During a diet, the body loses fat and sometimes muscle mass, but the skin does not retract quickly enough. This leads to loose and sagging skin, often noticeable in areas like the double chin, jawline, and cheeks.

To improve sagging skin from weight loss in a short period, you can use high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). This technology creates precise thermal coagulation points under the skin, instantly contracting collagen fibers and stimulating new collagen production, resulting in firmer skin and improved lifting.

A doctor uses HIFU technology to eliminate a double chin and refine the jawline for a woman. *Illustration: Tam Anh General Hospital*

If performed one to two weeks before Tet, you may notice a subtle facial contouring effect due to initial collagen contraction, making the skin fit more snugly on the face. The most significant results typically appear after one month and peak after approximately three months, when collagen regeneration is at its maximum, leading to reduced sagging, improved double chin, and lasting skin firming. With this method, recovery time is minimal; the skin experiences little redness, no peeling, and you can still apply makeup and perform skincare almost normally, making it suitable for the period leading up to Tet.

In some cases, doctors may consider injecting a small amount of dermal filler to support sagging skin areas. This method is suitable for faces with mild tissue volume loss, moderate sagging, and not excessive cheek fat. Fillers are injected into supportive areas such as the cheekbones or jaw angle and posterior cheeks, creating an immediate tightening effect with natural results. Recovery time is fast, with only slight tenderness for one to two days.

Regardless of the chosen method, you should consult a dermatologist-aesthetician for a skin assessment and evaluation of sagging severity to ensure safe intervention.

Master of Science, Doctor Vu Thi Thuy Trang

Department of Dermatology - Aesthetic Dermatology

Tam Anh General Hospital, TP HCM