Why Does Your Double Chin Stay Even After Losing Weight?
The reason your Double Chin won't go away even with weight loss may be your submandibular gland. We break down the relationship between the submandibular gland and Double Chin — and how to address it.
Why Does Your Double Chin Stay Even After Losing Weight?
💡 Check This Before You Read On
Q. Isn't a Double Chin just extra fat?
A. Not always. In addition to fat, the submandibular gland sits on the lateral side beneath the chin — and the gland itself can create volume that makes the area look like a Double Chin.
Q. Why does my Double Chin stay the same even after dieting?
A. Because even as fat decreases, glandular tissue does not shrink.
"The relationship between the submandibular gland and Double Chin: In severe cases of Double Chin, the submandibular gland may be to blame.
Since the submandibular gland sits on the lateral side, protrusion in that area can make the Double Chin appear significantly worse."
— Dr. Wi Young-jin (Seoul Beautystone Clinic)
The Real Cause of a Double Chin — Fat Isn't the Whole Story
Many people have diligently worked to lose weight,
only to find that the area under their chin hasn't budged at all.
This is more common than you might think.
And it's not a matter of willpower.
In many cases, it's a structural issue.
There are three main contributors to volume beneath the chin:
fat, muscle (the digastric and mylohyoid muscles), and the submandibular gland.
The submandibular gland — known medically as the "submandibular gland" —
is one of the salivary glands responsible for producing saliva.
Simply put, it's a glandular tissue that secretes saliva.
But here's the key point you need to understand.
This gland sits precisely on the "lateral (outer) side" of the chin.
Not in the center —
it sits on both sides, near the inner edge of the jawbone.
So what happens?
When this area protrudes,
the underside of the chin appears
much wider and more saggy when viewed from the front.
It makes the Double Chin look far more pronounced.
It's not fat — but it looks like fat,
and the reason it won't go away no matter what you try
lies in this very structure.
👨⚕️ Key Insight from Dr. Wi Young-jin:
When a Double Chin appears severe,
the cause may lie in the size and position of the submandibular gland — not just fat.
Because the submandibular gland sits laterally, protrusion in that area
causes the side profile to bulge outward, making the Double Chin far more noticeable.
Since dieting cannot reduce glandular tissue,
the first step is identifying whether the root cause of your Double Chin is fat or the gland itself.
Is Your Double Chin Caused by Fat or the Submandibular Gland?
Honestly,
these two can be difficult to tell apart with the naked eye.
In many cases, both are present simultaneously.
Here's how I typically assess this in the clinic:
When you press gently under the chin with your fingers,
if it feels soft and squishy, fat is likely the primary component.
If you feel a firm, defined mass,
that's likely the submandibular gland tissue.
Of course, a precise diagnosis requires a proper consultation,
but it doesn't hurt to do a quick self-check at home.
What makes this tricky is that
some patients have undergone liposuction or fat-dissolving injections
and only seen partial results.
If the fat was reduced but the lateral bulge remained,
it's likely because submandibular gland volume was still present.
We've had patients who had procedures done elsewhere multiple times without success,
only to finally achieve satisfying results after we properly identified the root cause here at our clinic.
The cause was simply different from what had been assumed.
Category | Fat-Type Double Chin | Submandibular Gland-Type Double Chin |
|---|---|---|
Texture | Soft and easily pinched | Firm, defined mass |
Location | Distributed across the entire central underside | Bilateral, symmetrically on lateral sides |
Response to Dieting | Tends to reduce | Little to no change |
Response to Fat-Dissolving Injections | Effective | Limited effectiveness |
Approach | Fat-dissolving injections, liposuction | Botox (submandibular gland reduction), surgical approach |
If the Submandibular Gland Is the Cause, What Are Your Options?
This is a common misconception —
a large submandibular gland does not automatically mean you need surgery.
When Botox is injected directly into the submandibular gland,
the glandular tissue temporarily atrophies,
resulting in a noticeable reduction in volume.
The mechanism works by partially suppressing saliva production.
That said, it's not without its considerations.
A small number of patients may experience dry mouth as saliva production decreases,
and since the gland gradually returns to its original size,
the results are not permanent —
periodic repeat injections are necessary to maintain the effect.
However, because it remains one of the most practical non-surgical options
for reducing volume in this area,
it continues to be a valid choice for patients with enlarged gland tissue
who have not responded to other approaches.
My approach varies by case, but generally I follow this process:
I first identify whether fat or the gland is the primary cause,
and if fat is also present, I combine fat-dissolving treatment accordingly.
Having both contributing factors at the same time is actually more common than you'd expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can an enlarged submandibular gland cause health problems?
A. Having a larger submandibular gland
does not in itself cause health problems.
In most cases, the gland continues to function normally.
However, if you suddenly experience Swelling on just one side or notice Pain,
there may be a possibility of salivary gland stones or inflammation —
in which case, we recommend consulting an oral surgeon or ENT specialist.
It's important to distinguish between aesthetic concerns and medical conditions.
Q2. Will Botox in the submandibular gland affect my ability to chew?
A. Chewing function is related to the masseter muscle (the chewing muscle),
whereas submandibular gland Botox targets the salivary gland —
so it does not affect your ability to chew.
That said, as mentioned earlier,
some patients do occasionally experience dry mouth,
so it's best to discuss this thoroughly with your doctor before proceeding.
Q3. How can I tell whether my Double Chin is caused by the submandibular gland?
A. As mentioned earlier,
try pressing gently on the lateral underside of your chin with your fingers.
If you feel a firm, defined mass,
there's a possibility it's glandular tissue.
A confirmed assessment can be made during a consultation through ultrasound or palpation.
Because the treatment approach differs depending on whether the cause is fat or gland,
accurately identifying the root cause is an essential first step.
Feel free to reach out to us anytime via KakaoTalk or phone with any questions.
This has been Dr. Wi Young-jin.
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