What’s the Best Way to Sculpt My Chin?

All facial features have their own unique shape and size. Ideally, these shapes and sizes will match up to some degree. The definition of the chin has a direct effect on the nose as well as the cheeks and neck. When the chin is very small, the nose appears larger. A small or recessed chin also may not provide sufficient structure for a distinct transition between the face and neck. There are ways to address a weak chin, and many people are doing just that with either dermal fillers or chin implant surgery.

Chin Implant Surgery

A procedure to enhance the size and shape of the chin is called genioplasty. To add appropriate structure to the lower face, an anatomically shaped implant is inserted over the chin bone. Chin implants are typically made of biocompatible composite or medical-grade silicone. The surgical procedure is straightforward, conducted through a small incision on the underside of the chin, where the tiny resulting scar will not be seen. Alternatively, it may be possible to insert the implant through an incision in the mouth.

Key benefits of chin implants include:

• Various sizes, shapes, and profiles of implants are available to achieve proportionate results.
• The results of a single procedure are permanent.
• The chin implant can be removed if desired.
• Scars are undetectable.
• Chin implant surgery is a low-risk procedure.

Points to Consider:

• Chin implant surgery may require general anesthesia or local anesthesia and IV sedation.
• Recovery from surgery takes several days.
• Surgery incurs higher up-front investment than fillers.
• An additional procedure is necessary to reverse results.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers like Juvéderm are used on various parts of the face. A denser product can be introduced beneath the skin to modestly increase the contour of the chin as well as the jawline.

Key benefits of dermal fillers include:

• Nonsurgical treatment does not require anesthesia of any kind.
• Results are immediate.
• No downtime is needed to recover.
• There is no scarring from injections.
• Up-front cost is lower than chin implant surgery.

Points to Consider:

• Dermal fillers last between 1 and 2 years, which means repeat treatments are necessary to sustain results.
• Fillers are limited in the extent of augmentation they can achieve.
• Not all injectable providers are skilled at chin augmentation using dermal fillers.
• The overall cost of fillers can exceed surgical augmentation due to maintenance treatments.

The Choice is Yours

Most people who want to enhance the contours of their chin are good candidates for either treatment option. To learn more about how chin augmentation can look on you, call our Reno office at (775) 826-4477.