Is it better to use a needle or a cannula for a chin augmentation for a receding chin?

Thank you for sharing your excellent question.  More important than the method of augmentation is the experience of the injector and their ability to best understand the appearance you are trying to achieve.  Both needle and cannulas can be used to obtain identical results.  Hope this helps.

I have been performing nonsurgical chin augmentations for well over twenty years. Since cannulas were first approved for use in Israel well before their approval in the U.S., I had the opportunity of using them in my Israel satellite facilty long before I was able to use them in my Upper East Side NY office. Frankly, I prefer needles to cannulas, since needles travel through skin more smoothly and require less pressure, and in general placement of the filler is more precise with them, and, as a result of that less filler is typically needed to accomplish the job. Although cannula manufacturers claim that cannulas are safer, less painful, and cause less bruising, the reality is that microcannulas can and do puncture blood vessels and therefore can cause bruising. Furthermore, since a similar fanning method of injection, which employs just one entry point can be used with needles, as well as with cannulas, andsince the entry point can be numbed with a local containing epinephrine (a blood vessel constrictor), the injection process with a needle can actually prove less painful than with a cannula. And regarding discomfort, it should be noted that cannula treatments require an initial piercing with a needle--yes, that's right, the first site must be first punctured with a needle anyway--and because there has to be the pushing action with cannulas in order to slide its blunt tip through tissues, it can also be quite uncomfortable for some patients. Finally, cannulas are considerably more expensive than needles, which can add to the cost of the treatment. So, all in all, after having had experience with both needles and cannulas for quite a few years, with few exceptions, I prefer the needle to the cannula for its overall benefits to the patient. Hope this helps.

I suggest you see an expert both can be used to augment the chin and give projection and shape.  Needle has more pain and bruising as opposed to cannula injections.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Hi justmeeexd,Thanks for your question! In my San Francisco office I use the microcanula almost exclusively.  It greatly reduces bruising, makes the injections safer, and increases my control of where I place the fillers. 
That being said, sometimes in the chin area I will use a needle to place the fillers very close to the bone.

For the chin I will usually use Juvederm Voluma, a spongy lifty HA that lasts up to two years and is reversible. Sometimes I will add Radiesse, a more solid filler that lasts up to 15 months.

I hope this was helpful, I also made a video response to this question. Good luck and stay beautiful!

Dr. M

 Hi, I have performed many facial shaping procedures using dermal fillers, facial implants (cheek, chin), liposuction and/or facelifts for over 30 years.  Non smiling photos of your face from the front and side would help in the evaluation.    Following the beauty principles outlined in my book on face and body beauty, women look the most feminine, youthful and attractive with heart shaped faces. Heart shaped faces have cheeks that are full and round in the front. Cheek augmentation with a dermal filler or using cheek implants for a permanent enhancement will create full, round cheeks that will feminize the entire face.  Conversely, men look chiseled and handsome with angularity in the cheeks, chin and mandibular angles.



 I have performed many Chin Augmentations using chin implants for over 30 years.  When the chin is weak, this creates an imbalance making the nose appear larger, the mid face top heavy and the lower face look short that de-emphasizes the lips and allows early formation of a double chin.  Chin augmentation using a chin implant will add projection to the chin creating harmony and balance to the lower face. 



 I have found that placement of a silastic chin implant, through a small curved incision under the chin (also allows excess skin removal) to be very safe, quick, highly effective and far less invasive than a sliding genioplasty.  I perform chin implant surgery in 30 minutes or less, often using a local anesthetic alone.  In my opinion, you are a good candidate for chin implant surgery.  The chin, like the cheeks, can be augmented using proper placement of a dermal filler.  Needle delivery is perfect and a cannula isn't necessary in my humble opinion as I form, massage and shape the filler immediately after injection.  Needles have a sharp end, cannulas are more blunt on the end.  Cannulas are often used in the lower eyelid area where the tissue is very thin and there are numerous small vessels. Hope this helps.