Can Chin Filler Get Rid of A Double Chin? I Tried It
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Listen, I am no stranger to injectables and in-office treatments. In the last few years, I've tried lip fillers, face fillers, Daxxify for headaches (and to smooth my forehead, lol), CoolSculpting—I'm pretty open to it all. But for years, I've considered chin filler, bugging every dermatologist who would listen to me to tell me if it was right for me. Although I know I'll be thanking my round, youthful face one day, I'm open to options that'll help me feel more confident in the here and now.
So when dermatologist Ryan Turner, MD, had some ideas to use chin filler to balance out my chin and jawline, I waltzed in excitedly. But chin filler isn't for everyone, and there's a lot you should know before you try it yourself. Keep reading for a full run-down on chin filler from Dr. Turner and a plastic surgeon, plus a look at my experience and results.
What is chin filler?
Just like it sounds, "chin filler is used to augment the projection of the chin, which in turn can create more definition of the lower face," says plastic surgeon Daniela Atencio, MD. Typically, this is done using hyaluronic acid fillers, like Juvederm, Restylane, or RHA, which are often used to add volume to the lips, cheeks, and even under-eye area. But depending on where and how they're injected, they can do more than that. "The main goal of facial fillers is to create facial harmony and achieve better symmetry that balances out your natural features," says Dr. Atencio. "When looking at a patient from the profile view, we take into consideration their nose and lips, for example, to achieve natural results."
But why do people try chin filler? "Usually, patients want more jawline definition, or they think they need liposuction to their submental fat," says Dr. Atencio. In this case, to achieve "a more balanced look" with jawline definition, she might recommend chin filler. "Other patients do know that they have small chins and maybe want to try fillers first before committing to a chin implant, for example," she says. Chin filler can also fill in dimples if you prefer to have a smooth contour.
How long does chin filler last?
How long chin filler lasts depends on the specific filler you use, says Dr. Atencio. Generally, though, it can last anywhere from one to two years, since hyaluronic acid fillers get absorbed into your skin over time. "Other options include fat transfer and chin implants for a more permanent result," says Dr. Atencio.
How much does chin filler cost?
The cost of chin filler will entirely depend on how many syringes are used, the type of filler used, your location, and the provider you see (derms and plastic surgeons often cost more than medspas). But on average, Dr. Atencio says chin filler usually requires a bit less than a syringe, which can cost around $900, but could be up to $3,000 if more is needed.
FYI: Dr. Atencio and Dr. Turner both agree that it's not super common that a doc is only injecting one area, as compound treatments are the easiest and most effective way to get what you wanted. Dr. Turner says a complete jawline could cost upwards of $5,000.
What are the cons of chin fillers?
The biggest con of chin filler is that it's not permanent, TBH. Because your body metabolizes hyaluronic acid fillers over time, you'll need multiple injections to maintain your results. However, this can also be a pro, considering you won't be stuck with a chin you don't love if you're not a fan of how fillers look (and these fillers can always be dissolved if needed, too).
After your injection, you might experience some bruising, swelling, or soreness, but usually it's pretty well tolerated, according to Dr. Atencio. The exact downtime was minimal for me, but could be a bit longer for (or more annoying to) other people. Plus, as always, it's important to know that "there are inherent risks to this procedure—and any procedure—such as infection, bleeding, swelling, allergy, intravascular injection, nodule formation, and the need to dissolve the filler in part or completely due to complication or unwanted results," says Dr. Turner. This right here is why seeing an experienced, board-certified injector is such a big deal.
How painful is chin filler?
Chin filler isn't usually very painful, as your doctor will apply topical numbing to help reduce the pain of the injection, says Dr. Atencio. It'll feel like a few little pricks, but most patients are able to tolerate it well, she says. In my experience, which I'll explain below, it was more uncomfortable than painful once my chin was numb.
Does chin filler make your face look thinner?
