Facial surgery2 min read

Neck liposuction and the jawline

Removing fat beneath the chin can sharpen the jawline, when fat is what is blurring it.

Stone Surgical ArtsOriginally published September 8, 2024Updated September 9, 2026

Perspective from Stone Surgical Arts

Submental liposuction removes fat from beneath the chin to improve the definition of the jawline. It works well for the right anatomy and disappoints when the cause of the problem is something else.

A thought to keep

It suits a defined fat deposit under good-quality skin. Laxity and muscle banding need a different answer.

What it does

Through very small incisions, fat is removed from beneath the chin and along the upper neck, allowing the skin to redrape closer to the underlying structures and revealing more of the jawline.

It is often performed alone under local anaesthetic, and sometimes as part of a larger procedure.

When it works well

The best results come where there is a discrete deposit of fat, skin with good elasticity, and a reasonable underlying jaw and chin position.

Younger patients often fit that description, but age is not the criterion. Skin quality is.

When it is the wrong procedure

If the skin is lax, removing the volume beneath it can make the looseness more obvious rather than less. If the platysma muscle has separated into bands, liposuction does not address it.

A recessed chin can also make a neck look fuller than it is, and in that case the useful discussion may be about the chin rather than the fat.

Recovery

A compression garment is usually worn for a period. Swelling and firmness under the chin are normal for several weeks, and the final contour appears gradually.

Ask what result is realistic given your skin, and what the options would be if the contour were uneven or the skin did not redrape as hoped.

Adapted from the Stone Surgical Arts archive and updated for clarity. This article offers general information; an individual consultation is needed for treatment advice.