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July 27, 2018

[By Lee Na Vee]

The chin is often being described as “strong” or “weak”, and has also always been regarded as a basis for character judgment. Someone who has a strong or prominent chin is stereotyped to be more assertive, athletic and powerful, even if this may be far from the truth. Studies done consistently show that men with “weak” chin are less successful in life compared to those with stronger ones. As for women, a profile with a weak chin will always appear less attractive than someone bearing a well-proportioned one. A weak chin plays a vital role in diminishing a woman’s overall appearance as it is an anchor point for the eye. When a chin is too small or narrow, it tend to throw the facial proportions off balance visually, making the face, nose and neck appear somewhat larger than what they actually are.ReadySetBeauty consulted with plastic surgeon, Dr. Chia Hui Ling from the SW1 Clinic, a one stop destination for medical spa, cosmetics dermatology and cutting edge aesthetics surgery in Singapore, giving us the low down of turning to both surgical and non-surgical means for chin enhancement.

RSB: Hello Dr. Chia! How can we tell if our chin is adequate or weak?

Dr. Chia: Apart from visual assessment which is largely what it takes, a simple way to assess the adequacy of the chin is to draw a line from the tip of the nose to the lower lip. When this line is extended downwards, it should be able to touch the chin.

RSB: What are the options available for guys and dolls who aren’t pleased with their chins and want them corrected?

Dr. Chia: Chin Fillers administered via injections and surgical chin implant are two most popular chin augmentation methods which have been widely practiced across the globe with a rising trend in recent years. Both of them are chin contouring procedures that result in soft-tissue augmentation, thereby correcting profile deformities with satisfactory outcome.

RSB: Can you tell us more about chin fillers?

Dr. Chia: There is a wide array of chin fillers composed of naturally occurring hyaluronic acid that are ideal for chin enhancement. It is injected into the chin so that the soft tissue present in that section is elevated and the gets a “liquid lift”. I would carefully assess the patient and select the most appropriate natural filler that will give optimal results for his or her facial shape and in harmony with the rest of the facial features. FDA approved fillers such as Restylane SubQ® and Belotero INTENSE® are some of the fillers I use for chin augmentation with good results. As there are differences between male and female aesthetics, the knowledge, skills and expertise of your physician which governs injection techniques and product placement; will play an exceedingly important role in avoiding undesirable masculinization or feminization of features that’s not asked for.

RSB: What are the pros and cons of chin fillers?

Dr. Chia: Chin Fillers is a lunchtime procedure that’s quick and effective, giving immediate result without the downtime, risks and complications that surgery entails. It is appropriate for patients who desire some degree of chin augmentation but aren’t quite ready for surgery, or those who want to experience an augmented chin before committing to surgical intervention. Its effects are temporary and not long lasting compared to an implant. Also, chin enhancement with injectable fillers is a progressive approach, and depending upon your requirement, you might have to use a considerable amount of filler over a few sessions in order to achieve a similar outcome comparable to surgery. This is probably not cost effective in the long run, and hence is more appropriate for those who only seek slight augmentation of the area.

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RSB: Can you tell us more about chin implant?

Dr. Chia: Especially those with structural or anatomical jaw anomalies such as under-bite, over-bite or cross-bite problems or those requiring more substantial enhancement, surgical Chin Augmentation with a prosthetic implant or Genioplasty gives not just aesthetics improvement but provide functional correction as well. The well placed artificial implant often made from silicone sits under the skin right on the mandibular bone to give a permanent boost to the strength and definition of the jawline, improve upon the bite, and prevent premature wearing out of the dentition. Chin implants come in various shapes and dimensions to allow the results to be individually customised for different patients. The prosthetic implant can be placed through either small imcision made in the natural crease line under the chin or within the mouth so as to avoid unsightly external scars, and is at times combined with madibular or jaw bone manipulation to give even more dramatic correction in selected cases.

RSB: What are the pros and cons of a chin implant?

Dr. Chia: While facial fillers have revolutionized the field of cosmetics dermatology and plastic surgery, surgically inserted silicone implants still provide a better, permanent 3D improvement to the structure to the face. Chin fillers are ultimately gels and therefore cannot provide the same support as a solid implant. Over filling with injections to try to achieve adequate chin projection may result in an ill-defined, puffy, or doughy chin, which isn’t desirable. As with all surgical procedures, chin implant carries with it possible anesthetics risks and complications.There is higher initial cost and longer recovery time, with reported cases of pain, bruising, swelling and numbness that can last for several weeks.

RSB: Thank you Dr. Chia for the insightful interview! Any last words for our readers?

Dr. Chia: As with any facial enhancement procedures, there isn’t one “best” option. Some patients do better with injections, while others are better off with surgical correction. It is therefore best to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon who does both non-surgical and surgical chin augmentation to determine your specific needs, and understand the most appropriate approach to meet them.

After completing her Basic Surgical Training in London and Cambridge (UK), Dr. Chia Hui Ling from the SW1 Clinic returned to Singapore for Advanced Specialty Training where she attained her Specialist Accreditation in Plastic Surgery. Apart from her meticulous skills, as a female plastic surgeon, Dr. Chia is sensitive to the anxiety and emotions of patients faced with plastic surgery, with a genuine and compassionate nature that has earned heraccolades of praises and a loyal following.