Chin filler can make your face look thinner, says Dr. Atencio. It pulls that off by creating a "sharper angle and transition between the chin and the neck," she explains, projecting your chin can potentially help disguise submental fat, or what people refer to as a double chin. "An elongated chin can also elongate the appearance of the jawline profile," Dr. Turner says.
Who is a good candidate for chin fillers?
A good candidate for chin filler is someone who is unhappy with the proportions of their chin and wants to restore balance or enhance their existing features, explains Dr. Turner. It can be great for those who want to make their chin look a bit longer or pronounced, as well as add definition to your face to give a more oval or heart-shaped appearance (especially for round faces—@ me).
Who shouldn't get chin filler, though? Anyone who's had a previous chin implant or other surgery in the area, for starters, says Dr. Turner. Also, of course, if you are allergic to the filler that's used, or if you have certain medical conditions, you might not be able to get chin filler. As always, give your doctor a full medical rundown during your consultation to make sure you're a candidate.
My experience:
About my face
My biggest insecurity of all has always been my double chin and round face. It's hereditary and has been with me since the early aughts when I was but a chubby lil toddler. I'm aware it's totally natural and normal and fine (!!!) to have fat under my chin, but it irks me. So I went to Dr. Turner's office intending to make my double chin look less pronounced and make my lower face look a bit more snatched.
Dr. Turner had me describe exactly what I was looking for and show him where I wanted to see changes. Immediately, he explained that to actually get rid of my submental fat—aka chin fat—I would need something like Kybella or CoolSculpting (which I've done before).
However, by injecting a little bit of filler into the outer part of my chin, I could create more symmetry that would slightly help disguise it and make my face appear a bit slimmer.
How it felt
As I was meeting with Dr. Turner, a nurse applied a topical numbing cream to my entire chin and let me sit for 30 minutes. Then, Dr. Turner got to work. It was a super quick process—he injected a few spots on the outer edges of my chin with just under a full syringe of Juvederm Voluma XC, which is a great, rigid (but still somewhat flexible) hyaluronic acid filler for the chin.
Because I was numbed, the injections just felt like little pricks into my chin. They were more uncomfortable than painful, although there were a few spots that hurt a smidge more than others. Overall, I would give it a 3 out of 10 on the pain scale (in comparison to lip filler at a 9 and Botox at a 1).
Afterward, my chin was a bit sore and red for about 24 hours. I kept running my ice roller along my chin to help the swelling go down and utilized my Dr. Dennis Gross LED mask to help calm down the inflammation. The swelling went away in about three days, and I was left with...
My results
Go ahead, see 'em for yourself:
Just by adding definition, the chin filler did reduce the look of my double chin, although it's still there. The results are really subtle, but that's the kind of look I'm always going for, TBH.
I don't want anyone to look at me and immediately be able to guess what work I've had done. Overall, I really love the softer look this gives my face—and how it balances the rest of my features. I'm two months in at this point, but I'm intrigued to see how long it lasts, too.
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Final verdict:
Overall, chin filler can be a great option for you if it's in your budget and can offer the results you're looking for. But don't expect miracles; chin filler isn't permanent (it'll only last two years, max) and might not work with your bone structure. Bring in photos of yourself and have a detailed conversation with your dermatologist or plastic surgeon. They'll be able to tell you exactly the type of look you can achieve and whether your goals are realistic or not.
"When considering chin fillers, what's most important is to maintain facial harmony," says Dr. Atencio. That's why it's so important to have a thorough convo about your goals and expectations with your injector before you go ahead with it.
Meet the experts:
Ryan Turner, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist with his own practice in New York, NY. He's also the co-founder of skincare line TRNR Skin.
Daniela Atencio, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon at Westlake Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in Austin, TX. She's well-versed in plastic surgery and non-surgical cosmetic treatments, especially focusing on facial and breast augmentation.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with nearly six years of experience researching, writing, and editing skin and treatment stories that range from AviClear to EmSculpt NEO. She’s an authority in all skin categories, but is an expert when it comes to chin filler after consulting with multiple dermatologists before testing it herself, plus interviewing plastic surgeons.
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