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Signature Service · Dr. Daniel Gallaga

Laser Chin Lipo.

A precision laser-assisted submental contouring procedure refined over thousands of cases. Fat removal and skin tightening in a single session — no general anesthesia, no hospital stay.

45min
Procedure time
3–5d
Social downtime
Local
Anesthesia only
1
Small incision
No
General anesthesia
No
Hospital stay
Fat + skin tightening
6mo
Remote follow-up
The technique

Submental laser lipolysis with skin tightening.

Traditional liposuction removes fat. Endolift laser does both — it emulsifies fat and simultaneously triggers collagen contraction through thermal energy. The result is a sharper jawline and tighter skin, not just a smaller chin.

Why laser over traditional lipo alone? The laser fiber delivers heat that stimulates fibroblasts — the cells responsible for collagen production. This causes the skin to contract and tighten as it heals, a benefit traditional cold cannulas cannot replicate.
01

Traditional Liposuction

A fine cannula mechanically removes fat from beneath the skin via a single small incision under the chin. Immediate reduction in submental volume.

02

Endolift Laser (Core)

A thin laser fiber is inserted under the skin. It liquefies remaining fat AND contracts the skin through collagen stimulation — ideal for mild to moderate laxity.

03

Adjunct External Laser

Applied to the skin surface for additional tightening and collagen remodeling. Enhances the result beyond what internal delivery achieves alone.

Ideal candidates

Who benefits most.

  • Submental fullness that persists despite diet and exercise
  • Mild to moderate skin laxity under the chin or along the jawline
  • Patients who want results without general anesthesia or a hospital stay
  • Those seeking a defined jawline as a standalone procedure or as part of a facelift
  • US patients looking for a same-day procedure with a short recovery window
  • Individuals in good general health with no active infections or skin conditions in the area

This procedure is not recommended for patients with severe skin laxity (a facelift with necklift addresses this better), active skin infections, blood clotting disorders, or those on certain medications — including Ozempic, which must be stopped 30 days before.

Dr. Gallaga assesses candidacy during your complimentary virtual consultation. He will tell you honestly if a different procedure would serve you better.

Can it be combined? Yes. Laser chin lipo is frequently performed during the same session as a deep plane facelift — it heals during the same downtime window, saving you a second trip.
Step by step

The procedure, from arrival to home.

The entire process — from walking in to walking out — typically takes 2–3 hours. The procedure itself is 45 minutes.

01

Arrival & prep

Arrive with clean, makeup-free skin on the chin and neck. No jewelry. A front-opening top for easy access. Pre-procedure photos are taken by Dr. Gallaga's team.

02

Local anesthesia

Tumescent local anesthesia is administered to the submental area. You remain fully awake and comfortable throughout — no sedation required.

03

Liposuction + laser

A single small incision is made under the chin. The cannula removes fat, followed by the laser fiber for thermal skin tightening. External laser is applied to the surface as needed.

04

Garment & discharge

A chin compression garment is fitted immediately after. Most patients are discharged within 30–60 minutes of procedure completion. No overnight stay required.

05

Recovery & follow-up

Wear the chin strap 24/7 for 3–4 weeks (removing only to shower). Dr. Gallaga remains your point of contact for 6 months post-procedure via WhatsApp.

Recovery

What to expect, day by day.

Recovery is manageable and predictable. Most patients are back to desk work within 2–3 days and socially confident by day 5.

Day 1–2

Immediate post-op

Swelling, bruising, and tightness are normal. Keep head elevated 30–45° (including while sleeping). Apply cold compresses gently — not directly on skin. Rest at home.

Day 2–3

First shower

You may shower 24–48 hours post-procedure. Avoid direct water pressure on the chin area. Gently reapply compression garment after drying.

Day 3–5

Social downtime window

Bruising begins to fade. Most patients resume light work and low-key social activities. The chin strap continues 24/7 beneath clothing.

Week 2–3

Visible improvement

Swelling resolves significantly. Jawline definition becomes apparent. Numbness or tingling in the area is normal and temporary — resolves over weeks to months.

