Your Ultimate Guide to Chin Fillers – Non-Surgical Augmentation for that V-Shape Face

V-shaped face in 10 minutes? Is it possible? Yes, with the advent of chin fillers, subtle improvement and projection of the chin to achieve that desired V-shaped face can be achieved as an office procedure.

Why Chin Fillers?

The chin defines the lower face and is key to an attractive face. In patients who do not need major chin augmentation, non-surgical chin augmentation using fillers is an option to improve one’s lower facial aesthetic profile. It is a quick office procedure that provides immediate results with no to minimal downtime.

What Is the Ideal Chin?

In a study of a total of 1417 Chinese individuals surveyed in 2018, “the facial shapes most preferred by responders were oval shape (39.94%), followed by heart shape (24.06%) and oblong shape (15.17%). The square facial shape with a square jaw angle and chin was the least preferred facial shape“.¹

In Asia, the oval or V-shape face is often associated with being more beautiful and elegant. This is because a contoured jawline and chin gives a more balanced look to the face and conforms to the golden ratio² (first proposed by Leonardo Da Vinci on facial aesthetics). The “ideal” human face is balanced equally between the 3 areas of the face: 1) hairline to in between the eyebrows, 2) eyebrows to the base of the nose and 3) base of the nose to base of the chin.

How Is Chin Filler Performed?

First and foremost, an examination and discussion of treatment outcomes by your attending doctor is crucial. An understanding of the desired chin shape, amount of filler needed and how the procedure will be conducted should be established. Treatment goals should be for both a subtle enhancement towards a V-shape facial profile and also to establish harmony with the rest of the face. It is also important to account for each individual’s unique facial profile and chin shape. A sharper and longer chin doesn’t always equate to a better aesthetic outcome for all facial types.

Next, various established tools to guide towards achieving a balanced facial profile should be used in the process of chin augmentation for more precise results. Looking at the patient front on, the golden ratio should be applied. From the patient’s side profile, the nasomental line² should be checked for. This is the line drawn from the tip of the nose to the tip of the chin. The upper lip should be 4mm behind this line and the lower lip should be 2mm behind this line. Often in Asians, the chin is both short and recessed (pushed inwards). Therefore, fillers should be placed to project the chin both forwards and downwards.

Thereafter, numbing cream or ice pack should be applied. Chin fillers can be introduced by using a needle or cannula to achieve projection and symmetry.  Last but not least, it is important for your doctor to mould the fillers to achieve the desired shape and to aid in tissue integration for a natural result.

Filler Volume versus Technique

Chin augmentation using fillers is not only about volume. More filler does not equate a better result. A balance between the appropriate amount of filler needed and technique such as filler placement to rotate the chin forwards and downwards is vital to achieve optimum results in a natural fashion.

Throughout the procedure, micro amounts of filler should also be placed to fill any indentations and reduce any shadowing to achieve a natural smooth and straight transition of the chin to jawline.

What to Expect Post-procedure?

Post-procedure, it is common to experience transient discomfort, tightness and swelling over the chin as hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers work by drawing in water molecules into the tissue, increasing tissue volume. There may also be bruising which can be minimised using the right injection technique.

Types of Fillers for Chin Augmentation

Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers and collagen stimulators are commonly used for chin augmentation. Calcium is found in our bones and therefore the risk of adverse allergic reaction is low.³ CaHA has a thicker consistency and tends to last longer (1 to 1.5 years) versus HA fillers (6 to 9 months). However, CaHA is not dissolvable versus HA fillers which are dissolvable.

Chin Fillers for Men

Chin fillers are not just for women. A square strong chin and chiselled jawline symbolises masculinity, success and confidence.

Chin Fillers for Anti-aging

Fillers can also be used to lift the corners of mouth and to reduce shadows caused by marionette lines (vertical lines that run from the corners of the mouth to the chin) to achieve a more youthful and fresh look.

To sum it up, the shape of the chin is important to an attractive face as it defines the lower face and plays an important role in facial harmony. Chin fillers can help to achieve a natural V-shape facial profile. In experienced hands, the desired result can be achieved with minimal pain and downtime via this quick office procedure.

References

1. Samizadeh S, Wu W. Ideals of Facial Beauty Amongst the Chinese Population: Results from a Large National Survey. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2018; 42(6):1540–1550. doi:10.1007/s00266-018-1188-9.
2. Prendergast, Peter. (2012). Facial Proportions. 10.1007/978-3-642-17838-2_2.
3. Jacovella PF. Use of calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse) for facial augmentation. Clinical interventions in aging. 2008; Volume 3:161-174. doi:10.2147/cia.s2065.

Written by Dr. David Deng

MBBS, MRCS