Image source: Getty / andresr
If your first introduction to chin augmentation was Stassi Schroeder talking about her chin implant graduation present on the first season of “Vanderpump Rules,” you wouldn’t be alone. But in the decade since SUR servers graced our screens, public interest in chin enhancements has grown, as have desk options. A treatment that is less invasive (and permanent) than an implant, and therefore has become increasingly popular in recent years, is the chin filler.
You might be wondering: What exactly is a chin filler and what can it do? It hurts? How long does it take? Are there side effects? If you have questions, we’ve sought answers on all things chin filler from a board-certified dermatologist based in Florida Jordana HerschthalMD, and Chantel DuffeyNP, nurse and cosmetic injector at Beauty Lab + Laser in Salt Lake City. Read on for everything you need to know about the treatment.
What is Chin Filler?
You are probably familiar with lip fillers and you may have heard of cheek fillers. Well, chin filler works in a similar way. “Non-surgical chin augmentation involves placing filler directly in the chin area to achieve facial balance and proportion and an improved profile,” says Dr. Herschthal.
Hyaluronic acid-based fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm are the most common for chin fillers, but there are other options such as The RHA Collection and biostimulant brands such as Radiesse. “I prefer hyaluronic acid-based fillers, such as Restylane Defyne or Juvéderm Voluma, in this area for several reasons, including reversibility and predictability,” says Dr. Herschthal.
Talk to your injector about which route is best for you. “Having a variety of options is better so you can choose the right product for each individual customer,” says Duffey. “Each filler has its own unique properties, such as strength, stretch, consistency and more, that help [your injector] make the decision about which one to use.”
How does Chin Filler work?
Unlike other types of fillers, which mainly focus on forehead results, chin filler is often about an optimized profile. “By adding volume to the chin area, specifically and strategically depositing filler on the bony surfaces, you can cause the overlying soft tissue to appear,” says Dr. Herschthal.
“To balance the profile, we look at a client’s Esthetic Plane (E Plane and Ricketts E Plane are other names for this) and reshape based on where the deficits are,” says Duffey. Imagine a line drawn from the tip of your nose to your chin. This is the aesthetic level. It also takes into account how much your lips protrude in or out of line to calculate an aesthetically pleasing balance. “This means chin filler can only be part of the journey,” says Duffey. “Often, clients receive lip fillers in conjunction with chin fillers for optimal results.”
Open sunken chins aren’t the only thing filler can alleviate. Both Duffey and Dr. Herschthal sees patients seeking to improve other facial proportions by elongating or reducing the appearance of the lower face, as well as enhancing the jawline to help correct areas of scarring or sagging skin.
Someone “who wants to improve their profile or who has a chin indentation or doesn’t want a surgical solution is a good candidate for a chin filler,” says Dr. Herschthal. Board Certified Dermatologist Leyda Bowes, MD, echoes that sentiment. She says, “Fillers can provide just the chin volume needed for a more balanced and attractive appearance, without having to undergo surgery.”
On that note, “Chin fillers are also a good way to show people what a more permanent result will look like without having to commit to that result,” says Dr. Herschthal. If you already have a very strong chin profile, have had a previous chin implant, have certain medical restrictions on filling, or have had chin surgery in the past, chin fillers may not be the route for you.
What to expect during a date
For Dr. Herschthal, every client has the same initial presentation: After making sure they are a good candidate for treatment, doctors will discuss the patient’s goals, followed by a full facial evaluation to determine the need for chin augmentation and set expectations. The appointment should also include a discussion of the risks involved with the filler (more on this below).
“I like to watch the aftercare while I’m preparing my product and try to calm nerves by asking questions,” says Duffey. The injection process can take five to seven minutes. Duffey recommends closing your eyes as you lie down to calm any nerves. “Once the injections are done, we clean the area and let you take a look. Then the tech will give you some ice and an aftercare sheet.”
Right after your injections, say both Duffey and Dr. Herschthal, you may feel some pain and swelling for a few days, but nothing that should interfere with your daily life.
Does Chin Filler Hurt?
The short answer is yes, but not as much as you might think. Dr. Herschthal compares injecting filler into the chin area to the slight pressure you’d feel during a neurotoxin injection like Botox. If you’re new to injectables, Duffey has some advice: “I like to prepare my clients by telling them the pain isn’t terrible, but it’s more of a mind game because you can feel the vibration of the filler being placed in the chin bone. You can also listen to some of the [crackling] sounds related to filler placement.”
Distraction tools, such as small vibrators, can also be used during injections to help relieve any unpleasant sensations. “Compared to lip fillers, the pain level for chin fillers is very minimal,” says Duffey. “After you have lip fillers, you can tolerate any other fillers or injections on the face.”
How Much Does Chin Filler Cost?
There are many factors that affect chin filler pricing. These include where you live, the education and skill level of your injector, the cost of the product, and more. “Each person needs a different amount of filler,” says Dr. Herschthal. “Some cases may require less than one syringe to achieve the desired effect, while others may require four syringes.” You can expect to pay anywhere from $800 to $2,500 for chin fillers. Of course, if you want other fillers (such as lip or jaw fillers), these services will be added to your total cost.
Chin Filler Before and After
How long does Chin Filler last?
The good news is that chin filler will last you much longer than any neurotoxin injection. Your results should be good for anywhere between nine to 14 months before you need to repeat or refill your filler. Each person metabolizes the filler at a different rate, but it has increased longevity over time, according to Dr. Herschthal.
What are the side effects or risks of Chin-Filler?
The most common side effect right after your appointment is soreness, which Dr. Bowes explains, these side effects are consistent with fillers elsewhere on the face. “Bruising is always possible, especially for those who naturally bruise easily,” says Duffey. “You can cover the bruises with makeup if needed, or masks are so common these days, you can hide under one. For full healing and/or follow-up, we would like to wait two weeks to ensure all swelling and swelling and bruising are resolved.’
The most serious risks associated with chin filler (and any other type of dermal filler, for that matter) are infection and vascular occlusion or impaired blood flow. Filler migration, when the filler spreads to another area outside of the injection site, is another potential risk. “Choosing a skilled, credentialed provider is the best way to mitigate serious complications,” says Dr. Herschthal. He also advises patients to avoid alcohol. nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin and ibuprofen); and blood-thinning supplements at least one week before your injections to minimize bruising.
