Neck fat might be something that you may feel like a flaw. It is quite normal to see a bit of excess skin sagging or some fat under your chin. Especially as you age it is quite normal to see neck fat. But then again we live in the world of social media where everyone looks picture-perfect in their photos. Normally, we may feel the need to compare those pictures to our real faces where there are no filters to hide the so-called flaws. We may tend to nitpick on what we feel could be a bit more pretty feature on our face. Staring at your selfies for a few more seconds may even trigger something in us to highlight the flawed part and feel bad.
Neck Fat is totally normal. However, if you feel like they are something that bothers you too much or makes you feel bad or insecure about yourself then there are options to reduce or get rid of them. In this article, we will see the reasons for neck fat and will explore a few options on how to reduce them. So without further delays let us get right into it.
What Causes Neck Fat?
Neck fat is basically excess fat deposits near your chin and neck area. It is also known by the name submental fat or by its more mainstream name “double chin” There are many reasons why some get this double chin. The first one is weight gain. If you have gained weight, then it is not abnormal to see it in your neck as excess weight gain can lead to storage of fat in various areas like the neck or under your chin.
Another common reason is aging. As one ages the elasticity of the skin decreases and that can lead to a bit of sagging and fat accumulation. Another unavoidable aspect is genetics. Genetics plays a crucial role in determining how your body stores fat. It might be natural for some people to have a little bit of fat under their chin even if they are on the leaner side.
Your postures also play a big role. If you are slouching all the time or frequently tilting your head downward to look at your phone it can put strain on your neck muscles and lead to neck fat accumulation over time. Other lifestyle factors include smoking and alcohol consumption. Not only do these habits affect your overall health they can also lead to fat accumulating in your neck.
How To Identify Whether You Have Excess Neck Fat?
Well, for starters you can perform a visual inspection by standing in front of a mirror and tilt or move your head around back and forth. If there is a noticeable layer of fat or sagging under the chin it might be a sign of excess neck fat.
Observe your neck from different angles and see how it looks in your mirror. Or you can go get a measuring tape and compare your measurements with the normal standards for a person of your age and gender.
You can look up the data online and see if it is within the range. Also, observe how your clothes fit around your neck. If it is tight in the region that may indicate excess neck fat.
Tips To Lose Neck Fat
Having some amount of fat in your neck is totally normal. But if you feel like you want to reduce or get rid of them you may see the options down below and choose the ones that best fit you.
➡ Exercises
Let’s go through some of the popular exercises that help with reducing neck fat.
- Neck rotations: Rotate your head slowly in a circular motion. Perform the exercise in both clockwise and anticlockwise directions. Do 10 to 15 repetitions.
- Chin tucks: Bring your head forward till your chin can hit your chest. Perform 10 to 15 repetitions.
- Shoulder rolls: Roll your shoulder in a circular motion. Perform in both forward and backward directions. You can also do shoulder shrugs which is also quite effective.
- Neck lift: Lie on your back and try moving your head upward. Try holding the pose for 5 seconds and feel the stretch. Slowly bring your head down.
➡ Surgical options
There are certain invasive procedures if you are looking for fast results.
- Neck Liposuction: A cosmetic surgeon will be making incisions beneath the chin or behind the ear where a cannula is inserted and excess fat is sucked out. This procedure is performed with local anesthesia and you will be asked to wear a supportive chin strap. The swelling and bruising will take up to 10 to 15 days to subside. The preferred patients for this procedure are younger individuals who have good skin elasticity.
- Platysmaplasty: In this neck lift surgery the surgeon will make incisions behind the ears and sometimes under the chin and remove the excess fat. Plus they will also tighten the platysma muscles which can sag with age or weight loss. The results of this procedure are long-lasting but will age with the patients. The surgeon will provide specific aftercare instructions which are to be followed strictly for optimal healing.
➡ Non-surgical methods
There are some nonsurgical methods to deal with neck fat. Let us take a look at some of the popular ones.
- Kybella injections: The medical practitioner will inject under your chin multiple times with a few weeks gap in between the dose. These injections are FDA-approved and their main ingredient deoxycholic acid will disintegrate fat cells and absorb them. The results are often permanent due to the active ingredients destroying fat cells.
- Coolsculpting: In this process, fat cells are cooled to a state where they naturally die off. This special device is applied to the neck area causing the death of fat cells in the area without harming any surrounding tissues.
➡ Massages and creams
There are several neck-firming creams available in the market. You can discuss it with the dermatologist and try one of those. Usually, creams with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptide, or retinol are advised. Massaging the area may help in improving circulation and stimulating the production of collagen supporting tighter skin.
➡ Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle changes can also aid in reducing neck fat. Consuming a healthier diet comprising lean protein, whole grains, and lots of fruits and veggies decreases the consumption of processed food. Hydration is essential for improving and maintaining skin elasticity so drink plenty of water throughout the day. Exercise is also without a doubt crucial in maintaining optimal fat in your body. So plan a solid workout routine with cardio and strength training. Look out for bad postures too, as they may aid in sagging of the skin and more weight gain in the neck area.
How To Tighten Neck Fat Quickly?
Quick solutions might probably be invasive procedures like neck liposuction or neck lift surgery. But other than that you will have to make overall improvements in your life like incorporating lifestyle changes and performing exercises that target the area.
But that might take time and consistency. So if you are opting for quick options consult a good dermatologist and discuss the options that are suitable for you. Or else be consistent with the lifestyle changes and with time you may see improvements.
Conclusion
Neck fat is a totally normal thing. It is not a flaw or something that has to be corrected. It is rather a very humane thing. However, we live in a world where insecurities are pumped at us via social media and unrealistic beauty standards.
So it is quite normal and there is nothing to be insecure about. Even if that remains the case, if you feel like it is pulling you back from feeling confident then you may go for options to get rid of them. Discuss the plans with your doctor and opt for methods that fit you.
FAQs
If you feel like you have excess fat in your neck you can try doing exercises that are targeted for the specific area. There are surgical and nonsurgical alternatives as well. Creams, masks, and massages may also work well for you.
There are several reasons for this to happen. Some of them are genetics, aging, hormonal balance, poor posture, and muscle imbalances.
Chewing gum might not be a standalone solution but it may slightly aid in the process of reducing the appearance of double chin.
Yes, Liposuction does help with decreasing your neck fat and giving you that contoured look with a defined jawline.
If you are looking forward to losing neck fat naturally try doing some neck exercise and make some lifestyle changes like following a good diet, working out, and staying well hydrated.
That time is not predictable. Various aspects may affect how long it takes to lose your neck fat. Body composition, food habits, workout routine, skincare overall lifestyle changes, etc may affect the time taken to see solid results.
