Procedures/Face/Chin Enhancement Solutions
Chin Enhancement Solutions
It seems like the chin is usually on the receiving end of lame jokes (think of those witch’s chin or Feldman jokes), but it is a major and, often, under appreciated, component of facial aesthetic. Here's how to give it the attention it deserves.
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Written By: Erin Storm, PA-C
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The Skinny
When you hear the words plastic surgery or plastic surgeon, one typically thinks of nose jobs, facelifts, and liposuction. But there are an aray plastic and reconstructive surgery procedures to enhance the appearance of almost every part of the body — and the chin is no exception.
There are both temporary and permanent corrective procedures to address the major causes of undesirable chin appearance. Whether your concern is a drooping chin, a large chin, a small chin, a ptotic chin, or the appearance of a double chin, a plastic surgeon can utilize a variety of techniques to create your ideal aesthetic (check out complete guide to Chin Shape & Size Concerns).
The Specifics
Who may consider a procedure that defines or enhances the chin?
And now for a quick anatomy recap: The chin is formed by the mental protuberance, a bony prominence at the mandibular symphysis (lower jaw). A chin pad composed of fat tissue lies just under the chin and can factor into overall appearance. The mentalis muscle (for the lower lip) inserts on the chin and connects to the overlying soft tissue. Men naturally have square, wide chins whereas females have rounded, narrower chins. Genetics, body weight, age (descent of the soft tissues), and certain medical illnesses (especially endocrine disorders) will impact chin appearance. The subcategories of chin concerns are outlined below:- Submental Fat (a.k.a. Double Chin): This occurs when there is excess fat tissue in the submental fat pad. This can be due to body weight or genetic predisposition.
- Dimpled Chin: This most commonly is caused by a shortened, tight mentalis muscle of the lower lip pulling on the soft tissue of the chin causing an indentation. This can be categorized as static or dynamic chin ptosis.
- Drooping Chin: Usually due to natural aging as skin elastin and collagen breaks down causing skin to sag.
- Large Chin: Due to underlying bone structure being disproportionately large to other facial features and the neck. Typically genetic.
- Small or Recessed Chin: A lack of size in the mental protuberance can cause a lack of chin definition creating a small or recessed appearance.
What can you expect from chin defining procedures?
Chin surgery (a.k.a. mentoplasty) is the general term for procedures aimed at altering the chin shape and size. Both surgical and non-surgical procedures exist with varying levels of invasiveness. Depending on the concern and procedure, enhancements and corrections can be made to the bone, muscle, fat, or soft tissue of the chin area.- Chin Augmentation: Augmentation procedures utilize fillers, injectables, and implants to enhance chin size, shape, and definition. Augmentations can also create or reduce dimples.
- Chin Reduction: A chin reduction excisional approach procedure decreases chin size or prominence by altering underlying bone and muscle tissue.
- Chin Definition: Changes to chin definition can be achieved both surgically and non-surgically. Surgical options alter underlying chin structures while non-surgical options take advantage of injectables, fillers, and sculpting techniques.
For candidates who choose to pursue a surgical option, recovery times will be longer due to the invasiveness of the procedures. Surgical options allow for greater adjustments and increased permanence. Non-surgical options are less invasive and can be equally effective in enhancing appearance with less recovery, although they will usually require maintenance.
When should you consider chin defining procedures?
As with any medical procedure, the ideal time to pursue treatment is when you are in generally good health, have ruled out underlying medical illness, and can commit to appropriate recovery.For those whose concerns are related to genetics, treatment can be sought once the personal decision is made to create your ideal appearance. If body weight is a factor in your concern, it is important to keep in mind that fluctuations in body weight can affect results. Chin concerns related to aging will benefit from early intervention.
Why should you consider chin defining procedures?
