Many Los Angeles patients are becoming interested in chin enhancement procedures to improve their facial appearance from the front and the side.

Classic beauty standards for both men and women include an attractive jawline. From the side view the chin’s projection should be balanced out with the nose. A weak or receding chin can make the nose look disproportionately bigger.

Patients who are considering chin enhancement should take the following into consideration:

1) Whether the decision to undergo treatment is being done for the right reasons

2) Whether a surgical or non-surgical procedure would be appropriate for them at this point

3) The qualifications and skills of the physician

4) The size and shape that would be most attractive for their face

5) Potential risks

6)  Cost of different procedures

7)  Downtime for recovery

Patients may also want to consider the possibility of choosing a non-surgical option (which can last 1-3 years) as a preliminary step before committing surgery.  This may help them understand what would look best for their face.

In many cases, when patients rush into a decision with a permanent outcome,  they risk getting results that they later regret.  An augmented chin could end up being the wrong size or the wrong shape for a balanced looking face. If the outcome is not right, then revision surgeries may be necessary.
Getting a chin enhancement can improve the way individuals look in photographs and video. But the expectations of how this will affect one’s life should be realistic.
Taking the time to explore all the different aspects of improving the chin will help lead to long term satisfaction.

BACKGROUND

Chin enhancement procedures are growing in popularity throughout the United States.  In fact, they increased by 71% between 2010 and 2011.

There are a few likely reasons why more and more people are becoming interested in chin enhancement:

1) Online videos and social media have caused many people to see how they look on screen.

2) The jawline can be affected by sagging skin due to age.  A competitive job market may motivate candidates in their 40’s and 50’s to look younger through chin enhancement, which affects the jaw’s contour.

Online media is now connecting people in unprecedented ways.  People are becoming increasingly aware of how they look on camera at different angles. And this is motivating them to seek improvement with chin enhancement procedures.

A strong projecting chin is considered to be an attractive beauty standard for both men and women.  In women, this enables the face to look elegant and beautifully shaped. In men, the chin and jaw can affect the degree of masculinity their face projects

From the front view, a weak chin can make the face look flat.  Weight gain can also contribute to a double chin.

Chin Enhancement-Causes of a weak chin 

Chin recession is a type of deformity that may be congenital, where the the lower jaw is smaller than the upper jaw. This can occur from bone developmental issues at birth.

An actively receding chin is where condition starts to occur after adolescence. This may be due to various issues such as:

  • chronic temporomandibular joint condition
  • arthritic issues
  • dental problems that affect the bite of both jaws

Chin Enhancement- Realistic Expectations

Unless it is performed to correct serious jaw issues, chin enhancement is a cosmetic procedure.  Emotionally, patients should maintain a realistic perspective on the changes they expect to occur.
They should ask themselves:

1)       Will they be comfortable with what they see?

2)      Will they be comfortable with the way others see their changes?

3)      Do they expect others to react better to them?

4)      Is the procedure being done strictly for their own personal satisfaction?

Types of Chin Enhancement Procedures

Chin augmentation can be done surgically or non-surgically.

Surgical Chin Enhancement

Surgical chin enhancement procedures usually involve a permanent implant. An incision is created in the lower gum line under the tongue. This is where the implant is inserted. Some doctors prefer making the incision directly  under the existing chin

After the procedure, patient may see bruising and swelling. This will usually subside within a week.  Complete healing will take about 3-4 months.  Within the first month, patients cannot touch the area. Also they will need to sleep on a U-shaped pillow to avoid moving it inadvertently while in bed.

Non-Surgical Chin Enhancement

Chin enhancement can also be performed non-surgically. This is done with an injection called Radiesse. Radiesse is a gel suspension filler with calcium hydroxyapatite microspheres.  This calcium compound provides the firm structural support needed to project the chin. It also  provides the building blocks for creating new collagen fibers. Eventually the gel will be absorbed by the body.  The new collagen fibers will take the place of the gel.

During a chin enhancement procedure with Radiesse, the doctor will be instructed by the patient to create the right size and shape.

Patients may want to consider non-surgical chin enhancement procedures for the following reasons:

1) Financial costs- Injections with Radiesse cost about $950 on average. Surgical chin implants cost about $3750 on average.

