Chin Augmentation

Our recommended surgeons offer both surgical and non-surgical chin augmentation procedures to enhance the natural contours of your chin, neck, and jawline in order to restore a balanced facial profile. 

The chin is formed out of the protruding bone that extends from the lower jaw (mandible). It is a defining feature of a balanced facial profile since it forms the lower edge of the face and separates the face from the neck. Therefore, enhancing a weak chin with a chin augmentation can dramatically improve the appearance of your face and neck. 

Our selected experts are award-winning aesthetic plastic surgeons specialising in facial contouring procedures, including chin augmentation. During your consultation with your chosen professional, you will establish whether a chin augmentation surgical option is the best solution for your concerns, or whether a non-surgical approach is more suited for your needs.

What is Chin Augmentation

Chin augmentation or chin enhancement is a cosmetic procedure that increases the size and shape of the chin in order to improve the appearance of your facial profile. The procedure can be carried out using both surgical and non-surgical methods. 

The non-surgical treatment uses injectable fillers to add volume to the chin area. There are two types of surgical chin augmentation procedures known as genioplasty and chin implant surgery. Both procedures use different surgical methods to augment the chin with varying results.     

Chin augmentation is commonly performed to improve a recessed or weak chin but is also performed for other aesthetic reasons, including improving facial balance and adding definition to the jawline. 

The type of chin augmentation procedure you choose will depend on your chin’s size and shape and the extent to which it needs to be altered to leave you with a well-defined facial contour. The non-surgical fillers may be more suitable for patients in need of slight augmentation, whereas the surgical procedures may be a more effective solution for patients who require significant augmentation to their chin.

Chin Augmentation Benefits

Strengthen a Weak Chin

A weak chin, also known as a receding chin, is a condition in which the tip of the chin curves towards the neck. As a result, the angle between the jaw and the neck is reduced and facial contours are less defined. A weak chin is usually caused by genetic factors and congenital conditions such as Treacher Collins Syndrome. In many cases, it also develops with age. A chin augmentation procedure can correct a weak chin by projecting it forward in order to enhance the facial profile.

Improve Jawline

A soft rounded chin can reduce the definition of the jawline. A chin augmentation procedure can improve the appearance of your jawline by leaving you with a more angular chin. This will enhance the appearance of the lower jaw bone (mandible), thus giving the lower edge of your face a more pronounced v-shaped definition.

Reduce a Double Chin

Submental fat, also known as a ‘double chin’, is the result of a layer of fat forming underneath the chin. It is a common condition caused by genetics, weight gain, poor posture, and the loosening of skin as you age. A chin augmentation procedure can reduce the appearance of a double chin by tightening the skin around the area, and adding projection and definition to the chin.

Improve Facial Balance

An under-defined or receding chin may give your face a disproportionate appearance. It can make your neck look too high, and your nose look too big as it lacks the definition needed to balance out your other facial features. A chin augmentation procedure can enhance the definition of your chin in order to make the lower border of your face more pronounced which can consequently balance out the rest of the face and neck and promote proportionality in the face.

How Much Does Chin Augmentation Cost?

The exact cost of your chin augmentation procedure will vary depending on your individual circumstances. In general, prices in the UK for chin fillers start at £450, while genioplasty starts from £7,800, and an implant augmentation starts from £5,500. 

During your consultation with your chosen surgeon, your suitability for a chin augmentation procedure will be assessed, and you will be able to discuss the type of procedure that best suits your needs and desired results.

Chin Augmentation Procedure

As mentioned, a chin augmentation procedure can be carried out in three ways, using both non-surgical and surgical methods:

Genioplasty

The surgical procedure in the form of genioplasty is usually recommended for patients with a severely recessed chin and patients who wish to lengthen their jaw both horizontally and vertically. A genioplasty is the most suitable procedure in such cases because it can both reposition the jaw by sliding it forward and add length to the chin by opening up the mentolabial fold (the indentation between the lower lip and chin). 

It is performed under general anaesthesia and takes around one hour. The surgery involves sawing the chin bone away from the jaw via an incision on the gum of the lower lip. This enables the surgeon to slide the chin forward to increase its horizontal length and downwards to increase its vertical length. Afterwards, the chin is reattached to the jaw with surgical screws and the incision is stitched close.

Chin Implants 

Chin implant surgery involves adding an implant in order to project the jaw forward. The procedure is recommended for patients who have recessed chins which can be corrected by adding projection to the lower jaw. Whereas genioplasty can reposition and lengthen the jaw, an implant can only add projection to the lower jaw. 