The appearance of the chin figures strongly in both profile and looks when faced straight on. The proportions of the chin in relation to the face will affect overall symmetry and aesthetic. As with any cosmetic procedure, the decision to enhance your appearance and create your best self doesn’t really need a specific reason.Chin Augmentation Procedures
Chin augmentation procedures can be used to enhance chin shape, size, and definition. These procedures can also create dimples or remove dimples as desired.- Chin Augmentation
- Overview: Used to enhance the size and shape of the chin, it can be achieved with chin implants or manipulation of the jaw bone.
- Cost: $3,000 - $5,000
- Recovery & Results: Patients will be on a liquid diet with minimal jaw movement for one week. Results are permanent and will be most noticeable after three months
- Alloplastic Chin Implant
- Overview: This procedure places a synthetic chin implant into the soft tissue of the chin. The body will form a fibrous capsule around the implant over time.
- Cost: $2,000 - $5,000
- Recovery & Results: Pain, swelling, and tenderness will resolve within a few weeks. Patients will be on a liquid diet for one week. The results are permanent.
- Chin Augmentation with Soft Tissue Fillers
- Overview: A soft tissue filler, typically autologous fat, is inserted into the chin to enhance definition or prominence.
- Cost: $650 - $2,500
- Recovery & Results: Swelling and tenderness will resolve within a few days. The results are temporary and will require maintenance.
- Osseous Genioplasty for Chin Deformity
- Overview: This surgery involves cutting and repositioning the mandible to improve chin appearance.
- Cost: $5,000 - $15,000
- Recovery & Results: Patients will be on a liquid diet for one week with activity limitations for three weeks. The results are permanent and will finalize within one year
- Botox for Dimpled Chin
- Overview: Botox injections are used to relax the mentalis muscle pulling on the chin and soft tissue.
- Cost: $10 - $1,150
- Recovery & Results: Mild pain and irritation for one day. Results will be noticeable after one week. Maintenance treatments every eight months will be needed.
- Dimpleplasty
- Overview: Sutures are used to internally connect soft tissue causing an indentation to form.
- Cost: $1,500 - $2,500
- Recovery & Results: Redness and swelling will last for about one week. The results are permanent.
Chin Reduction Procedures
Chin reduction can alleviate the appearance of an overly large or prominent chin. This can improve facial symmetry and the appearance of the neck and jaw.- Chin Reduction
- Overview: An intraoral incision or incision under the chin is made for soft tissue excision and bone reduction.
- Cost: $2,000 - $5,000
- Recovery & Results: Tenderness, swelling, and bruising will resolve within a few weeks. The results are permanent.
- Surgical Correction of Chin Ptosis
- Overview: Depending on the nature of the ptosis, chin muscle and/or skin will be altered or excised.
- Cost: $2,000 - $5,000
- Recovery & Results: Swelling, bruising, and tenderness will last for one week. Permanent results will evolve before finalizing at three weeks.
Non-Surgical Chin Defining Procedures
These minimally invasive procedures can greatly enhance chin definition with less side effects than a surgical intervention. They do, however, typically require maintenance treatments.- CoolSculpting®
- Overview: An applicator is applied to the skin and fat cells are destroyed by freezing.
- Cost: $2,000 - $4,000 (learn more in our guide to CoolSculpting® cost)
- Recovery & Results: Bruising and swelling will resolve within a few days. Typically one to three treatments are needed. Results are permanent.
- Kybella®
- Overview: Kybella is an injectable prescription medication that dissolves fat.
- Cost: $1,200 - $1,800 (learn more in our guide to Kybella® cost)
- Recovery & Results: Multiple injections will be needed, but the results are permanent.
- Lipodissolve
- Overview: Another injectable medication designed to dissolve fat. Currently this medication is not FDA approved.
- Cost: $150 - $6,000
- Recovery & Results: Mild swelling and bruising will resolve within one week. A series of four to 10 treatments will be required and the results are permanent.
- Mesotherapy
- Overview: An injection of a fat dissolving solution. The components of the solution vary by practitioner.
