A Complete Guide to Chin Augmentation and Implant Surgery

Although V-Line procedures and surgery have become incredibly popular worldwide thanks to Korean plastic surgeons, one of the most important parts to the formula for having a balanced face is your chin. Usually, V-Line procedures address the concerns of those who’d like their chin or jaw to appear smaller. However, if you don’t have a well-defined jawline, it can make your face appear disproportional and unbalanced. Some people with “weak” or recessed chins have the appearance of a double chin or weight gain. In this Beauty Journal, Eunogo aims to provide all you need to know about genioplasty or mentoplasty, also known as chin implants.

Who should consider getting a chin implant? 

Both men and women can benefit from chin implants, but it is important to make sure that if you are looking into getting a chin implant, that your facial bones have reached physical maturity. Because this generally occurs in late adolescence, Eunogo rarely advises this as a procedure for anyone under the age of 18. Additionally, this procedure is best for those who may have a weak chin but properly aligned teeth. For example, if you are undergoing orthodontic treatment, it may be best to do your chin implant surgery after you are done aligning your teeth and jaw.

As mentioned above, the best candidate for a genioplasty would be someone with a “weak” chin, where the difference in facial balance would be profound. Someone with a very pointy or square-shaped chin would also make an excellent candidate, because a strong chin shape can also be softened with an implant. A less obvious candidate might be someone with a very prominent nose, but who may not want a rhinoplasty, as a chin implant would help balance out the size of the nose. Because a genioplasty is much easier and less invasive than a rhinoplasty, this is a great option for those who want to balance their features. Additionally, those with a fleshy neck may also consider a chin implant to improve and enhance the appearance of their profile.

What are the implants made of?

Chin implants are usually made of a soft, pliable material such as latex or silicone. The implant itself will usually rest on the chin bone, with the wings of the implant extending from the chin along the line of the jaw. These extensions provide further definition to your jawline and can be trimmed to better fit individual patients in order to give the desired result. Because they are made with pliable material, the doctor is able to insert it through a very small incision site and minimize scarring. These are also used because they can be removed and revised without any major side effects. Every plastic surgeon will have a preferred implant material and should be able to explain the differences and what they recommend.

How is Chin Implant Surgery Performed?

Two incision types are commonly used for a genioplasty procedure: external or internal. An internal, or labial vestibule, incision on the inside of the mouth at the base of the lower lip usually provides no visible scar but involves a slightly higher complication rate due to the presence of saliva. In many cases, Doctors will use an external incision, just under the chin. A pocket is created to secure the implant in position and then is closed with stitches, which are removed an average of about 5-7 days later.

The scar produced from chin implants will be subtle and even less noticeable than something like a childhood scar under the chin because the incision is very small and stitched up meticulously by your plastic surgeon. Although the chin implant itself may be large, its material is flexible, allowing it to fit through a very small incision. Based on your particular anatomy, skin type and many other factors, your Doctor may recommend either an intraoral incision (internal) or an external incision. Both approaches to place the implant are appropriate and commonly used.

How long will the surgery take?

Chin implant surgery alone can take as little as 30 minutes, but typically an average of about 1 hour to perform. However, some patients also have additional procedures, and with that the operating time will increase accordingly.

What is the downtime? 

Most chin augmentation patients experience relatively little downtime because chin implant surgery is minimally invasive. Patients are usually back to desk work and most other daily activities within 7 days after surgery. Discomfort is typically minimal and easily controlled with pain medication or cold compresses. If you’ve had an external incision you may be wearing a bandage around your face for the first few days to minimize swelling.

What are the risks?

The risks of chin implants are low and the procedure is generally safe. Complications include bleeding, infection (especially, as mentioned above, with internal incisions), poor cosmetic outcome, lower lip numbness, shifting of the implant, and prolonged pain. All of these are rare if proper techniques are used.

Should I have other procedures together to balance my face properly?

As with any facial procedure, balance is always the key! Some patients will still prefer to have both a rhinoplasty and chin implant, while others may choose to do neck liposuction to give their jaw and neck more definition. The most important thing is to always find a doctor and clinic experienced in these procedures and to do your research.

Before and After Photos of Chin Implant Surgery