Chin augmentation is a ‘simple’ and successful plastic surgery procedure for bringing the lower face into better balance with the neck and upper face. How far to bring the chin forward and how to determine that prior to surgery are important questions. But an equally important question is the difference between men and women and the chin augmentation goals between the two. While no exact statistics are known, it is fair to say that at least one-half of chin augmentation patients are female.
The traditional approach (male) to chin augmentation is to bring the most anterior chin point to a vertical line dropped down from the Frankfort horizontal line. This essentially is like dropping down a line from one’s brow prominence. While this may look quite pleasing in profile in men, such an anterior point is often too strong for many women. It is usually not aesthetically pleasing to masculinize a woman’s profile too much. I have found a few woman that felt such a chin position was too much and their implants had to be downsized slightly.
While the profile position is the most commonly viewed in computer imaging and in before after photographs, it is not how most patients see themselves. While the profile view is relevant, it is the frontal or three-quarter view from which they see themselves far more frequently. Therefore, the shape of the chin is almost as important as how far forward it comes. It is perfectly acceptable in men to develop a broader or more square chin which can happen with extended or more wrap-around chin implants. In women, however, the use of less extended or more central implants should be considered. These will allow the width of the chin to remain much narrower than the body and angle of the jaw. In other words, keeping a more narrow chin which is consistent with a more feminine appearance.
The projection and shape of the chin are especially important considerations in female chin augmentation. A chin point that lies slightly behind the ideal vertical facial line and a more centrally-shaped chin implant will keep the chin more gender specific.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana