When discussing our options for professional cosmetic treatments available for facial feature enhancement that can add sharpness and symmetry to our face, we always think about lip injections or nose jobs. The idea of getting a chin enhancement never crosses our minds. But experts say it should.
A powerful chin isn’t just about looks; it’s a key player in enhancing facial beauty. It adds definition to your face, creating that perfect balance with your nose, neck, and cheeks. Picture your favorite supermodel, like Jennifer Lopez, or iconic superheroes like Batman and Superman – what sets them apart? A distinct, well-defined chin that contributes to their overall appeal and charm.
Dermatologists say that the position of your chin and its size can actually make your facial features such as nose, lips, and neck look large or small.
What if you weren’t born with that naturally sharp, symmetrical chin, or if age and weakened tissues have taken away the definition from your chin and jawline? Is surgery the only remedy? The good news is, no, it’s not the only solution. Many women are now choosing a non-surgical chin augmentation procedure. Let’s dive into how to enhance your chin without going under the knife.
What Causes a Receding Chin?
Our chin’s appearance and actual position are primarily determined by the structure of our lower jaw and the soft tissues surrounding it. In a few cases, the alignment of the upper and lower jaw could be such that the chin is pushed back disproportionately compared to the lower jaw. This is known as a receding chin. The problem could be there from birth, or it may be due to genetic reasons. Age also plays a key role here. We may get a receding chin with age because of the area’s loss of tissue and bone. (1)
Also Read – A Brief Guide To Chin Augmentation
Surgical Versus Non-Surgical Chin Augmentation
The surgical process aims to improve the shape and appearance of the chin by placing an implant on your existing chin bone. These implants are made up of plastics or medical-grade silicone. These procedures give you permanent and dramatic results. However, the disadvantages include anesthesia use, high cost, long recovery period, and specific side effects. After all, this is a surgical procedure.
Non-surgical chin augmentation is a non-invasive procedure in which injectable dermal fillers enhance the chin and make the profile more attractive. It is a quick and highly effective alternative to surgery and works best for people with average to moderate chins. The only downside of this option is that the results are temporary and last for about a year. But the results look completely natural and can be maintained with repeated sessions. It is also a pain-free procedure with minimal risk and swelling.
Choosing the Expert
Before getting into the details of what happens in non-surgical chin augmentation, let us clarify one thing. Even if non-invasive, this is a tricky procedure and needs to be handled by a well-experienced professional. So before saying yes or no, research and ensure that the dermatologist you have chosen has done enough such procedures. In addition, the area around the chin has two big nerves, and if not done correctly, the person can experience side effects, including numbness around the chin.
Also Read – Chin Injections Vs. Chin Implant – Which Is A Better Choice?
The Procedure
In non-surgical chin augmentation, small amounts of dermal fillers of hyaluronic acid or calcium hydroxyapatite preparations are inserted into a particular portion of the chin with the help of a small needle. Standard options for hyaluronic acid include Juvederm Voluma, Radiesse, or Restylane. These injectables are small spherical calcium-based particles present in a water-based gel that, when injected into the chin, can alter its shape, size, and projection as per the requirements of individuals. A numbing cream, lidocaine, is applied all over the chin to make the procedure painless. (2)
Did You Know?
When injected into the skin, dermal fillers get absorbed by our tissue and take on their own characteristics. Hence, the product does not become noticeable. The skin in the treated area also does not get hard to touch.
These fillers are also customizable (but only to an extent) according to your requirements. If you don’t like the size or position of the implant after your first session, you can always get it altered in the next session.
Time Required
The total time required to undergo a non-surgical chin enhancement is around 30 minutes. Most people need about three to four injections to get the desired result. Your dermatologist will give you enough time gap between each injection.
Downtime and Recovery
The best thing about non-surgical chin augmentation is that it needs a minimal to no recovery period. There may be a little pain, tenderness, and dull ache in the treated area for up to 3 days. Mild swelling, inflammation, and bruising are typical for the first few days. However, all these symptoms disappear within a week. You can return to your regular work schedule right after the procedure with some cover-up on your chin.
