Recommended procedure or treatment for chin/jawline concerns? (Photo)

Question

I saw these photos of me from the side and am mortified at my lack of a jawline and under chin area. What procedure/treatment would be the best way to address these concerns?

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

It's understandable to feel surprised when you see a side-profile photo—we often notice features from angles we don't see every day. The good news is that there are several ways to improve jawline definition, but the best option depends on why the area lacks definition.

From your photo, it appears that the appearance of your jawline may be due to a combination of factors, such as mild fullness beneath the chin, the position of your chin, and the natural contour of your neck and jaw. A comprehensive evaluation is important because treating only one of these factors may not produce the result you're hoping for.

If the fullness under the chin is primarily fat, non-surgical treatments such as injectable fat-dissolving agents or liposuction may help improve the contour. Liposuction generally provides a more noticeable and immediate improvement when there is a well-defined pocket of fat and the skin has good elasticity.

If your chin is slightly recessed, adding projection with a chin filler or a chin implant can dramatically improve the profile and create the illusion of a stronger, more defined jawline. Sometimes a relatively small increase in chin projection makes the neck appear slimmer without removing any fat.

If there is loose skin or reduced skin elasticity, skin-tightening procedures using radiofrequency or ultrasound technology may provide modest improvement. However, these treatments are generally most effective for mild laxity and should not be expected to produce surgical-level results.

In many patients, the best outcome comes from combining treatments. For example, improving chin projection while reducing submental fullness often creates a much more balanced and defined profile than either treatment alone.

It's also important to evaluate whether there are structural factors, such as the position of the jaw or neck anatomy, contributing to the appearance. In some individuals, these skeletal features play a greater role than excess fat, and recognizing that helps set realistic expectations.

Based on your photo, I would avoid assuming that a single treatment is the answer. A personalized approach that considers your chin projection, the amount of submental fat, skin quality, and overall facial proportions is much more likely to achieve a natural, harmonious result. The goal isn't simply to create a sharper jawline, but to improve facial balance while maintaining your natural appearance.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Ultherapy is a non-invasive procedure that lifts the neck, chin and brow, and improves lines and wrinkles on the upper chest. As we age, collagen breaks down, resulting in loss of skin strength and elasticity. For tissue tightening, Ultherapy is ideal for the lower face and neck and we often combine it with CO2 laser or Morpheus8 to further enhance results. Chemical peels and skin resurfacing should be done at least 5 to 7 days after, but can be performed earlier, depending on treatment severity.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Carmina Cardenas, MD · Answer

This is a genetics condition and the anatomical reason is because you have bulging submandibular glands, most likely excess of sub-platysma muscle fat and loose platysma muscle. So you will be a great candidate for Deep plane Neck lift to trim the bulging elements: glands, fat and maybe digastric muscle; plus tighten the pkatusma muscle. 
Non of the above will be achieved with just liposuction to the subcutaneous fat or fillers or kybela or Morpheus, because in reality your issues are not on the surface. 
Be encouraged!
Dr. Cardenas

William Portuese, MD · Answer

A full set of facial and neck photographs from all angles are required to make a better determination of what's going on. The limited photographs appear to show a recessive Chin profile for which a chin implant can improve structural support for the soft tissues in the neck. In addition, you have fat deposits, located both above and below the platysma muscle in your neck, which is going to require a neck lift procedure. With a neck lift procedure, liposuction removes the fat deposits above the muscle, and surgical extraction of fat deposits below the platysma muscle, which also includes a platysma plasty to significantly improve your jawline. No skin removal is required as long as you're less than 50 years of age. This is performed through three small access incisions behind both ears and underneath the chin.

Recommended procedure or treatment for chin/jawline concerns? (Photo)

Answers (4)

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