- Cost: $250 - $12,000
- Recovery & Results: Mild irritation will resolve within hours. Multiple treatments will be needed and the results are temporary.
- SculpSure®
- Overview: A laser energy system that heats and destroys fat deposits.
- Cost: $1,400 - $1,500
- Recovery & Results: There are minimal to no side effects. A series of one to three treatments will be required and the results are permanent.
- Ultherapy®
- Overview: Ultrasound waves are utilized to create heat in the deep muscle layers of the chin tightening and toning the tissue.
- Cost: $175 - $5,000
- Recovery & Results: Minimal to no side effects. Results will be noticeable after two to three months and last for one year.
- NeckTite™
- Overview: RFAL energy is used to loosen fat cells and tone/tighten skin for a rejuvenated appearance.
- Cost: $2,000 - $8,000
- Recovery & Results: Swelling, bruising, and tenderness resolve within two weeks. Results last about five years and finalize within 12 months.
Surgical Chin Defining Procedures
These more invasive procedures can permanently refine and define the chin through alterations to bone, muscle, or fat tissue.- Cervicoplasty
- Overview: An incision is made into the neck and excess skin and fat tissue is removed.
- Cost: $3,500 - $6,500
- Recovery & Results: Bruising, swelling, and tenderness will resolve within one week. The results are permanent.
- Tumescent Liposuction
- Overview: A form of liposuction in which tumescent fluid is injected to reduce side effects and enhance results.
- Cost: $2,000 - $11,000
- Recovery & Results: Swelling and bruising will resolve within two weeks. The results are temporary.
- Laser Assisted Liposuction
- Overview: A laser is used to melt fat tissue. This technique is believed to be easier on skin with less side effects.
- Cost: $2,500 - $5,500
- Recovery & Results: Bruising and swelling will resolve within two weeks. Full results will be seen after three months and they are temporary.
- Radiofrequency Assisted Liposuction
- Overview: This liposuction technique uses radio frequency to simultaneously tighten the skin while removing fat.
- Cost: $2,600 - $8,500
- Recovery & Results: Side effects will resolve within two weeks. The results are temporary.
- Water Jet Assisted Liposuction
- Overview: Similar to tumescent liposuction, water is used to dislodge fat cells and make them easier to harvest for removal.
- Cost: $4,500 - $10,000
- Recovery & Results: Swelling and bruising will resolve within two weeks. The results are temporary and will be most noticeable after six months.
- SlimLipo
- Overview: A type of laser liposuction that emulsifies unwanted fat and also improves skin tone.
- Cost: $1,500 - $6,000
- Recovery & Results: Swelling and bruising will resolve within two weeks. The results will improve as swelling subsides and are temporary.
- Power Assisted Liposuction
- Overview: A small incision is made in skin and a vibrating instrument is used to break down fat deposits.
- Cost: $2,000 - $8,000
- Recovery & Results: Bruising, tenderness, and swelling will resolve within one week. The results are temporary.
- SmartLipo
- Overview: Another type of laser assisted liposuction that utilizes laser energy to melt at deposits.
- Cost: $1,500 - $6,000
- Recovery & Results: Bruising, swelling, and tenderness will resolve within two weeks. The results are temporary and most noticeable after three months.
- Submental Liposuction
- Overview: A small incision is made near the submental fat pad and excess fat cells are removed.
- Cost: $2,000 - $3,500
- Recovery & Results: Bruising, tenderness, and swelling will resolve within one week. The results are temporary.
The Takeaway
The chin pad, submental crease, mentalis muscle, mandibular symphysis, and numerous other structures all contribute to chin appearance. Fortunately, knowing or even being able to pronounce any of those names is a job for the plastic surgeons. Chin implants, bone reduction, and removal of fat from the chin pad are just a few of the various techniques a plastic surgeon can utilize to enhance and refine chin appearance.
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