Hapjeong Onda Lifting: Double Chin or Cheek Fat, Which Should You Treat First?

When taking selfies with your front-facing camera, there are moments when you catch your chin folding into a double layer. Tilting the angle up slightly makes it look fine, but now your cheeks appear wide from the front. With both bothering you, it can be perplexing to know where to begin.

We frequently hear this question in our consultation room: "I want to treat both my double chin and my cheeks, but if I had to pick just one first, which should it be?" It is difficult to answer that immediately just by looking at a few photos. This is because even for the same double chin, the underlying causes differ, and the reasons why cheeks look wide vary from person to person.

Today, Beauty Blossom, located right in front of Hapjeong Station, will explain how we distinguish between double chins and cheek fat during facial Onda Lifting consultations, and how we plan the treatment order.

Deciding whether to focus on the double chin or cheek fat first depends not on photo impressions, but on evaluating the pinchable fat thickness and the degree of skin laxity in each area separately.

There are cases where both areas are treated at the same time. However, when deciding the sequence, we consider both "which area bothers you more" and "which area is closer to the type of concern Onda is best suited to address."

Why aren't double chins and cheek fat evaluated by the same standard?

The submental area (under the chin) and the cheeks differ in how fat accumulates and how well the skin retains its structural firmness.

The submental area is where folds appear when you lower your head or pull your chin back. Even with just a little localized fat, the boundary between the chin and neck can appear blurred from the profile view. On the other hand, the cheeks are divided into distinct zones—such as the anterior cheeks, lateral cheeks, and lower corners of the mouth—and the reasons for a wide appearance stem from multiple factors.

Just because cheeks look wide does not mean it is entirely due to fat. Some faces feature well-developed masseter muscles, while others have broader cheekbones and jawlines. Temporary water retention, such as waking up after eating salty food the night before, can also be the culprit.

Onda focuses on targeting fat and skin elasticity. If wide cheeks are caused by muscle mass or bone structure, there are limitations to what Onda alone can achieve. That is why during the initial consultation, we first determine whether the cheek fullness is due to "tissue/fat" or "underlying structure."

What factors determine the treatment sequence during consultation?

We rely far more on the side profile and the actual pinchable thickness than on front-facing photos alone.

First, we observe the submental area with the head in a relaxed position and tilted slightly downward. The assessment shifts depending on whether it only folds when looking down, or if tissue sags roundedly below the jawline even when stationary.

Facial photographs are also taken under standardized conditions. Capturing front views using a clinical skin analysis device makes it straightforward to compare the results at identical angles and lighting on your next visit.

Next, we gently pinch the submental area and cheeks to compare their thickness. If the submental area feels substantially thick while the cheeks are thin, we typically plan to address the double chin first while leaving the cheeks as they are.

Conversely, some faces have minimal submental fat, but heavy tissue below the corners of the mouth sags down and obscures the jawline. In such cases, even if it looks like a double chin, the actual starting point is the lower cheek area. This is a classic example where the perceived concern in photos diverges from the true physical cause.

We also check the difference between smiling and neutral expressions. If cheeks only bulge when smiling, facial expression muscles play a significant role; if sagging is visible even with a neutral face, we focus more on skin laxity and elasticity.

What is the difference between excess fat and loose skin?

If the fat layer is thick, we focus our plan on fat reduction; if skin laxity is the issue, we center the plan around improving elasticity.

In reality, the two are often intermixed. Even individuals in their 20s may have lax submental skin if they have experienced frequent weight fluctuations, while in their 30s and beyond, jawline contours can become less defined due to loss of elasticity even without significant fat.

This is why planning the sequence requires careful consideration. If you focus solely on fat reduction on a submental area with thin, loose skin, the contour may not refine as expected, and skin laxity may actually become more noticeable. A strategy that addresses elasticity simultaneously is essential.

It is helpful if you mention during your consultation whether your weight has fluctuated significantly recently. If your body weight is currently in flux, facial fat distribution is also shifting, making it difficult to establish a definitive plan based solely on present contours.

How does Onda work on the face?

Onda is a non-invasive lifting treatment that delivers thermal energy deep into the skin using specialized high-frequency microwaves.

It utilizes microwave energy called Coolwaves. By delivering energy directly to the dermal layer while safeguarding the outer epidermal skin surface, it simultaneously encourages collagen synthesis and helps reduce localized adipocytes. The procedure involves gliding handpieces smoothly across the skin surface without any incisions or needles.

