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Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery-SanFrancisco Bay Area|Marin County

“Chinplants” the Fastest Growing Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Procedure

May 14th, 2012 Miguel A. Delgado Jr, MD

Before chin implant

Before chin implant

 

After chin implant

After chin implant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the chin implant (genioplasty) is the fastest growing cosmetic plastic surgery procedure. The increase from 2010 to 2011 was an amazing 71%, with almost an equal amount of men and women. Chin augmentation even has a new trendy name, the “chinplant”.

Evidence suggests that video chatting may be the reason for the increase of the procedure. With the popularity of Skype and Face Time, people are now seeing themselves while talking. It is one thing to see a picture of yourself, but rarely before would you see yourself talking. Many are not happy with what they see, with the head tilted downward, the chin and neck tends to double up. The chin and jaw line are among the first areas to show signs of aging. The silicone chin implant extends the chin which pulls the skin of the neck tighter giving it a thinner look.

The procedure tends to make a dramatic but subtle improvement. Friends and family may notice an improvement but can’t really identify what the change is.

The increase in chin augmentation procedures is more than the increase in breast augmentation, Botox and liposuction combined. For more information on chin implant surgery, see the blog dated January 31, 2012

 

Before chin implant

Before chin implant

After chin implant

When is a Chin Implant Appropriate?

January 31st, 2012 Miguel A. Delgado Jr, MD

Chin augmentation is usually done to balance the face by making the chin longer or more protruding. Men and women with weak or receding chins are the best candidates as long as they have a normal dental bite.

When balancing the face with a chin implant, along with rhinoplasty (nose surgery) or a facelift, it may give a “finished” look with a strong profile more in line with what is considered classically attractive in our society. Many patients who seek rhinoplasty may not realize that they may benefit from  chin surgery (mentoplasty). Computer imaging is a wonderful tool that allows a surgeon to show patients how they might look with the added chin implant with or without a rhinoplasty.

Chin implants come in a variety of shapes, sizes and made of different materials.  Some implants are made of Teflon, Dacron or Silicone, and in some cases real bone or fat tissue is used. Dr. Delgado prefers silicone implants that are made of a solid consistency. They have a proven safety record and in most cases are good for life. Implants made from fat or bone can sometimes be reabsorbed.

The incision is usually made either inside the mouth or outside under the chin. A pocket is made in front of the chin bone and under the muscles and the implant is placed in the pocket or it can be affixed to the jaw bone. Dr. Delgado prefers the incision under the chin instead of inside the mouth as it decreases the risk of infection. The scar is well concealed and barely visible.

A liquid or soft diet will be necessary for the first few days. Most of the swelling will be gone in six weeks. After several weeks of healing the implant is practically undetectable to the patient.

Remarkable subtle changes are obtained by adding balance and definition to underdeveloped features. Many of Dr. Delgado’s San Francisco Bay Area patients have benefited from his refined judgment, skill and good aesthetic eye.