You may also be asked to not touch or rub around the chin area for a few days. Avoid sleeping on your stomach for a couple of days after the procedure as you don’t want to apply any pressure that can displace the filler.
Results
The effects of your chin enhancement procedure are visible instantly. These results usually last 1 to 2 years, depending on the fillers. If you have opted for Juvederm, the effects can last up to 2 years. However, the Radiesse fillers will give you the desired look for a year or so, requiring touch-up sessions every six months. You can even try Restylane for short-term outcomes, where the changes last around six months.
Complications
A non-surgical and non-invasive procedure does not have adverse side effects or potential complications usually associated with traditional surgeries. In addition, as the non-invasive procedure does not use any solid implant, there is no risk of displacement or infection of implants. Typically, the dermal fillers get absorbed into the skin and become a part of it.
However, good results of this procedure can only be ensured by choosing a well-trained plastic surgeon or dermatologist. This is not a procedure that can be performed in a spa. The professional needs to understand the anatomy of the chin area to avoid any nerve damage.
It is essential to use only FDA-approved dermal fillers in order to avoid potential risks and complications.
Cost
Non-surgical chin enhancement costs way less than the traditional surgical option. One non-surgical chin enhancement session can cost between $1,000 and $1,500. The cost varies according to the type and amount of filler used. Most of the patients need about three to six sessions of these fillers.
Advantages
Here is a list of advantages you can enjoy by choosing non-invasive chin enhancement.
- As the name suggests, this is a non-invasive procedure that doesn’t need the administration of anesthesia. As a result, it has no significant side effects or potential risks associated with traditional surgery. You may experience a slight swelling or soreness around the chin for several days.
- Being a non-surgical procedure, it has minimal downtime. Therefore, you do not need to avoid regular work and activities for weeks or months. Instead, you can resume your work almost immediately after the process.
- Chin enhancement without surgery is reversible. If you don’t like the results, you can regain your facial features after a while. As the results are temporary, you can skip the maintenance sessions and return to your original condition.
- The results here are instant. You don’t even need to stay away from your work. The procedure can be performed in a ‘half-an-hour break.
- You can use this procedure as a ‘trial’ for a full-fledged chin enhancement surgery. Try it out if you ultimately plan to go for a traditional surgery but aren’t sure about the resultant look. It will help you clear your doubts.
Disadvantages
Like other cosmetic procedures, non-surgical chin enhancement also has a few disadvantages.
- The results of non-surgical chin augmentation are temporary. Therefore, you need repeat sessions at specific intervals to maintain a perfectly sculpted chin.
- The results of non-invasive chin enhancement aren’t exactly customizable enough compared to those you get from surgery. For example, even though you will be given a handheld mirror during the procedure to see where the filler will be pushed, you cannot control the final look.
- If compared with a traditional chin augmentation, the non-surgical alternative could turn out to be equally or sometimes even more expensive. It may appear cheaper at the start, but the overall price of multiple sessions will add up.
Summary
A sharp, well-positioned chin can not only make your face look more proportional and symmetrical but can also add definition to your jawline. However, certain genetic reasons and age can drag your chin down, also known as receding chin. While a traditional chin implant surgery will give you permanent results, you can also try the non-invasive option that has comparable results but comes with minimal risk and recovery time. In non-surgical chin augmentation, small amounts of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are inserted into the chin with the help of a small needle. This is a very quick procedure with excellent results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)?
How should we decide on which filler to use?
Leave this decision to your dermatologist. Tell him what results you are looking for and how much you are ready to spend.
Will the non-invasive chin enhancement procedure give me an unnatural look?
Before any facial feature enhancement procedure, we must check our expectations. Most of these procedures (non-invasive chin enhancement included) give subtle and natural results. However, none of them will make you look like Jennifer Lopez.
What if I don’t like the results of non-invasive chin enhancement?
The results of these procedures are temporary and, without a follow-up, can wane off on their own. If you wish to eliminate their effects immediately, talk to your dermatologist.
References:
- “How to Get Rid of a Receding Chin” – healthline.com
- “Chin augmentation: filler versus prosthesis“- thepmfajournal.com
