There are two key features to a balanced facial profile, your nose, and your chin. The chin is an essential feature of your appearance and if it is understated, it will make your facial profile uneven.

Typically, a strong and broad chin is considered attractive to men. While a more delicate and narrow chin is appealing to women. However, whether you are a man or a woman and if you are not happy with how your chin looks you may choose to have cosmetic surgery to aid your appearance.

Chin augmentation, also known as genioplasty is a cosmetic surgery that redefines your chin contour. This type of cosmetic surgery is perfect for both men and women who think that their chins are not shaped proportionally to the rest of their face.

The Procedure

Chin Augmentation can be performed via two types of procedure:

Chin implants - for chin enlargements, to reshape or push forward your chin’s appearance.
Sliding genioplasty or Osseous genioplasty (Chin reduction) - this type of approach is for those who aim to have a less prominent jaw appearance.

Furthermore, a chin augmentation procedure is usually done to contour your chin and make it:

More prominent
Broader in size
Rounder or more angular
Project more
Reduce the appearance of double chin caused by a small chin bone

Good candidates for this type of surgical cosmetic procedure should:

Be in good health
Have reasonable and realistic expectations about the outcome of the surgery
Should not suffer from cardiac problems or hypertension

Before you undergo the procedure, you will need to have an initial consultation with your chosen cosmetic surgeon. During your consultation:

You will undergo a series of tests to assess your health and condition
Your surgeon will discuss other possible alternatives to the cosmetic procedure
Your surgeon will also examine and measure your face
Both Positive and Negatives outcomes with the procedure will be discussed

As for chin implants, during your cosmetic treatment procedure:

You may opt for general anesthesia or you may also choose to go under local anesthesia with sedation.
An Incision can be made inside your mouth or outside, under your chin. A pocket will be created under your chin bone and under your muscles. The implant will then be placed inside.
Your surgeon may use your bone, fat tissue or an implant made out of silicone.
Your implant will be attached to your bones with stitches or screws.
Sutures will be used to close your surgical cut. If the cut was made inside your mouth, the scar will barely be seen.

If you undergo a chin reduction, during your cosmetic treatment procedure:

You will most likely be under general anesthesia
An incision will be done inside your mouth along with your lower gum. This will give your surgeon access to your chin bone.
A bone saw or chisel will be used to make a second cut through your jaw bone. Your jaw bone will then be moved and wired or screwed in place.
Sutures will be used to close the incision and bandage will also be applied. Since the cut was made inside your mouth, scars will not be visible.
The procedure will approximately take one to three hours.

Length of Stay in Thailand

If you have been under general anesthesia, you will most likely be required to stay twenty-four hours in the hospital. Note that your scheduled follow-up checkups with your surgeon are essential to your recovery and healing. You will also need to go back to your surgeon after a few days to get the stitches removed.

Recovery Time

Be prepared to experience bruising, swelling and some discomfort for a couple of weeks. Strictly follow all your doctor’s instructions to help you heal faster.

Typically, you will be able to see results within a month after your surgery. Final results will be apparent, usually after 3 months, when residual swelling has subsided.

Aftercare

As for chin reduction, most patients can return back to their daily routines within three to five days after their operation. However, you will be advised to skip exercise for the first ten days, as well as not participate in any sports for six to eight weeks.

Implants most likely have similar recovery time to chin reduction because your tissue will also take a little time to adhere to your implant.

You will need to eat soft-food or liquid diet as soon as you feel comfortable. Make sure to limit yourself to eating soft foods and be careful not to open your mouth too widely while you are still recovering.

Success Rate

Patient reviews often highlight a Chin augmentation has boosted their self-image and self-confidence. The procedure is normally performed at the same time as rhinoplasty or facial liposuction.

However, like any other surgeries, chin augmentation also poses some risks and complications. Although these instances are very rare, it is also important to be aware of them:

Infections
Nerve damage that may cause mouth or lip numbness
Exposure to screws
Extrusion of implants
Allergic reaction to implants

Alternatives to Chin Augmentation

The most common reason for having a chin enhancement is usually to correct a recessive or weak chin. While a lot of people would actually prefer to have their facial features enhanced, not all are open to going under the knife to achieve a more appealing appearance.

Today, there are some non-surgical alternatives to cosmetic surgeries, as for chin augmentation procedure, one alternative is:

Chin fillers - small amounts of hyaluronic will be injected into your chin and cheeks to help define your jawline, giving you a strong chin. Chin fillers have a minimal recovery period and the procedure will not take long as compared to the surgery. However, the result is only temporary. It mostly only lasts between nine to twelve months, so if you want to maintain your well-defined chin, you have to go for a repeat session.