The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia and lasts for around one hour. Once the anaesthetic is administered, a small incision is made just beneath the chin or in the lower gum inside the mouth. Next, the chin implant is shaped to match the patient’s facial structure in order to achieve a natural finish. The implant is then inserted through the incision and placed perfectly on the chin bone (mandible). Finally, the incision is closed with stitches.

Fillers

The non-surgical procedure involves injecting a series of cosmetic fillers into your chin area. The filler is made of hyaluronic acid, a moisture-retaining substance that is naturally produced by the body. The placement of the injections will depend on the shape and size of your chin and which parts need to be enhanced. When injected, the filler immediately augments your chin by adding volume. On average, around 1 ml of filler is injected to achieve the required results, and it can be done in one treatment session.

Types of Chin Implants

Silicone Chin Implants

Silicone implants, also known as silastic implants, are made of medical-grade silicone, which is a rubber-like material. Silicone implants are smooth and non-porous, and therefore can be easily removed with one surgery if a patient is unhappy with the results. Silicone has been used in cosmetic surgery for decades, making it a safe and reliable option. For these reasons, it is also the most common type of implant used in cosmetic surgeries and the preferred option of our recommended plastic surgeons.

Gore-Tex Chin Implants

Gore-Tex implants are made of expanded-polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE). It is a porous material which enables tissue to grow into the pores and secure the implant in place. For this reason, it is thought to provide a more natural result. Gore-Tex is also a stronger material than silicone while still retaining its flexibility. However, its porous nature makes it much more complicated to reverse the surgical procedure by taking out the implant as it is designed to be integrated into the patient’s body. 

Medpor Chin Implants

Medpor implants are made of medical-grade high-density polyethylene. Like Gore-Tex, Medpor is a porous material, and the implant is designed to be fixed and integrated into the body as tissue grows into its pores. Unlike Gore-Tex, medpor implants are inflexible, which makes them less adaptable to some facial structures. But, it has larger pores, which allows for significant integration through the growth of surrounding tissue. However, this also means a significant amount of scar tissue develops around the implant, which makes it even harder to remove than Gore-Tex.

Chin Augmentation Recovery Time

With both a genioplasty and chin implant surgery, you can expect to return to work in 5 days. Following a genioplasty, you can resume light exercise after two weeks and strenuous exercise after 6 weeks, after which you should be fully recovered. Whereas, following a chin implant surgery, you can expect to make a full recovery and resume all activities in 2 weeks. 

A detailed outline of your post-surgery recovery and timeline will be thoroughly discussed before and after your procedure, and a follow-up assessment arranged. However, It is invaluable that you take time to rest and recover from your surgery. You may experience swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort as you recover, all of which can be managed with painkillers and cold compresses. In addition, you are advised to keep your head elevated as much as possible for 1-2 weeks following the surgery in order to aid the healing process. 

If you opt for injectable fillers, you’ll be able to resume normal activities immediately. However, your chin may feel sore and heavy for a few days following the treatment, and it’s advised to avoid chewing hard foods until these symptoms subside. In general, almost all patients find symptoms to fully dissipate after two weeks.

Chin Implants vs. Fillers

A chin augmentation procedure can be performed with the use of chin implants, chin fillers, or a combination of both. 

Chin fillers are a solution, usually containing hyaluronic acid, that is injected into the chin area in order to add volume and enhance the chin’s projection. Fillers are suitable for those who require a slight augmentation to achieve a balanced facial profile. It is administered at a clinic in one session, making it quick and relatively painless with almost no downtime. Results are expected to last between 8-24 months (depending on the filler used).

Chin implants come in a variety of sizes which are customised to the shape of the patient’s facial structure to produce an end result that looks as natural as possible. The implant is surgically inserted and placed on your chin bone to add projection and definition to the chin and the rest of the face. As it’s an invasive procedure, it requires a longer recovery period compared to fillers. 

However, chin implants offer a more prominent result, which makes it more suitable for patients who have a very small chin and therefore require an extensive projection. Furthermore, chin implants are a permanent solution, unlike fillers which need to be redone every 8-24 months in order to maintain results.

Chin Implants and Rhinoplasty

Your chin and nose are the two key features that determine your facial balance. Therefore, chin implant and rhinoplasty procedures are often performed together to achieve the perfect facial profile.  

Rhinoplasty, commonly referred to as a ‘nose job’, is a surgical procedure that alters the shape or size of the nose to aesthetically enhance the facial profile. The surgery can augment or reduce the size of the nose, as well as reshape and change the angle between the nose and top lip to achieve the desired result.

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