How would I fix an exaggerated chin while smiling? (Photos)

Question

I’ve scoured the internet but i cannot seem to find someone else that has this issue. when i smile i get dimples under the corners of my mouth. I also have always had chubbier cheeks so when I smile it makes it look like my chin protrudes and is outlined by my cheeks and dimples as well as lines pointing down from the corners of my mouth. It’s always been an insecurity of mine and I feel makes me look like my grandmother, even though I’m barely 30.

Erik Peterson, MD · Answer

Hi there!
Dr Peterson here. Thank you for sharing your concerns. I completely understand why it feels frustrating. What you’re describing is actually more common than it seems. The dimples under the corners of your mouth are often related to muscle attachments like the depressor anguli oris (DAO), and combined with fuller cheeks, can create the appearance you’re noticing. The lines pointing downward from the corners of the mouth are also related to both muscle activity and volume changes in the mid-face.
The good news is that there are safe, subtle options to soften these lines and lift the corners of the mouth &mdash; including neuromodulators like Botox, sometimes combined with strategic filler in the cheeks or chin to balance the proportions. It is a somewhat nuanced area, so I always recommend a board-certified dermatologist or facial specialist for the best, natural-looking results.
From what you’ve described, you’re a great candidate, and with careful planning, this can make a noticeable improvement without looking “overdone.”

Lexie Wang, MD · Answer

This is due to how your smile muscles work. You could try botox - I would try doing to a combination of the mentalis (the chin that seems "too big") and then also to the DAO (which is what's causing the dimpling). You need to know that this has the risk of 'messing up" your smile, at least temporarily, if it's NOT the right treatment but if it does work, then you would just need to consistently do that.

Ella Fedonenko, MD · Answer

This could be corrected by injecting Botox into mentalists muscle on the chin. I recommend injecting 6-8 units of Botox in this situation.

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Hi there,

Thank you for sharing your concern—I can understand why it bothers you, especially since it’s something you notice every time you smile. What you’re describing sounds like a combination of natural facial anatomy and how the muscles in your lower face move when you smile. The dimples under the corners of the mouth, the lines that point downward, and the way the cheeks frame the chin can all make the chin look more prominent than it really is.

There are a few potential approaches that might help:

Botox/Dysport: A small amount of neuromodulator can sometimes relax the chin muscle (mentalis) or the muscles that pull the corners of the mouth down, which may soften the dimpling and reduce the “exaggerated” look when smiling.

Dermal Fillers: Strategic filler placement around the chin or prejowl area can improve balance and contour, making the chin appear smoother and less pronounced.

Skin Tightening or Contouring Treatments: If fuller cheeks are contributing to the effect, treatments that contour or slim the lower face may help shift the balance.

Smile Dynamics: Some of this is simply how your unique facial muscles work when smiling. Even small tweaks can help, but it’s also important to keep in mind that smiles are dynamic, and complete correction isn’t always possible.

The good news is that these are generally non-surgical options that can be tailored to your individual anatomy. You’re still young, and a subtle approach can often make a big difference without changing the natural character of your smile.

Stefan Weiss, MD · Answer

Sometimes, this can be corrected with filler. However, an in person evaluation is critical to understand the alteration in facial contours with motion. Static images are difficult to use when evaluating this type of change.

How would I fix an exaggerated chin while smiling? (Photos)

Answers (5)

More Botox Questions

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS

Answers (5)

More Botox Questions

Botox alternatives for forehead lines? (Photo)

Could Botox help with skin bunching at the nose when I smile? (Photos)

Can masseter botox fix jaw asymmetry? (Photos)

Can Botox be used to maintain natural eyelid hooding?

How do I fix the line/crease/divot in my lower left chin? (Photos)

How to get rid of this stubborn line that appeared after Botox? (Photo)

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS