Will genioplasty (shorter/narrower chin) help balance my large face? (Photo)

Question

I like my facial features, but don’t like my large facial outline (cheeks, jaw, chin) as "blank space". Zygoma reduction and square jaw surgery are too invasive for me, so I found pictures of people I liked the face shape of with wide cheeks/jaws, and was recommended genioplasty to achieve a more oval/heart shape- do you think genioplasty would help balance my large face? My face weight fluctuates and I'm worried a shorter chin might actually make my face appear bigger at times

Timothy Osborn, MD · Answer

As you see it now, the upper 2/3 of your face (forehead, cheeks/nose) and your upper lip are the points your eye catches first. It is very common in people with a softer chin that your jawline looks like a U. Your lower face height (from junction of nose/upper lip to chin) is short and the majority of that for you is from the short chin (vertically).  You probably notice the ridge of soft tissue under your lower lip, and that is from the under-development of the chin itself... and that is the main area that changes with weight fluctuation. With a genioplasty, you would move your chin forward, which you would see most in profile, but by doing so, it does create definition as you look from the front. The chin itself would then support your lower lip and essentially remove that ridge of soft tissue under your lower lip. Right now, your lower lip is suspended off the edge of a cliff because there is no labiomental fold (the junction from lower lip to chin). So yes, genioplasty is a great option for you, and would be far superior to an implant. It would improve your profile, support your lip, get rid of the dimpling of your chin when you close your lips (which I can see a hint of in your pic), and give you that more V-shape/heart shape in the chin.

David M. Kowalczyk, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

Good Morning! A genioplasty can help to create lasting contour changes in the face. We often look at three aspects - the profile, the height, and the frontal view. I would say the first two are the most impacted by genioplasty. You can achieve narrowness on the front view depending on how the cut is performed. An option would be to try filler like Radiesse to see if what you're looking for can be achieved and if you like it. Radiesse is one of my go-to choices for the chin as it stimulates collagen and lasts 1-1.5 years. Hope this helps!

Will genioplasty (shorter/narrower chin) help balance my large face? (Photo)

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Everything you need to know about Genioplasty

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Will genioplasty (shorter/narrower chin) help balance my large face? (Photo)

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Everything you need to know about Genioplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.