A strong chin has long been associated with leadership, forthrightness, and even manliness. There’s Spartacus as portrayed by Kirk Douglas leading a slave revolt in Rome, George Washington fighting the British, or even Buzz Lightyear saving other toys, “to infinity… and beyond!”

But it’s not just men who are concerned with their chins. You don’t have to be looking for the chin of an action hero, general, or some other typically masculine type.

You might just feel like your profile needs a bit more balance. And in that case a chin implant or chin augmentation could be the thing you’re looking for. The best candidates for surgery are those with a normal bite but a weak chin, or those with microgenia, the term for an unusually small chin.

Click here for our before and after photo gallery for examples of women our office has treated.

The Procedure

Chin augmentation involves the use of a chin implant. They come in a variety of materials. But because they produce a natural aesthetic our office generally prefers to use implants coated with a Goretex-like product. The implant should be good for life.

The operation may be performed at either a fully accredited surgery center or a hospital. Intravenous sedation will be administered. Surgical time averages from 30 minutes to an hour.

Dressing and bandages will be removed the day following surgery. Recovery time is generally one week. But it is recommended to avoid strenuous activity for several weeks, especially anything that can bump or jar the face. Some swelling might be apparent for a few months, so the final result of your chin augmentation might take three to four months to see.

If you’re not ready for an implant, a biocompatible, non-toxic, non-allergenic injectable filler called Radiesse (formerly called Radiance) often used to reduce wrinkles, skin folds, and scars is also an option to augment the chin. It can be performed with a local anesthesia. But since it is a temporary treatment it must be repeated over the years to maintain the look. The results from Radiesse can last two years or more.

If you’d like to know more about chin augmentation please contact the office of Dr. Rami K. Batniji M.D., F.A.C.S. at his Newport Beach location (949-650-8882) or Beverly Hills office (310-467-2180). Prospective patients can also email the staff to schedule an initial appointment or discuss any concerns or questions. Dr. Batniji is board-certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and by the American Board of Otolaryngology.