The jawline underscores your overall facial profile, but it is the chin that adds the final punctuation mark. Changing the shape and projection of your chin is one way to redraw the lines, angles and contours of the lower face. Here, experienced Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Charles S. Lee, MD describes proven procedures and treatments that can add character to your chin and aesthetic appeal to your facial silhouette.
Genioplasty
For greater chin prominence, many patients choose silicone or composite implants. During a genioplasty procedure, Dr. Lee usually makes an incision under the chin or inside the lower lip to insert the implant, which may then be attached to the bone. Some implants are positioned so that they will be naturally held in place by facial muscles.
In a procedure known as “sliding genioplasty,” your own bone becomes the implant. Dr. Lee cuts a portion of the jawbone; this bone is moved forward for a more pronounced chin or moved back to reduce chin projection. Titanium screws secure the bone in its new position.
Microfat Transfer
With fat grafting, sometimes known as fat transfer, Dr. Lee uses fat cells from other areas of the body and injects small amounts of these cells to increase chin volume and stimulate collagen production.
Although facial fat transfers have been performed for many years, today’s technique is more advanced than the procedures done decades ago. Skilled plastic surgeons now use microfat, a small-particle version of your body’s natural fat. Cells are prepared using special devices that filter and break down the fat that has been harvested from elsewhere in the body, using a liposuction technique.
These fat cells become an integral part of your subdermal face. A 2017 study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that 82 percent of fat cells injected to build chin volume survived long-term. In addition, participants showed an average increase in chin projection of 9 mm after four weeks and 7 mm after six months.
Other Options
Another popular way to add modest amounts of volume to the chin and surrounding areas is the use of dermal fillers. These injectables fill lines and hollows, build volume and stimulate collagen production.
To reduce volume, available techniques include a submental liposuction procedure, during which liposuction is performed under the chin to the neckline. Kybella injections can also be used to shrink under-chin fat, and sometimes lasers and ultrasound treatments as well.
To learn more about chin augmentation and related procedures, schedule a personal consultation with Charles S. Lee, MD, or contact the Beverly Hills office of Enhance® Medical Center today.
