Chin Up! The ins and outs of chin enhancement procedures.

Are you unhappy with a lack of definition in your lower face and jaw? Well, chin up! This blog is your guide to the ins and outs of chin enhancement procedures. We’ll discuss the different treatment options available on the market, how to choose the right procedure(s) for your individual preferences, and how to “layer” these treatments to achieve your best result.

Chin Filler

Our first stop on the list is chin filler. If your goal is to refine the shape or protrusion of your chin, but you’re not looking for a dramatic change, the quickest and easiest solution is chin filler injections! Likewise, chin filler can be used after a surgical enhancement procedure to add a little extra volume or make other subtle adjustments.

What is it? Dermal fillers are strategically injected into the chin, adding volume to the area. Filler can be injected in such a way customizing the results of both the shape and size of the chin. There are reversible and irreversible filler options. The irreversible opton is Calcium Hydroxylapatite. The reversible option consists of hyaluronic acid (HA), a natural sugar found in our bodies capable of holding up to 1,000 times its molecular weight in water. Water has volume, meaning it takes up space.

Who is a good candidate? Healthy adults over the age of 18 are a good candidate for this procedure. If chin filler is being added on after a surgical procedure, such as chin and neck liposuction, care must be taken to ensure you are fully healed - usually 3 months to 1 year after the procedure.

What if I’m not a good candidate? Just about any healthy adult who is unhappy with the shape and/or size of their chin is a good candidate. Given the above, the only things that would generally disqualify your candidacy is if you have an infection in the area of injections, are still healing from a previous procedure, or have an allergy to injectable fillers. You may also be advised by your practitioner that you may achieve a better result by starting with a surgical procedure, especially if your chin is severely receded.

Complementary procedures: Starting with chin and neck liposuction or another surgical procedure can create a more impactful, dramatic result.

Pros of chin filler: Nonsurgical and minimally invasive; treatment can be reversible if you are unhappy; results are customizable; results look natural; more cost-effective than surgical procedures in the short term; lesser risk of scarring or hematoma as compared to surgical options; no anesthesia or sedation is required; little to no downtime.

Cons of chin filler: Procedure must be repeated every year or so to maintain results; risk of temporary bruising and/or swelling; involves use of a needle; may involve some discomfort; results may not be dramatic enough to achieve your cosmetic goals.

Chin and Neck Liposuction

If you are looking for a more permanent option, surgery is the way to go.

What is it? Liposuction of the chin and neck is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that can be done under local or general anesthesia. 1-3 very small incisions are made, and a thin cannula is used to remove excess fat in the chin and neck area. This creates a sharper, more defined chin and jawline enhancing the chin, but will protrude the chin forward.

At Ideal Face & Body, our surgeons make three small incisions that are strategically hidden under the chin and behind the ears. This allows our surgeons to fully sculpt the excess fat in the area to maximize definition.

Who is a good candidate? The best candidate is a healthy adult over the age of 18 who is unhappy with a doughy chin, neck, and/or jawline. The lack of definition must be a result of fat obscuring the area to achieve a great result from this procedure. Your surgeon will help you determine this at your consultation.

What if I’m not a good candidate? In some cases, lack of a defined chin is the result of a weak chin as opposed to excess fat. A weak chin is one that recedes (curves backwards, towards the neck). It is also possible to have a weak chin thanks to rounding of the jaw.

Complementary procedures: After you have fully healed from your chin and neck liposuction procedure, you may consider proceeding with chin filler or a chin implant to further enhance the area.

Pros of chin and neck liposuction: Results are permanent; can be done under local or general anesthesia depending on your preferences; results are typically dramatic yet appear natural; minimal downtime is involved as compared to other surgical procedures.

Cons of chin and neck liposuction: Results are not reversible if you are unhappy or change your mind; some form of anesthesia/medication is necessary; is surgical/invasive; usually more expensive compared to nonsurgical treatment; possibility of undesirable scarring (which can be mitigated by strategic incision placement); risk of infection and hematoma as with all surgical procedures.

Sliding genioplasty

If you have micrognathia, a condition where the jaw is undersized, or you have a weak or receding chin, a sliding genioplasty may be a more appropriate procedure for your cosmetic goals.

What is it? Sliding genioplasty is a surgical procedure that can be performed by a plastic surgeon or maxillofacial surgeon. It is done under general anesthesia. The procedure involves separating the chin bone from the rest of the jaw using a special type of saw, and sliding it forward to increase chin protrusion. This procedure works by changing the natural positioning of your chin.

Who is a good candidate? Healthy adults over the age of 18 may be considered a good candidate for this procedure if there is a lack of chin definition due to a receding chin.

What if I’m not a good candidate? If you are not a good candidate, have no fear. You may achieve better results with chin and neck liposuction, chin filler, or a chin implant.

Pros of sliding genioplasty: Results are permanent; if the chin was severely receded, this procedure may increase comfort while eating or talking; results are somewhat customizable as the surgeon has control over the repositioning of the chin bone.

Cons of sliding genioplasty: Procedure is surgical and invasive; requires general anesthesia; downtime from this procedure may be more involved than other options; procedure is not reversible if you are unhappy with the result; risk of infection and hematoma as with all surgical procedures.

Chin Implant

If you have a significantly receding chin, but you don’t feel like sliding genioplasty is right for you, you may be wondering: now what? It is even possible that you may have already had and healed from chin and neck liposuction, but feel like your chin still needs a little more oomph. If this sounds like you, you may want to consider a chin implant!

What is it? Chin implants are a form of genioplasty, but are much less invasive than sliding genioplasty. In this surgical procedure, a small, silicone device is implanted in the chin - usually through an incision made inside the mouth or under the chin. The implant can be customized to fit your individual facial features, and the procedure can be done under general or local anesthesia.

Who is a good candidate? Healthy adults over the age of 18 with a weak or receding chin are good candidates for this procedure.

What if I’m not a good candidate? If you are looking to simply define or refine your natural chin as opposed to fully reshaping it, chin and neck liposuction or chin filler may be a more appropriate option.

Complementary procedures: If you have already had and fully healed from chin and neck liposuction, but still have a weak chin, adding a chin implant may help you achieve optimal results.

Pros of chin implant: Results are permanent, if desired; if you are unhappy with your results, the chin implant can be removed; you have a choice of sedation options; implant can be customized to fit your individual features; minimal discomfort and downtime.

Cons of chin implant: Implant can look unnatural; risk of scarring; risk of implant shifting positions; risk of infection and hematoma as with all surgical procedures.

Interested in proceeding with chin and neck liposuction, chin filler injections, or just have a few more questions about which option is right for you? Fill out the consultation form on the Ideal Face & Body website to schedule a complimentary virtual appointment with one of our in-house experts.