How to fix my chin / labiomental groove? (Photo)

Question

Chin sticks out, want it fixed. Surgeon said the chin (bones) is in right proportion to my face, and the part sticking out is only fat, and that the problem is really not the chin itself but the labiomental groove being deep and it's hard to fix. She said she could make an incision under the chin and liposuction / remove a little bit fat from the chin / remove excess skin but warned me that my submental space is kinda short and it might end up giving me a receding chin type look. Opinions?

Jeffrey H. Spiegel, MD · Answer

We can reduce the chin, remove some of the soft tissue, and overall shrink the chin. There are certainly limitations to the extent of what can be achieved.  Watch our videos to learn more.

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Looking at your side-profile photo, I can understand why the area between your lower lip and chin is a concern. The prominence of the chin and the depth of the labiomental groove can influence one another visually, so it is important to evaluate the entire profile rather than treating the chin in isolation.

Your surgeon's explanation is plausible. Even when the chin bone is proportionate to the rest of the face, the soft tissue overlying it can contribute to a rounded or prominent appearance. However, a photograph alone cannot establish whether the projection is caused primarily by fat, skin, muscle, bone structure, or a combination of these factors.

The main concern with removing fat from the chin is that it may not correct the deep groove itself. If the submental space beneath your chin is already short, removing too much tissue could reduce the fullness that helps create a smooth transition from the chin to the neck. This could make the chin appear less supported or create an undesirable contour. The risk depends on your anatomy and the amount of tissue removed.

There are several approaches worth understanding:

Conservative submental or chin-area liposuction: This may help if there is a clearly identifiable pocket of excess fat, but it will not change the underlying bone or reliably soften a deep labiomental groove. Over-removal can cause irregularities or an overly hollow appearance.

Targeted soft-tissue reduction: If the prominence is caused by a localized excess of soft tissue, a carefully planned procedure may help. However, removing skin or tissue directly from the chin can create contour changes and scarring, so the indication needs to be very specific.

Labiomental groove treatment: In selected cases, filler can soften the transition between the lower lip and chin, but it must be used cautiously. Adding volume may make the lower face look heavier or alter the appearance of the chin, and it does not correct every structural cause of a deep groove.

Chin or jaw assessment: If the groove is influenced by the relationship between the lower lip, chin muscle, teeth, or jaw, an examination of your bite and facial structure may be helpful before proceeding with soft-tissue surgery.

Given your surgeon's concern about your short submental space, I would be cautious about removing fat simply to make the chin look smaller. The goal should be to improve the contour while preserving enough support for a natural-looking chin and neck profile.

Before making a decision, I would want to understand exactly which tissue is responsible for the prominence and how the proposed procedure would affect the labiomental groove, chin projection, and neck angle together. A second opinion from a board-certified facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon experienced in chin and lower-face contouring would be reasonable, particularly if the proposed procedure involves removing tissue directly from the chin.

Ultimately, there may be a way to improve the profile, but the safest approach is to address the specific cause of the prominence rather than automatically removing fat. In your situation, preserving the natural proportions of the chin and lower face is just as important as reducing the area that bothers you.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Making a quality assessment for issues related to the mandible can be pretty difficult and fairly complex.
I find oral surgeons to be better at assessing facial, skeletal structure than plastic surgeons, and they do more work for this type of condition.
Consult with a few oral surgeons in your community and see what they have to say.
It sounds like your previous provider you consulted with has never done this procedure and you definitely don’t want to be the first.
You’ll be in the hands of the right provider when they can show you a collection of before, and after pictures that is thicker than a telephone book.
A proper chin reduction has a both skeletal and soft tissue components.
It is not easier straightforward and it should be done by those who have substantial experience with the procedure.
There may be plastic surgeons who’ve done a lot of these but my best guess is oral surgeons will have the upper edge.
 Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD
By the way, I’m at boarded plastic surgeon.

How to fix my chin / labiomental groove? (Photo)

Answers (3)

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