, and reduces the aesthetic impact of the double chin, without actually addressing its anatomical cause.
This optical mechanism, often striking in profile or photographs, relies on three essential elements : mastery of the technical procedure, the choice of product, and the precision of the injection plane.
Nevertheless, it remains essential to clearly explain to the patient that this is a visual, temporary, and purely structural effect, and not a treatment targeting fat or skin excess.
The whole challenge of the treatment lies in a rigorous medical analysis of the double chin.
It is not a matter of proposing a default correction, but of identifying the exact origin of the aesthetic imbalance : is it related to a bone deficit, to excess fat, to skin laxity, or even to muscular hyperactivity ?
Jawline contouring will only be truly effective if a lack of structure is present. This is why, during the consultation, the physician generally performs a dynamic palpation, an observation under tangential light, and, if necessary, a standardized profile photograph, in order to assess precisely whether this technique represents a relevant, sufficient, or partial response.
This precision in the indication is essential : it determines the quality of the result, ensures patient satisfaction, and preserves the credibility of the medical procedure.
Jawline contouring should not be considered a universal solution for rejuvenating the lower face, but rather a precise response, reserved for clearly defined indications.
Despite the growing interest in jawline contouring, it is essential to remember that this technique is not suitable in all cases of double chin. Its effectiveness relies on one fundamental condition : the perceived defect must be linked to a lack of mandibular definition. When this is not the case, injecting hyaluronic acid along the jawline provides no improvement, and may even worsen the initial problem.
Jawline contouring is contraindicated or ineffective in several situations :
In these contexts, jawline contouring should never be offered as a first-line solution.
Jawline contouring can be combined with the treatment of a double chin. In many cases, it is precisely the rational combination of techniques that allows for an optimal aesthetic result.
Jawline contouring does not directly treat the double chin, but it improves its visual perception by redefining the lines and projecting the angles. When combined with a reduction of the submental volume, the final result can be significantly optimized.
Among the most common combinations are :
Jawline et cryolipolyse du double menton : associer le jawline contouring à une cryolipolyse ciblée de la région sous-mentonnière constitue une approche particulièrement pertinente lorsque le double menton est lié à un excès adipeux modéré. La cryolipolyse, en détruisant de façon sélective les adipocytes grâce au froid contrôlé, induit une diminution progressive du volume graisseux, sans chirurgie ni éviction sociale. À partir de la sixième à la huitième semaine suivant la séance, la résorption adipeuse rend l’anatomie sous-jacente plus lisible et mieux structurée, ce qui facilite une injection d’acide hyaluronique précise et adaptée.
In this logic, the jawline is integrated into a global therapeutic strategy, focused on volume correction, tissue tightening, and restoration of the lower third of the face.
Article written by Dr Romano Valeria
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