A double chin, medically known as submental fullness, is a common cosmetic concern. Many anecdotal home remedies exist, including the notion that constant chewing can slim the area. This belief suggests that the repetitive motion of chewing gum acts as a mini-workout, sculpting the jawline and reducing the appearance of a second chin. However, scientific evidence shows a different story regarding how the body stores fat and how the jaw and neck anatomy function.
What Exactly Causes a Double Chin
A double chin is caused by a combination of factors leading to tissue accumulation beneath the lower jaw. The primary cause is the deposit of subcutaneous fat, known as submental fat, which creates the visible bulge. This fat is often resistant to general weight loss and can affect people who are otherwise at a healthy body weight.
Skin laxity, the natural loss of collagen and elastin that occurs with age, is another significant contributor. As the skin loses firmness, it begins to sag, making underlying fat deposits more pronounced. Genetic predisposition also plays a role in how the body distributes fat. Furthermore, the underlying skeletal structure, such as a receding chin, can make the submental area appear fuller.
How Chewing Affects Facial Muscles
Chewing involves the action of several muscles, primarily the masseter and temporalis muscles. The masseter is the main chewing muscle, located on the side of the jaw. Repetitive chewing, especially of gum, can lead to muscle hypertrophy, which is the enlargement of these specific muscles.
This muscle growth can result in a wider, more angular appearance of the lower face near the jaw angle. However, the masseter and temporalis muscles are located laterally, far from the central fat pad beneath the chin. The act of chewing works these lateral jaw muscles but does not directly engage the muscles supporting the submental fat pocket.
Why Chewing Gum Cannot Burn Submental Fat
The idea that chewing gum can burn fat specifically under the chin relies on the misconception of “spot reduction.” It is not possible to selectively burn fat from one isolated area of the body through targeted exercise. Fat loss is a systemic process that occurs throughout the entire body when a person maintains a caloric deficit over time.
Chewing gum burns only a negligible amount of calories, which is too small to impact overall body fat stores. The fat beneath the chin is a deep, stored energy reserve. Exercising the surface-level jaw muscles does not trigger the body to metabolize this fat for fuel. Excessive gum chewing may also lead to jaw issues like temporomandibular joint (TMJ) inflammation or masseter muscle enlargement.
Scientifically Proven Ways to Reduce the Chin
For those seeking to reduce submental fullness, the most effective methods involve systemic fat loss or targeted cosmetic treatments. If the double chin is caused by overall weight gain, adopting a balanced diet and regular full-body exercise routine is the most sustainable approach. Reducing overall body fat through a caloric deficit is the only non-surgical way to naturally shrink the submental fat pocket.
When lifestyle changes are insufficient, targeted medical procedures offer more direct solutions. Non-surgical options include injectable treatments like deoxycholic acid, which breaks down fat cells under the chin for natural elimination. Other non-invasive treatments include cryolipolysis, which uses controlled cooling to freeze and eliminate fat cells, and radiofrequency devices that tighten the skin and melt fat. For individuals with significant fat or skin laxity, surgical options like neck liposuction or a neck lift provide the most dramatic and permanent contouring results.