Two handpieces—3mm and 7mm—are selected based on individual skin type and depth. In delicate, contoured areas like the face, tissue conditions under the chin differ from those in the cheeks; we will explain during the consultation which handpiece will be utilized for each specific area.

Beauty Blossom's official information also highlights double chins, jawline contours, facial fat, and skin elasticity concerns as prime indications for Onda. However, because not all cheek fullness is suitable for Onda, we perform the differential assessment outlined earlier prior to treatment.

What does it feel like during the procedure, and what role does cooling play?

Contact cooling keeps the skin surface comfortably chilled, so the treatment generally feels like a warm, soothing sensation.

Cooling occurs directly at the contact surface where the handpiece touches the skin. Because energy is focused internally while the surface remains cooled, the treatment can proceed while minimizing thermal stress on the outer skin.

Sensations vary slightly depending on the treatment area. Some individuals perceive warmth differently in soft, fleshy regions like the double chin compared to lower cheek areas closer to the jawbone, even with identical settings. If a specific spot feels excessively hot, please let us know immediately without enduring it. We will promptly adjust the gliding speed and technique on the spot.

Treatment duration ranges between 20 to 40 minutes depending on the target site and area, usually taking around 30 minutes. Treating both areas simultaneously will extend the time slightly.

How many sessions are needed, and at what intervals?

The recommended treatment interval is 3 to 4 weeks, with the number of sessions determined according to the target area and tissue condition.

The visible improvements from Onda do not happen all at once immediately post-procedure; rather, they unfold gradually as collagen reorganizes and localized fat reduces over time. Therefore, rather than judging outcomes immediately after a single session, we review the progress together during your follow-up visit. After the procedure, you can review your jawline and cheeks in the mirror as we discuss which areas to focus on next.

If you have concerns about both your double chin and cheeks, one approach is to focus on the more prominent concern during your first session, then adjust the scope for subsequent sessions based on progress. Alternatively, a combined treatment covering both areas from the outset is also available.

You can return to your daily routine immediately after the procedure. On the day of treatment, please avoid alcohol and saunas, and be especially diligent with sunscreen and moisturizers.

Who should consult thoroughly prior to treatment?

Please inform us before booking if you are pregnant, have electronic medical devices implanted, or have metal implants in the treatment area.

Internal medical devices like pacemakers or metal implants in the facial area are critical safety checks required before any energy-based device treatment. Please also let us know if you are currently breastfeeding or taking regular medications.

If you have active inflammation or open wounds in the treatment area, or have recently sustained a severe sunburn, it is best to postpone the schedule until the skin has completely stabilized. If you have recently received fillers, thread lifting, or fat-dissolving injections in the submental or cheek area, please disclose the timing and treatment sites. We will plan adequate intervals for overlapping areas. On the day of your session, we will thoroughly cleanse the face and re-inspect your skin condition before beginning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I treat both my double chin and cheeks on the same day?

Yes, both areas can be treated in the same session. Because the surface area is wider, it takes slightly more time, so we recommend planning a flexible schedule on the day of your visit.

I have minimal submental fat, but it still looks like a double chin. Is Onda still appropriate?

Certain faces appear to have a double chin due to postural habits like looking down frequently, jawbone length, or lax submental skin. If fat tissue is minimal, we first evaluate whether elasticity is the core issue; if Onda is not the right fit, we will inform you transparently.

Will there be redness or residual heat sensation after the procedure?

Mild redness or a temporary warm sensation may remain right after the session. This generally resolves quickly, but if you have an important photo shoot or event planned, please discuss your timeline during the consultation to coordinate the date.

If redness or pain in the treated area persists for several days, or if you notice unusual reactions such as blistering or firm indurations, do not wait—please contact the clinic immediately.

Whether your concern is a double chin visible in selfies or cheeks that look wide from the front, take a moment to gently pinch the tissue in front of a mirror before your consultation. Knowing which area feels thicker and observing how your features change when smiling versus resting will make your treatment planning discussion much smoother.

Beauty Blossom Clinic is located on the 6th and 8th floors of Medione Medical Center, right in front of Exit 3 of Hapjeong Station, at 66 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul. Patient check-in is located on the 6th floor.