2) The need for a preliminary decision making period- Some patients may not like the results of their surgical chin implants. It may be too big or too small. Also the shape may not be the most flattering.  The use of Radiesse can help individuals decide on the best look for their face.  When they are ready for a permanent chin enhancement result with an  implant, they have a better idea of what they want.

Radiesse injections in the chin can last from about 18 months up to 3 years for some patients.

Frequently Asked Questions

1)  How long does a non-surgical chin enhancement procedure take?

Injection procedures will take less than an hour.  Some doctors may prefer dividing the procedure into several sessions (e.g. two). This can help ensure that the right size and shape for the patient’s face. Also this approach minimizes the risk of lumps and the development of irregularities.  A conservative amount is administered at first. And then more can be added in the next session. Each one will take about 15 minutes.

2) How long does a surgical chin implant procedure take?

Inserting an implant into the chin area will take around 30 minutes.

3) How much do surgical chin enhancement procedures cost?

Chin enhancement procedures that require the placement of an implant will roughly cost around $3000.  Jaw advancement surgery, or genioplasty will cost around $10,000 and up.

4)  What are possible risks of chin enhancement with an implant?

Chin enhancement implant procedures entail several risks/complications  such as:

  • -bleeding and bruising
  • -possible infections
  • -bone loss (due to reabsorption) from the implant over time

5)  Can Restylane be used for chin enhancement?

6)   What are the chances for suffering from nerve damage in surgical chin enhancement?

There is a nerve that governs the sensation in the lower lip, chin and lower facial area. This can be stretched during the implant procedure. But the effects are usually temporary. Permanent nerve damage is extremely rare, occurring at a rate of about 1% of procedures performed.

8)   What are some of the side effects of Radiesse for chin enhancement?

Common side effects of Radiesse include the formation of lumps. This is often due to over injection. Other adverse effects include:

  • – infections
  • – granulomas (hard nodules of tissue)
  • -bruising
  • -swelling

9) Can Restylane be used for non-surgical chin enhancement?

Yes, Restylane is used by some doctors for non-surgical chin enhancement procedures. However, the outcomes are not as firm as Radiesse. Radiesse is made of tiny microspheres of a calcium compound. As you probably know, calcium is what makes up our bones. So these particles used in the formulation of Radiesse  offer the support that is needed for the chin area.  Restylane on the other hand is made of cross linked hyaluronic acid. This is also a natural component of our bodies.  However,  hyaluronic acid is more of a gel like substance which will add volume and hydration to the targeted area. Compared to Radiesse, it has minimal capacity to add structural support.

Celebrities And Chin Enhancement 

Because celebrities are photographed at every angle, they are interested in looking their best from the front view as well as the profile view.

Los Angeles celebrities who have most likely undergone chin enhancement procedures include:

1) Marilyn Monroe

2) Angelina Jolie

3) Bristol Palin

Early photographs of Marilyn Monroe’s profile show that she did not have a chin that projected forward. Although she was still photogenic and beautiful, she did not start off with conventionally classic features, which were more evident later in her career.

Chin enhancement existed even back in the 1950s.  There is one Hollywood story of how Marilyn Monroe got her chin implant. One photographer nick named her, “the chinless wonder.”  This is what motivated her to refine the look of her chin.

In more recent years of her career, Angelina Jolie’s jawline has looked quite elongated. This is quite different compared to her earlier years. Her face used to have a softer, less sculpted look.   Many people speculate  that she had some type of chin enhancement performed.

Bristol Palin surprised the world in 2011 with a completely different looking face. Most people remember seeing her at the Republican National Convention. She was considered to be quite pretty with a plump girlish face.

However, she claimed that she needed to have surgery to fix the alignment of her jaw. And that is why she looks different now.  However, many medical experts feel that she did not need a jaw procedure to fix her bite. Instead, she probably had some type of chin enhancement surgery to achieve the cosmetic results of a longer jawline and a shapelier chin.

Most celebrities strive for conventional beauty proportions and standards.  Reshaping the chin can be quite beneficial. But it can also cause individuals to look older. And they should be prepared for this consequence.

Chin Enhancement Consultations

Chin enhancement procedures with Radiesse are available at Fine Touch Dermatology. Those who are interested in this option can sign up for a no-cost consultation.

Click here to learn how a dermatologist can non-surgically reshape the chin.

Los Angeles chin enhancement can help improve one's appearance from the profile angle

Los Angeles chin enhancement can help improve one’s appearance from the profile angle*