Although dermal fillers have traditionally been used in the mid-face, they are now being commonly used to enhance the chin and jawline.
What are dermal fillers?
Dermal fillers are products injected into the skin to restore lost volume. Common fillers include Juvederm, Voluma, Vollure, and Volbella. The active ingredient in these products is called hyaluronic acid, a sugar naturally found in the skin. Hyaluronic acid works by drawing water into the skin to fill wrinkles, folds, and hollows. Certain products such as Voluma are used to enhance bone features such as the cheeks, chin, and jawline.
What happens to the chin and jawline over time?
Over time there are many changes that occur in the face. For example, in the mid-face the cheek bones and overlying fat pads move downwards. This is why you see things like hollowing under the eyes, sagging, jowls and laugh lines (nasolabial folds). In the lower face, the chin recedes. This means that instead of projecting outward, it moves back. The level and extent that this happens is variable. At the same time, a muscle on the chin called the mentalis can slowly become stronger and further exacerbate this appearance. Your jawbone also changes over time. There is an angle at the back of the jawbone which is seen in everyone, but usually more pronounced in men. This angle flattens over time. This leads to a loss of jawline definition. Sometimes it’s hard to tell where the face ends and where the neck starts. It also contributes to the formation of jowls.
What is a weak chin?
Fillers such as Voluma can be used to enhance what is called a weak chin. A weak chin is when the chin does not project forward enough, usually in comparison to other facial features such as the nose and lips. Some people naturally have a weak chin. In other people, the chin recedes backward over time and can become weak. If you touch the base of your finger to your chin and the tip of the same finger on the tip of your nose at the same time (like making the “sh” expression), there should be two to four millimeters of space between your finger and your lips. If your finger is closer than that to your lips or if it is touching your lips, you may have a weak chin.
How can I enhance my chin with Voluma and Botox?
Fortunately, fillers such as Voluma are outstanding products that can be used to enhance a weak chin. Voluma is placed on the bone and in the skin. The active ingredient in Voluma is hyaluronic acid, which brings water into the area. This gives the chin volume. Voluma can be used to project the chin forward and/or downward depending on the person and their concerns. Projecting the chin forward also helps to define the jawline.
Botox can also be used in the chin to relax the mentalis muscle. When this happens, the chin looks much smoother, more natural, and more youthful. Only a small amount of Botox is needed for this small muscle. But Botox can provide a great result when Botox is combined with fillers such as Voluma. It is important to find an experiences injector since this is an advanced treatment area and there is a possibility of a temporary asymmetric smile.
How can I enhance my jawline with Voluma?
Fillers such as Voluma can restore volume that is lost over time. In addition to placing Voluma in the chin, Voluma can also be placed in the jawline and at the angle of the jaw. Again, the hyaluronic acid in Voluma draws water into the skin to restore volume loss that occurs in the bones and fat over time. This will help define your jawline and make it look more youthful.
Dr. Alex has performed over 10,000 cosmetic treatments with many satisfied patients. Contact us to schedule an appointment for a free consultation with Dr. Alex in our Encino, CA office.