One of the facial surgeries on the rise in recent years is the chin augmentation, or genioplasty. This surgery enhances a patient’s chin, providing anywhere from subtle to dramatic changes to the face. As people have become increasingly aware of how much the chin plays a part in the look of the face on the whole, more and more prospective patients have lined up for this procedure. If you’ve given your own chin some thought and you think an enhancement might be right for you, read on to learn about this plastic surgery procedure and what it has to offer.
#1 – Chin Augmentation Takes Different Forms
Maybe when you think of a chin augmentation, you immediately think about chin implants. You wouldn’t be wrong, but implants aren’t the only choice when it comes to this procedure. Some surgeons prefer to use dermal fillers or fat injections to make alterations to the chin nonsurgically. Others will perform a special procedure called chin advancement surgery. Still, implants are the most popular choice among chin augmentation surgeons and patients.
Within the category of chin implants, however, you’ll find variety as well. There are various materials used to create chin implants, including Silicone, Medpor, and Gore-Tex, among others. They are available in many sizes and shapes so that an appropriate implant can be used for your surgery. Implants are safe to use in the body and have a very low rate of extrusion following surgery.
#2 – Chin Augmentation Changes the Whole Face
Although your surgery may be contained to one small area of your face, the post-op results will change your whole look. A stronger, more defined chin can add definition and balance to the face, evening out the complete look. Many men and women with weaker or recessed chins seek this surgery to add volume and create a better balance overall.
Beyond the look of the face, chin implants can add so much more. Many patients experience a boost of confidence because of their chin enhancement. Where others might have thought a weak chin indicated a weak person, the new stronger chin can improve the way others view you. Strong chins are associated with strong personalities, leadership qualities, and self-esteem. Your chin augmentation could do so much more than simply make your chin look larger.
#3 – Chin Augmentation Is Often Performed With Rhinoplasty
Speaking of balance, it is very common for rhinoplasty patients to seek chin augmentation at the same time. The nose and chin are two of the most prominent facial features and share a unique relationship. In fact, increasing the size of a weak or recessed chin can offset a large nose and improve overall facial balance. Not only does this ensure that the profile will be more balanced, but it gives the plastic surgeon the opportunity to redesign a complete look that is proportional to the rest of your features. Through rhinoplasty, the surgeon will be able to add balance by changing the size and shape of the nose, correcting crookedness, or removing bumps. The end result is a smoother, balanced, and improved profile that extends from the forehead to the chin.
#4 – Chin Augmentation Is a Quick, Straightforward Procedure
Making enhancements to the chin is a fairly straightforward procedure most often performed under local anesthesia with mild sedation. The surgery begins with the placement of very small incisions inside the mouth or hidden beneath the chin, depending on how your surgeon decides to insert your implant. These incisions are usually about two centimeters in size and will heal with minimal scarring. Special sizers are used during your surgery in order to choose the most appropriate size for your implant.
Once chosen, the chin implant is placed either through the lower lip or through a small incision beneath the chin, based on the incisions used. Your surgeon will guide the implant along the bone of the chin and the jaw line to place it where it will have the most natural feel and appearance. The incisions will be closed and a dressing will be applied to keep the chin implant from shifting as the area heals.
#5 – Chin Augmentation Recovery Time and Risks Are Minimal
Just as the procedure is fairly quick and simple, so too is the recovery process, lasting only a few days for most patients. Typically, there is very minimal pain involved during the recovery, with about 10 days of light bruising and swelling after the procedure. While full healing takes around two months, most patients begin to feel healed after just a few days. There are very few restrictions involved during this recovery time.
Risks associated with chin augmentation also occur at a rate of less than 1% when performed by a skilled, board certified plastic surgeon. Possible complications include pain, bleeding, infection, implant extrusion, shifting of the implant, and nerve damage. Reduce your risks by choosing a specialized plastic surgeon with a proven reputation for success and patient satisfaction.
Visit Renu Med Spa for Your Chin Augmentation
Contact a board certified, trusted plastic surgeon to discuss your options for chin augmentation and whether or not you’d make a good candidate. Head to Renu Med Spa to speak with founder and Medical Director Dr. Philip Schoenfeld, a board certified facial plastic surgeon. He has a special interest in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, having practiced in Washington, DC since 1994. A proven track record for excellence and a personal dedication to excellence and aesthetics have earned him a significant reputation among his peers. He was voted one of America’s Top Doctors in 2013 by Castle Connolly. Contact the Renu Med Spa, located at 5454 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 1625 in Chevy Chase, Maryland, by calling (301) 652-RENU-7368. Book your appointment with Dr. Schoenfeld today to see if chin augmentation is the right choice for you.