Week 3–4

Garment transition

Compression garment worn for 3–4 weeks total. After week 4, nighttime-only wear begins (as directed). Collagen remodeling continues actively.

Month 3–6

Final result

Skin continues tightening as collagen matures. The full sculpting effect — and the skin contraction unique to laser — is visible by 3–6 months.

Recovery checklist

  • Wear chin compression garment 24/7 for 3–4 weeks (remove only to shower)
  • Sleep with head elevated 30–45 degrees for the first week
  • Cold compresses gently applied around chin for first 48 hours
  • No intense physical exercise for 2 weeks
  • Avoid direct sun on the area for 4 weeks; SPF 50+ after that
  • For laser: avoid saunas, steam rooms, and heat sources for 4 weeks
  • Stay hydrated; avoid sodium-heavy foods to reduce swelling

What's normal

  • Numbness, tingling, or a "tight" sensation (resolves in weeks to months)
  • Skin may feel warm, firm, or slightly uneven — this is collagen remodeling
  • Mild bruising and swelling in the first week
  • Temporary asymmetry as swelling resolves unevenly
Questions during recovery? Dr. Gallaga personally responds via WhatsApp throughout your recovery period. He remains your point of contact for 6 months post-procedure.
Before your procedure

How to prepare.

What to do

  • Prepare your chin compression garment in advance (team specifies model)
  • Arrive with clean, makeup-free skin on the neck and chin area
  • Wear a front-opening top for easy access and comfortable recovery
  • Stop smoking at least 2 weeks before — nicotine impairs skin contraction
  • Avoid prolonged sun exposure for 1 week before the procedure
  • Write down your questions for Dr. Gallaga
  • Arrange a companion if sedation is used (not required for local only)

Medications to stop

  • Aspirin / NSAIDs / Ibuprofen — stop 10–14 days before
  • Vitamin E / Fish oil / Ginkgo biloba — stop 2 weeks before (increase bruising risk)
  • Ozempic / Saxenda / Victoza — stop 30 days before
  • Retinoids / Tretinoin (topical) — stop 7 days before to reduce skin sensitivity

If in doubt about any medication, contact us before stopping or continuing it.

Questions

Frequently asked.

If your question isn't here, message Dr. Gallaga directly on WhatsApp — replies typically within a few hours.

The submental area is numbed with tumescent local anesthesia before anything begins. During the procedure, patients typically feel pressure and warmth but not pain. Some mild discomfort and soreness in the first 24–48 hours post-procedure is normal and manageable with over-the-counter pain relief.
You'll notice an immediate reduction in submental volume, though swelling masks the full result initially. At 2–3 weeks, the jawline definition becomes clearly apparent. The skin tightening effect from the laser continues developing over 3–6 months as collagen matures — this is what distinguishes Endolift from traditional liposuction.
CoolSculpting and Kybella are non-surgical, require multiple sessions, and do not address skin laxity. Laser chin lipo delivers surgical-level fat removal in a single session, with the added benefit of thermal skin tightening. Results are more dramatic, more predictable, and longer-lasting. It is also completed in one visit — important for patients traveling from the US.
Fat cells that are removed do not regenerate. However, significant weight gain can cause remaining fat cells in the area to expand. Most patients maintain their results long-term with stable body weight. The skin tightening effect is permanent to the degree that collagen produced is yours.
Yes — and many patients do. Laser chin lipo is frequently performed in the same operative session as Dr. Gallaga's deep plane facelift, recovering simultaneously. It resolves the submental component that a facelift alone does not fully address, producing a more complete jawline-to-neck result within the same downtime window.
For laser chin lipo as a standalone procedure, most patients cross the border same-day and return the following day. We recommend staying 2–3 days if possible for your first post-op check. If combined with a facelift package, the standard 7–10 day stay applies.
All-inclusive pricing is confirmed after your complimentary virtual consultation with Dr. Gallaga. The exact quote depends on the techniques used and whether the procedure is combined with other treatments. Message us on WhatsApp to get started.

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