Chin Injections vs Chin Augmentation Surgery

Is there something about your chin that just doesn’t seem right? Maybe it’s not quite symmetrical. Or, like many people, you may have a receding chin. An augmentation procedure can correct issues with your chin, adding definition to your jawline and bringing your entire face into more harmonious balance. There are two ways we can alter the shape and/or size of your chin – injections or surgery.

Which Approach is Best for You?

Of course, you will want to discuss your specific concerns and goals with Dr. Raval during a private consultation. Before you do that, though, there are some easy ways to compare the two procedures.

Chin Augmentation Surgery

If you elect to have surgery, Dr. Raval will use a silicone implant to enlarge your chin or adjust the shape to make it symmetrical. Silicone implants come in several sizes and shapes, so he will choose the best fit to achieve the look you want.

The surgery is an outpatient procedure, performed under general anesthesia or using local anesthesia with sedation. Dr. Raval will make an incision either under your chin or inside your mouth, create a pocket to hold the implant, secure it in place, and then close with absorbable sutures. The procedure takes about an hour. Surgical risks such as swelling, bleeding, and infection are minor for chin implant surgery. Though rare, it is possible for an implant to shift if you suffer trauma to your face in the future.

This is real surgery, so you will have to budget up to a week for recovery and wait 3-4 weeks to go back to more strenuous activities. Results are permanent and natural looking. However, although the rest of your face will change as you age, your chin will remain the same.

Chin Augmentation Using Injections

As an experienced plastic facial surgeon, Dr. Raval’s philosophy is always “less is more.” In the case of chin augmentation, he notes that most patients do not need surgery but can achieve the change they want with dermal fillers. Injectable fillers offer several advantages over surgery:

Precision

Whereas implants come in unalterable sizes and shapes, filler can be injected in precise amounts and locations to produce even more tailored results.

Convenience

The procedure requires no sedation and takes just a few minutes. There is virtually no downtime. Some patients experience mild swelling or bruising following the treatment, but it doesn’t last long. Dr. Raval recommends taking it easy for a day or two.

Results

Both surgery and injections produce natural-looking results. You will see your new chin as post-procedure swelling subsides – within a month for injections, within a few months after surgery.

Safety

Dr. Raval uses silicone chin implants because they have the longest safety track record. Nonetheless, they are still a synthetic material. Fillers are made from ingredients that are naturally, safely absorbed by the body over time.

Cost

Injections are far less expensive than surgery. However it should be noted that, while implant surgery is a one-time expense, fillers must be renewed every year or two, so the cost will increase over time.

Which Option Should You Choose?

Interestingly, although all your facial features work together to create your unique look, the nose and chin have a special relationship. A small or “weak” chin can make your nose seem larger, whereas a prominent chin can make your nose look smaller. If you are considering rhinoplasty or a facelift, Dr. Raval may recommend chin augmentation as part of your surgical plan.

If all you want is a change to your chin, you can explore your options during your personal consultation with Dr. Raval and, together, you can decide whether chin implant surgery or injections will be best for you.