I want to add more dimension to my face what do you recommend? (Photos)

Question

I would like something permanent so no filler. I am considering a chin implant. I will be removing my festoons/malar bags.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

**Improving facial balance and definition**

Dear chionedepth,

Thank you for sharing your photos. Based on the pictures you provided, I do not see very significant festoons. That said, they can still affect overall facial appearance, and this area can be very stubborn to treat. In my experience, treatment outcomes for festoons can also be somewhat inconsistent, so that is important to keep in mind as you think through your options.

If your goal is to add more dimension to your face, enhancement of the chin certainly can be accomplished and may be worth considering. From your photos, the lower third of the face appears to be the area that could benefit most from improved balance. A chin implant is one possible permanent option, but whether it is the best option depends on the amount of projection needed, your bite, and your underlying facial structure.

I always recommend a complete facial analysis for my patients before making that decision. That usually includes a physical exam, picture evaluation, and in some cases skeletal analysis. The purpose is to identify all of the areas that may need balancing, rather than focusing on only one feature. Sometimes the chin is the main issue. In other cases, the cheeks, jawline, or overall facial proportions also need to be considered to get the best result.

In my opinion, the best outcomes come from improving harmony in the face as a whole, not just making one area larger. Removing malar bags or festoons may help with a tired look, but it will not necessarily create more structure or definition on its own.

It would be worthwhile to have an in-person evaluation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in facial analysis and facial implants. That will help you understand whether a chin implant is the right choice, or whether another approach may give you a more balanced and natural result.
Understood. I’ll keep future responses at about an eighth-grade reading level and close them this way:

Best,

Dr. Earl Stephenson, Jr.
ESJ Aesthetics | “Where confidence takes shape.”

Carl Truesdale, MD · Answer

Choosing a chin implant for facial dimension is often a great call &mdash; the chin and jawline are central to facial structure, and a well-chosen implant can transform a soft or recessed profile. But pairing it with the right additional work multiplies the result.
What a chin implant gives you:
Forward projection of the chin point (anterior advancement). Sharpens the profile, brings the chin into proportion with the rest of the face.
Visual lengthening of the lower face if the implant has vertical height.
A stronger jawline angle visually, because a projecting chin makes the rest of the mandibular border read sharper.
A tighter-looking neck profile, because chin projection naturally stretches the underlying tissue.
What a chin implant doesn't address:
The posterior mandibular angle (back of the jaw, just below the ear). For that you'd need a separate mandibular angle implant.
Cheek projection or zygomatic structure. Needs cheek implants or filler.
Lip support or vertical balance. Needs lip lift or other targeted work.
Midface descent in older patients. Implant alone won't lift sagging tissue.
What to consider pairing with the chin implant:
For a stronger jawline overall:Mandibular angle implants or custom 3D-printed wraparound jaw implant. Gives the squared jaw look at the back of the mandible to complement the chin projection up front.
For better cheek balance:Cheek implants or autologous fat grafting to the cheekbone area. Particularly useful for patients with flat midface anatomy.
For lower-face balance with a recessed maxilla:If your upper jaw is also recessed (Class II skeletal pattern), an oral/maxillofacial consult might be worth it before committing to chin-only correction. Sometimes orthognathic surgery is the more complete answer.
For face-wide refinement:Masseter Botox if the lower face looks square from muscle bulk. Buccal fat reduction in select patients with significant cheek fullness.
For older patients with descent + structural concerns:A chin implant placed during a deep plane facelift gives both lift AND structural augmentation in one operation. Stronger result than either alone.
What to discuss with the surgeon:
Bring photos showing your front view, three-quarter, profile, and worm's-eye. Ask the surgeon to use imaging or marker tracings to show how chin projection alone would change your face vs chin + cheek augmentation vs chin + jawline angle work.
Filler as a preview:If you're committed to permanent change (not filler maintenance), use HA filler in the chin and jawline to preview the projection before surgery. This is the safest way to test whether you actually like the new dimension before committing to an implant.
Surgeon selection:Look for a facial plastic surgeon who routinely does chin implants AND multi-area facial augmentation. They should evaluate your entire face, not just the chin in isolation. The best results come from comprehensive planning, not single-procedure thinking.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, you have not provided a true lateral view. You would benefit from a chin implant. You may also benefit from an eccentric lip lift, not a bullhorn lip lift. This does 4 things: shortens the distance between your nose and upper lip, increases the mucosa of the upper lip, increases the incisor show and pulls up the corners. You may also benefit from a rhinoplasty but I would need more photographs to give a more accurate answer.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Timothy Osborn, MD · Answer

You could have either done, however genioplasty is a more predictable procedure. Implants can move, and/or bury themselves into your chin bone (which makes a potential removal difficult). A genioplasty uses your own chin segment, which is moved forward/downward (up to you), and secured with titanium hardware - a non-conductive metal. It generally results in a very natural look. Let us know if you'd like to schedule a virtual consultation, we'd love to discuss your goals and work through some photos and simulations.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

It would be difficult to suggest chin augmentation based on these photos, there is no full face and profiles. It is quite possible that you may need it? Periorbital/cheek augmentation with fat grafts would be something to consider; in some instances, when small chin shaping/augmentation is needed, fat grafting may be very good solution. In person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon with long experience with fat grafting is recommended. Good luck.

I want to add more dimension to my face what do you recommend? (Photos)

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