Many people want to retain their chin’s shape after they try fillers but are not sure if they can get a chin implant after getting fillers.
Ideally, it would be best to wait for the filler to dissolve before getting a chin implant. The filler can interfere with the final result of your chin after you get an implant. You can wait for the filler to go away but may need to remove it professionally.
Can I Get a Chin Implant After Getting Fillers?
Most people can get a chin implant after they get fillers. Many people get an implant after fillers because they want to retain their chin’s new look permanently.
However, it would be best to wait until your fillers fully dissolve or ask a doctor to dissolve them first before getting an implant.
Should I Get a Chin Filler First, Then an Implant?
Getting chin filler before getting an implant may be preferable for some patients, especially if you do not feel like permanently augmenting your chin.
Fillers can help you decide if you want to augment your chin permanently. While fillers cannot give you the same sharp angles as an implant, fillers can give you a good idea of what your chin would look like with more volume.
Is It Safe to Get a Chin Implant When I Still Have the Filler?
Ideally, it would be best for you to wait until your filler dissolves before you get an implant. Most surgeons will also prefer to wait until the filler goes away before they start preparing for your implant surgery.
Luckily, you can ask your surgeon to dissolve your filler for you if you do not want to wait. The surgeon will inject the treated area to melt the filler, as long as it’s a hyaluronic acid-based filler.
A surgeon would inject hyaluronidase to dissolve hyaluronic acid-based fillers. Hyaluronidase is a naturally occurring enzyme that quickly breaks down hyaluronic acid.
One major reason why it would be best to wait until your filler is gone would be the size of your implant. Your surgeon will have to measure your jaw and determine the size of the implant before surgery. If the filler is still there when a surgeon places the implant, it may end up being the wrong size. Once the filler goes away, your chin may look smaller.
The filler added more volume and/or projection to your chin. When the filler dissolves, the chin implant will look smaller. The size of the said implant was originally made to suit your chin while you had the filler. Therefore, your chin would shrink as the filler goes away because the implant’s size would be smaller than you wanted it.
Additionally, it also runs the risk of stretching your skin unnecessarily. As stated earlier, getting an implant while still having the filler will eventually lead to your chin getting smaller once the filler dissolves. Therefore, the skin around your chin could stretch and sag once the filler is gone. Saggy and stretched skin around the chin may not happen for everyone, especially if they have healthy, elastic skin. However, it is a bigger risk for people who are older or who have less elastic skin (for instance, those with dehydrated skin with little collagen). Their skin may look a bit wrinkled and saggy unless they get another procedure.
So, what should you do if you got a chin implant while your chin filler was still there?
One option is to get more filler injected into that area to reach your desired chin size or fill out any stretched skin. Another method would be to ask your surgeon to redo your implant by getting a larger implant to replace the previous one.
Both of these options would somewhat defeat the purpose of an implant, which is to augment your chin permanently. However, they may help if you already got an implant while you had the filler.
Therefore, if you want to get a chin implant, it is best to wait for your filler to go away or ask a surgeon to dissolve it for you.
Chin Implant vs. Chin Filler
Chin fillers can be made out of natural or synthetic materials. One of the more common fillers is hyaluronic acid fillers, which is a natural filler.
Natural fillers often last for a short time. For instance, hyaluronic acid naturally occurs in your body (Zeng et al., 2017). Therefore, the filler naturally dissolves over time, so most people notice their natural fillers’ effects for about 6-12 months.
Some fillers, particularly the ones made out of synthetic materials, can last for a long time. There are semi-permanent and permanent fillers, such as PMMA. If you want to remove them immediately, you need to get them surgically removed.
Chin implants are often made out of Gore-Tex or silicone. It often depends on what your surgeon prefers or what they think will suit you best. Each implant is specially made to suit your needs. The implant gets molded to help you achieve your desired chin shape and size.
While fillers are fairly easy to remove (provided you did not get a permanent filler), implants are permanent. However, a surgeon may surgically remove it if you do not want your implant anymore.
Both chin fillers and implants give instant results. You can continue with your regular activities immediately after getting chin fillers, but you need to recover after getting a chin implant. Chin implants create sharper edges and provide a better-looking, more permanent result.
