Determine the cause
A soft line beneath the chin can reflect fat, loose skin, or anatomy. Marie Jé lists both deoxycholic-acid fat-reduction injections and XERF lifting. Ask the clinician to examine the area and identify which tissue each proposal would change. Treating fat when the dominant issue is skin, or treating skin when fullness is mainly fat, may miss the goal.
Compare the risk discussion
For injections, ask the exact drug and verify the proposed site against its FDA labeling. FDA-approved deoxycholic acid addresses adult submental fullness and carries important risks; its 2026 safety communication recommends against use outside that region. For XERF, ask about device settings, likely magnitude of tightening, visit count, and adverse effects.
Keep the sequence explicit
If both mechanisms seem relevant, ask whether treating one and reassessing would clarify the need for the other. Obtain separate quotes and follow-up dates. Ask about safety and expected benefit for each proposed procedure, whatever its level of invasiveness. The recommendation should explain how your anatomy affects the likely result, uncertainty and total cost.
Questions and answers
Which should come first?
That depends on an in-person assessment. Ask the clinician to explain the dominant tissue concern and the rationale for any sequence.