What are chin fillers and why would anyone choose this option instead of surgery? Can they really work for people with weak chins? Who is an ideal candidate? If you've ever wondered what this type of treatment is about, here is your FAQ guide.
What is a chin filler?
In short, it is a dermal filler that can be used to add volume and shape to people's chins.
The treating healthcare practitioner will choose a dermal filler product that is suitable for the individual person's needs and anatomy, as well as the person's wishes and desires.
Products that can be used for the chin may also be suitable to treat the cheeks, jawline, and wrinkles. That's why clinics don't have a list of "chin fillers" but instead a list of facial areas that can be treated.
What are the differences between dermal fillers and surgery?
Here are the main differences between surgery and dermal fillers:
- Surgery can be costly1, and the treatment is permanent. Dermal fillers are temporary1, but may last up to 12 months. Individual results may vary.
- Contrary to what many people believe, chin fillers can provide considerable volume and projection.
- Since the treatment isn't permanent you can change and adjust your look if you'd like to fine-tune or explore further with the shape. Also, beauty ideals come and go, and we tend to change our preferences over time.
- Many people want to fine-tune their looks. For example, they may want a somewhat pointier or squarer chin, or to fill a cleft or treat wrinkles in the lower face. Surgery may not always be the best option for fine-tuning. However, a chin filler is very suitable for just that.
What prompts a patient to ask for a chin filler?
Chin fillers can be used in many ways. Here are some common motivators to seek treatment:2,3
- Change the shape of the chin (pointier, squarer, or any other type of shape)
- Change the contours of the chin (for example, give projection to a weak chin)
- Add lost volume (volume loss in the face is a natural development as we get older)
- Add roundness or softness
- Add angles and sharpness (yes, you can do that as well!)
- Treat the appearance of wrinkles in the lower face
Who is the ideal candidate for a chin filler?
As you can see from the list above, there is a wide variety of options to suit a spectrum of needs and desired looks. People have the right to individualize their looks, on their own terms.
Your healthcare practitioner may, for example, not treat you if you are under 18, or are taking certain medications (such as immunosuppressive medications, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or any other medication that affects bleeding).4
The healthcare practitioner will always check medical history before any treatment takes place. Make sure to tell him or her if you have received previous treatments, both surgical and non-surgical.
Talk to your healthcare practitioner to determine whether dermal fillers are right for you.
How long does a typical chin filler treatment take in-office?
Be prepared to spend about 45 minutes at the aesthetic clinic, especially if you’re visiting the clinic for the first time.
- As a first step, you will be asked to fill in a form about your health and medical history. If you are new to treatments, it may take a while.
- Then, you will have a consultation. Think through exactly what result you want so that you can provide a good description at the consultation. You can bring images to better illustrate what you mean. The treating healthcare practitioner will discuss with you what can be done to create a result that matches your wishes and desires.
- Make sure to bring up any concerns you may have about the treatment too. Together you will also discuss treatment risks and potential side effects.
- The actual treatment doesn't take very long. It is the consultation that often takes most of the time. After the treatment, you will receive aftercare advice.
Do patients experience any side effects or downtime after getting a chin filler?
The most common side effects for the chin filler Restylane® ShaypeTM are local reactions at the treated area such as bruising, redness, pain and tenderness. These types of side effects usually disappear within a week.5
There may be other treatment risks as well, such as nodules or inflammatory reactions.
You should always discuss treatment risks with your healthcare practitioner.
Is any anesthesia required during a chin filler treatment?
Most fillers contain a local anesthetic that makes the treatment experience more comfortable. There are also alternatives without anesthetic for those who prefer that or who might be allergic to the anesthetic.
Restylane® SHAYPE™ - Innovative hyaluronic acid treatment to shape your chin6,7
Restylane® SHAYPE™ is a non-surgical lower face treatment option to add definition by shaping the chin.1,2 It is powered by the next generation in hyaluronic acid science, NASHA HD™ technology.
It features proven, long-lasting results* and is readily reversable to help you be confident in making this step on your aesthetic path.8,9
A clinical study showed that 95% of patients had natural-looking results 12 months following their treatment.8*† Another 97% of patients would recommend this treatment to a friend.8†‡
If you are considering treatments using dermal fillers to shape your look by enhancing your chin, consult a qualified healthcare practitioner.
* Patients who said they “agree” or “strongly agree” with question.8
† Based on a 12-month randomized study to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Restylane® SHAYPE™ for augmentation and correction if retrusion in the chin region.8
‡ As assessed by the Subject Satisfaction Questionnaire (SSQ) over the 12-month study period (patients responded to the question at time points from Month 3 to Month 12).8
1. Stone S., Facelifts vs Injectable Dermal Fillers: Which One Is Right For Me?, THE AEDITION, 08.21.2018; 2. Chen, B. et al., Chin Augmentation With Hyaluronic Acid: An Injection Technique Based on Anatomical Morphology, Dermatologic Surgery 48(7):p 747-751, July 2022.; 3. Data on file. 43USCH1702 Clinical Study Report. Fort Worth, TX: Galderma Laboratories, L.P., 2020.; 4. Galderma Aesthetics, Refine section, Frequently Asked Questions, https://www.galdermaaesthetics.com/restylane-lift-shape-contour; 5. Restylane® Shaype™ Canadian Instructions for Use. 2023; 6. Restylane® Shaype™ Canadian Instructions for Use. 2023. 7. Galderma. Data on file. MA-56848. 2023. Technical data for Restylane SHAYPE. 8. Galderma. Data on file. MA-53870. 2023. Restylane SHAYPE 43BBJ2001 Clinical Study Report. 9. Pierre S et al. Dermatol Surg. 2015; 41 (4S):120-6.