Let’s take a look at how each procedure typically goes.
Chin Filler Procedure
After disinfecting the targeted area, a surgeon may apply or inject an anesthetic to your chin area. Some surgeons may already mix the anesthetic with the dermal filler in the syringe. The surgeon will then strategically inject the filler into your chin and jawline. The procedure takes about 30-60 minutes to complete. However, that often includes preparation time, so the process is quite speedy.
Chin Implant Procedure
First, a surgeon will mold the implant to suit your needs. Before the procedure starts, most surgeons will use general anesthesia on their patients before the surgery.
The surgeon may create incisions inside the mouth or around the chin bone. The surgeon will make space for the chin implant through the incisions. Once there is space, the surgeon will fit the implant around the chin bone.
Your surgeon will likely use sutures to close the incisions. Some people may get bandages around their chin. It may only take one hour to complete the procedure. Most people may need to rest for one week after getting a chin implant before returning to their routine. You may experience some discomfort, but cold compresses and pain medication can help.
However, you may need to follow after-care instructions for up to a month after your surgery. For instance, you would need to sleep facing up, avoid strenuous activity, etc.
Your chin may look larger than what you wanted at first, but that is very normal. Your chin area will swell after your surgery. You will see better results one month after your surgery, and you will see the final result three months after all the surgery when the swelling is gone.
Benefits of Chin Fillers
The main benefit of chin fillers is that you can add volume to your chin immediately. The results are immediate, and the procedure is not invasive.
You may also ask your surgeon to add more filler after the procedure if you feel like you want more volume. If you do not like the chin filler anymore, you can wait a few months or ask a surgeon to dissolve your fillers.
Benefits of Chin Implants
If you want your chin to get larger and have a specific shape, then chin implants are the way to go. Chin implants are usually made of harder materials compared to most fillers. The firm material lets your chin have sharper angles.
Of course, a huge benefit you can get from a chin implant is that it is permanent. You do not have to go back to the doctor unless you need to fix a complication (which tends to be rare) or want to enhance your chin more.
While they are supposed to be permanent, that does not mean you will be stuck with your chin implant forever. You can get chin revision surgery to fix or remove your implant. However, that likely means you will have to go under the knife again.
Cons of Chin Fillers
The main issue with chin fillers is that you need to keep getting them done if you want to keep your results. Most chin fillers only last for 6-12 months (given that they are not semi-permanent or permanent). While some people’s fillers may last longer, you will likely need to visit the doctor somewhat regularly.
Additionally, a chin filler may only add projection, not shape. If you want a more angular, sharp chin, you may not get that from a chin filler because fillers are usually made from gel-like substances.
Cons of Chin Implants
The main con of a chin implant is the downtime. You will likely need to take 1-2 weeks off from work or school to let yourself fully rest and recover. You will also have to follow after-care instructions carefully for some time.
Additionally, you will not see your final result immediately. The majority of your swelling will subside one month after your surgery. However, you will likely see the actual results three months after your surgery, when all the residual swelling is gone.
Which One Is Right for You?
It all boils down to a matter of preference. Many people get chin fillers for a while because it is a non-invasive procedure, then they eventually get a chin implant to permanently keep their results.
Chin Fillers: Before and After
Chin fillers can add projection to your chin, which helps if you have a recessed chin. As you can see in the photo, a chin filler made her chin more pronounced and improved her front and side profile.
Chin fillers can do more than fix a recessed chin. They can also elongate your face to enhance your facial harmony. For instance, take a look at the photo below.
The girl in the photo above did not have a recessed chin. However, a chin filler elongated her face, creating a longer, slimmer look.
Celebrities Who Got Chin Implants
It is difficult to spot celebrities who got chin fillers, but there are many examples of celebs who got chin implants.
Larissa Lima
Among other cosmetic procedures that she got done, Larissa Lima got a chin implant. Her chin augmentation made her face look slimmer and elongated, helping her achieve the “doll” look that she wanted.
Bristol Palin
Another good example of a celebrity with a chin implant is Bristol Palin. Her implant gave her a much more defined, pointed chin. She coupled her implant with neck liposuction, which made the lower half of her face slimmer.
