Fillers for visually shortening or widening face. What are my options? (photos)

Question

Main issues for me are long philtrum and long narrow face. Not sure where fillers should be placed to achieve the best results. 1. Nasolabial Folds I feel like my pronounced nasolabial folds add verticality to my face and could be making it visually longer. 2. Top Lip I think my long philtrum also contributes to a long face. I've seen lip filler reduces the space between lip and nose. 3. Mid Face/Cheek I think it could be a good option to widen my face. Many thanks!

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

The use of a robust HA filler, such as Voluma XC for the upper, outer cheeks would not only create a more oval, heart-shaped face, but would secondarily improve the incipient tear troughs under the eyes. The use of a cohesive, low viscosity filler to define the vermilion of the upper lip would contribute to a lip flip and to diminish a long philtrum. A small amount of HA filler added to the body of the upper lip would create a more harmonious and ideal proportionality between the the upper and lower lips. The sophisticated use of fillers in the hands of an experienced injector has much in common with "sculpting,"  and requires not only sophisticated injection skills, but an artistic eye. Injecting fillers is NOT like administering a penicillin shot according to cookbook instructions. Each area of the face (or neck, chest, hands) requires not only a different filler(s) appropriate to the specific area to be treated, but often also a different injection technique. So, make sure to consult with an experienced, board certified cosmetic dermatologist and best of luck.

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos. You would likely benefit from fillers to address many of the areas of concern you listed. Dermal fillers can add volume to certain areas of the face to create the desired shape and contour, while also reducing the appearance of nasolabial folds. Addressing an extended philtrum may also require a surgical lip lift for long-lasting results. Dermal fillers can add shape and fullness to the lip, with results that last for around 6-12 months, depending on the formula used. I recommend scheduling an in-person consultation with an experienced, board-certified facial plastic surgeon or an experienced injector who can suggest the best approach to help you achieve your aesthetic goals.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

This is my expertise and a huge portion of my practice. Asymmetry is normal and expected. Buccal fat pad gives slimming not symmetry. Masseter botox will make you slimmer and make the jawline more loose. Fillers help give shaping and contouring. If you want perfect or close to perfect symmetry you need maxillofacial surgery or implants customized. I suggest seeing an expert to go through all options. Most of my younger clients use fillers to give them shaping especially on the cheeks, jawline, and chin which make the face look more slim and tight; and threads such as PDO or Instalift can build collagen and support the facial shaping and skin looseness over time, slowing down the aging process and given the face a more “snatched” look; and morpheus8 or PiXel8 deep microneedling RF can tighten crepe skin especially on the neck and jawline and is great for long term tightening of the full face, neck and chest; its often used to give the face a slimmer more sculpted look because it tightens the skin and gives lift. an early face lift can be performed as well even in younger clients if they want a different facial shape, maxillofacial surgery with bone breaking or shaving can also be done. For facial slimming a combination of treatments are always needed. Options include: 1. Buccal fat pad removal to reduce fat on the lower face 2. Factite or Renuvion/J Plasma to tighten the lower face, jawline, and chin to reduce fat and give the jawline and neck tightening and shaping. 3. Botox to the masseter to reduce the muscular size of the jaw giving the face an illusion of being more slender 4. Fillers to the jawline, chin, cheeks, temples and brow help to shape the face and make it more angled and defined Always use at home derma rolling (see link to Emerageskin x anteageMD roller plus stem cells/hyaluronic acid ampules) and peels like emeragecosmetics enlighten or aerify that can be used to improve skin quality and tighten the skin while improving wrinkles, pigmentation, acne, and Melasma. See an expert who does facial shaping with surgical and non surgical methods to get a comprehensive option. Best, Dr. Emer.

William C. Harris, MD · Answer

Hi,
I am a board-certified facial plastic surgeon and I think there are a couple areas where filler placement would enhance your facial contours. If we start from the top of the face and work our way down, the cheek bones and midface could be accented with a touch of carefully placed filler and I would favor your right side as it is a little less in width than your left. The nasolabial grooves are really non-existent for you due to your young age, but I do see some of the length in your philtrum you mentioned. Fillers to the lips themselves is one option, but it won't truly decrease that distance. A surgical subnasal lip lift where a small bit of skin is removed beneath the nose is really the best option to decrease this distance if that is a concern of yours and once healed the incision is nearly invisible. I hope this helps and if you do choose to get fillers or surgery, make sure to see a facial plastic surgeon who has extensive knowledge of the anatomy and can manage all possible side effects.

Fillers for visually shortening or widening face. What are my options? (photos)

Answers (4)

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