Chin augmentation is a minimally invasive surgery to add prominence to the chin and achieve better harmony of the facial features by inserting a facial implant into the chin area.
This procedure may be performed alone or in conjunction with other procedures such as rhinoplasty, deep plane facelift, etc.
Over the years, a number of myths about chin implants have circulated, leaving many patients with unnecessary concerns or misconceptions. In this blog, we’ll break down the most common myths and reveal the truth about this transformative procedure.
Results of a chin augmentation surgery done at The Williams Center
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1. Chin Augmentation is a High-Risk Procedure
Chin augmentation or chin implantation is a minimally invasive surgical procedure, and by no means is it considered high-risk. It can add prominence to the chin to help achieve better harmony of the facial features.
The procedure is quick, taking less than one hour to perform, and involves the insertion of a facial implant into the chin area.
This is a relatively safe procedure with low complication rates — especially if the procedure is done by an experienced facial plastic surgeon.
As with any operation, there are always risks of infection, bleeding, or poor healing; however, these complications are rare in chin implant surgeries at The Williams Center for Facial Surgery.
Safety Profile of Modern Chin Implants
Chin implants are designed with biocompatible materials that have been extensively studied and safely used for decades. At The Williams Center, we use Gore-Tex–covered silicone implants, which anchor well to surrounding tissue and reduce the risk of scar tissue formation. In skilled hands, complications are rare, and the procedure is considered very safe for appropriate candidates.
Risks and Complications: What Patients Should Know
As with any surgery, there are risks, but they are uncommon in chin augmentation. Potential complications include infection, bleeding, or delayed healing. Our team minimizes these risks through sterile surgical technique, careful patient selection, and close follow-up after surgery. Most patients recover smoothly and enjoy long-lasting, natural results.
2. Everyone Will Notice That I Had a Chin Augmentation
In the hands of an experienced facial plastic surgeon, this is simply not true. Prior to going to the operating room, our doctors and staff sit down with patients to discuss goals and expectations.
Our main goal is to give patients a natural look that only enhances their existing features.
We use imaging software to give patients a preview of their results so that we are all in agreement on the aesthetic result we are trying to achieve.
Regarding the procedure itself, many people ask, “But won’t I have a scar?”
A small incision is indeed made underneath the chin in order to insert the implant. This incision, however, is inconspicuous and hard to find once it has healed. The implants themselves are soft and feel the same as a normal chin. These implants are typically tapered to mimic the natural shape of a chin.
Some of our happiest patients are our postoperative chin augmentation patients because we can create a dramatic — but natural — result with such a simple procedure.
Natural-Looking Results With Experienced Surgeons
The artistry of chin augmentation is in achieving balance, not exaggeration. Dr. Williams carefully evaluates each patient’s facial proportions and uses advanced imaging software to preview results. This collaborative process ensures that outcomes enhance your features naturally, without appearing “done.”
Do Chin Implants Leave Noticeable Scars?
The incision for chin implant placement is very small and located in an inconspicuous area just under the chin. Once healed, the scar is difficult to detect, even up close. With proper care during recovery, most patients find the incision blends seamlessly into the natural skin crease.
We encourage you to visit the chin augmentation before-and-after image gallery for even more real results.
3. You Can’t Receive a Chin Implant at the Same Time as Other Procedures
It is often recommended to receive a chin implant procedure in combination with other facial procedures. Many patients who go forward with a rhinoplasty or facelift also desire a chin augmentation.
For example, when our facial plastic surgeons assess a patient’s profile before a facelift, one of our biggest goals is to create an aesthetically appealing cervicomental angle or the angle created between the neck and the chin.
If patients have a small or receding chin, a chin implant complements the facelift and can really improve the results.
Similar to a facelift, in rhinoplasty, the entire face — not just the nose — is taken into account when deciding what changes to make.
If the patient has a receding chin, augmentation with an implant can enhance the rhinoplasty result and promote harmony between the facial features.
Combination procedures such as these are commonly performed, and there are no issues with doing them together. In fact, completing dual procedures at one time means just one instance of anesthesia.
Chin Implants with Rhinoplasty
Chin implants are often paired with rhinoplasty to improve overall facial balance. For example, if the nose is refined but the chin remains recessed, the profile can still appear unbalanced. By combining the two procedures, surgeons can create harmony between the nose and chin for a more attractive side profile.
Chin Implants with a Deep Plane Facelift
When performing a facelift, surgeons often assess the profile and the angle between the neck and chin. If the chin is weak or receding, adding an implant can sharpen this angle, complementing the facelift result. Doing both procedures at once also means one anesthesia session and one recovery period, which many patients appreciate.
However, if you decide not to go forward with a chin implant at the time of another surgery, you can absolutely come back at another time.
There will be no issue waiting for the chin implant procedure for a later time if that is what you prefer.
4. Chin Implants are Unsafe
The materials used to make chin implants are very safe and have been rigorously studied.
The most common material used is silicone — we prefer to use Gore-Tex-covered silicone implants, as these implants tend to not form a capsule, or scar tissue, around the implant. Plain silicone implants are more prone to capsule formation.
In addition, due to the unique properties of the Gore-Tex coating, it anchors more firmly to the surrounding tissue, resulting in a more natural feel.
Infections from these chin implants are uncommon and we rarely see them at our practice.
Implant Materials and Why Gore-Tex Is Preferred
While plain silicone implants are still used, we prefer Gore-Tex–covered silicone implants. Gore-Tex provides a porous surface that allows the implant to anchor securely into surrounding tissues. This reduces the likelihood of capsule formation and shifting, while also making the implant feel more natural.
5. You Can’t Have a Chin Implant Removed
In experienced hands, the implant rarely must be removed or replaced.
However, if it does have to be removed, one of the advantages of using the Gore-Tex implant is that, as mentioned above, it anchors into surrounding tissue, but there is no capsule formation.
This means that it can be more easily removed than a plain silicone implant, if removal is necessary.
When Removal or Revision May Be Needed
Removal or revision is uncommon, but it may be recommended if a patient experiences dissatisfaction with appearance, a rare infection, or trauma that affects the implant. In these cases, the implant can often be removed or replaced in a straightforward procedure.
How Implant Design Affects Removal
The Gore-Tex–covered implants we use at The Williams Center anchor into tissue but do not create a rigid capsule, which makes removal easier if ever required. This design offers the dual benefit of stability during daily life and simplicity if revision becomes necessary.
Schedule a Chin Augmentation Consultation in Albany, NY
If you are considering whether or not a chin implant is right for you, we would be happy to see you at The Williams Center to discuss your goals and whether or not surgery would be a good option for you.
If you have any questions regarding this procedure, or would like to initiate a consultation, please give us a call at (518) 1-800-742-2797 or schedule your consultation today.
About the Author: Dr. Edwin Williams
Dr. Edwin Williams is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who founded The Williams Center in 1993. He has performed over 10,000 facial plastic surgery procedures and has pioneered the deep plane facelift. He served on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery for over a decade, and served as President from 2015-2016. In 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, Dr. Williams earned the Castle Connelly Top Doctors award in New York Facial Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Edwin F. Williams III attended Cornell University in Ithaca, New York where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1982. He began medical school at the State University of Buffalo School of Medicine and received his Doctor of Medicine in 1986.
Dr. Williams is actively involved in teaching facial plastic and reconstruction surgery to the residents of the Albany Medical Center and is former Chief of the Section of Facial and Plastic Reconstruction Surgery at Albany Medical Center where he received an academic appointment of Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery.