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When it comes to discussing our options about 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 strong chin plays a key role in making a face look beautiful. It gives you a better profile view by adding definition to the face and creating a balance between different facial features such as your nose, neck, and cheeks. In fact, having a strong chin plays a key role in giving you a well-chiseled profile. Think of a supermodel or a celebrity such as Jennifer Lopez, even a superhero character like Batman or Superman; they all have one thing in common – a well-defined, sharp chin.
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.
But what if you are not blessed with a sharp, symmetrical chin naturally? Or, you have lost the definition of your chin and jawline because of age or tissues weakness? Is surgery the only solution? Can you get a chin makeover without going under the knife? The answer to the above questions is a definite yes. More and more women are opting for non-surgical chin augmentation procedure these days. Keep reading to know everything about chin enhancement without surgery.
What Causes a Receding Chin?
The appearance and the actual position of our chin are largely 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 receding chin. The problem could be there from birth, or it may be due to genetic reasons. Age also plays a key role here. With age, we may get a receding chin because of the loss of tissue and bone from that area. (1)
Also Read – A Brief Guide To Chin Augmentation
Surgical Versus Non-Surgical Chin Augmentation
The surgical process aims at improving 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 – use of anesthesia, high cost, long recovery period, and certain 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 to no risk and swelling involved.
Choosing the Expert
Before getting into the details of what actually happens in non-surgical chin augmentation, let us make one thing very clear. Even if non-invasive, this is a tricky procedure to perform and needs to be handled by a well-experienced professional. So before saying yes or no, do your research and make sure that the dermatologist you have chosen has carried out enough such procedures. In addition, the area around the chin has two big nerves, and if not done properly, the person can experience side effects, including numbness in the area 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 certain portion of the chin with the help of a small needle. Common options for hyaluronic acid include Juvederm Voluma, Radiesse, or Restylane. These injectables are basically 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 also 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 requirement. 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 for undergoing 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 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 also pretty common for the first few days. However, all these symptoms disappear within a week. You can go back 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 from 1 to 2 years, depending on the fillers used. If you have opted for Juvederm, the effects can last for up to 2 years. However, the fillers using Radiesse will give you the desired look for a year or so, with touch-up sessions required every 6 months. You can even try Restylane for short-term outcomes where the changes last for around 6 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 lesser than the traditional surgical option. One session of non-surgical chin enhancement can cost you anywhere 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. All you may experience is a little swelling or soreness around the chin for a couple of days.
- Being a non-surgical procedure, it has minimal downtime. Therefore, you do not need to stay away from your regular work and activities for weeks or months. Rather, you can resume your work almost immediately after going through the process.
- Chin enhancement without surgery is reversible. If you don’t like the results, you can get your actual facial feature back 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
Just like other cosmetic procedures, non-surgical chin enhancement also comes with a few disadvantages.
- The results of non-surgical chin augmentation are temporary. Therefore, you need repeat sessions at specific intervals to keep up the 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. Just let him know what results are you actually looking for and how much you are ready to spend.
Will the non-invasive chin enhancement procedure give me an unnatural look?
Before going into any facial feature enhancement procedure, we must get our expectations checked. Most of these procedures (non-invasive chin enhancement included) give you very subtle and natural results. However, none of them will turn you looking 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. In case you wish to get rid of 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
