Chin Augmentation
Overview
A well-defined chin creates a clean, elegant profile and provides foundation and balance to the entire face. A weak chin makes the nose look bigger and blurs the transition from the jawline to the neck, resulting in an amorphous appearance to the lower third of the face. Furthermore, as the jaw bone ages, the foundation for the skin around the chin and jawline loosens and recedes. In chin augmentation surgery, an implant is placed to give the chin and jawline more substance and definition.
The optimal amount of chin augmentation –and thus size of the implant used– depends on your bone structure, nose size, ethnic background, and gender. In men, a larger-sized implant is used to create a stronger, chiseled jawline, whereas in women, a smaller implant is used to impart a softer appearance. Placement of a chin implant may be recommended in patients having a rhinoplasty procedure, as the size of the chin greatly affects the perceived size of the nose in profile. A chin implant may also be used to optimize the results of a neck lift or lower face lift. As a double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Chung has significant expertise with chin augmentation and will guide you regarding the size and shape of a chin that best fits your face.
Am I a good candidate for chin augmentation?
If you have a weak chin and/or are having a rhinoplasty procedure, and wish to improve your profile, you may be an excellent candidate for chin augmentation. In select patients who are having procedures to improve the appearance of an aging face, the placement of a chin implant may also be considered to provide support and definition to the jawline.
What happens during my initial consultation for a chin implant?
During the consultation, Dr. Chung will thoroughly examine your chin and the proportions of your face. Photographs will be taken to enhance discussion regarding your profile, goals, and realistic expectations. In some patients, Dr. Chung may also recommend neck liposuction to improve the profile and the definition of the jawline. The size, shape, and type of chin implant will also be discussed. Chin augmentation may be a stand-alone procedure, or may be combined with a rhinoplasty, neck lift, or lower face lift.
What happens during my chin augmentation procedure?
Chin implants may be placed in the office under local anesthesia or in the hospital under light sedation depending on your health, preference, and number of additional procedures to be performed. Before the procedure, Dr. Chung reviews your preoperative photos with you and discusses the surgical plan. A small incision is made under the chin or inside the mouth for implant placement. The fat, muscle, and skin are lifted off the chin, and the implant is meticulously positioned and stitched into place. The incision is then closed with tiny sutures. Patients are always amazed by the natural-looking changes to their chin and overall profile. You will not be able to feel it, and no one will know that you had an implant placed.
Complementary procedures
Rhinoplasty may be performed at the same time as a chin augmentation to improve the facial profile and overall balance to your face. Other procedures –such as neck liposuction and face lift may also be performed at the same time to improve the definition of the lower third of the face and neck.
What is the recovery like?
There will be some swelling and bruising after surgery. You will be asked to apply ice to your chin for 48 hours and to sleep with your head elevated. The stitches are removed in 5-7 days after surgery. Most patients return to work and social activities 1 week after surgery. Exercise may slowly be resumed a week after surgery, though contact sports should be avoided for 1 month. It is also normal to have some initial decreased sensation along the chin, though this typically improves over the ensuing months.
What will I look like?
The majority of the swelling and bruising will be gone in 1 -2 weeks, and there will be continued improvement for several months. The incision will also be slightly pink for a few months, but will fade and ultimately become barely visible. Most people will not even know you’ve had surgery! You will have a wonderful refreshed quality, and your profile will be more defined. With chin augmentation, you will experience firsthand how an improved look will inspire an improved outlook.
“The best way to turn a woman’s head is to tell her she has a beautiful profile.”
Sacha Guitry