Double Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Jacono discusses chin augmentation fillers and surgery in Allure Magazine
Injectable Fillers: What Are They, and What Do They Do?
Anyone who knows anything about cosmetic touch-ups has probably heard of injectable fillers. These miracle compounds have been indispensable to celebrities and social media stars seeking quick treatment for wrinkles, smile lines, and nasolabial folds.
More recently, injectable fillers have trickled into the cultural mainstream, targeting people of all ages. Certain brands have even become household names. Juvéderm, Radiesse, Belotero, and Restylane are just a few. They are not only extremely effective but rather long-lasting.
As popular as dermal fillers are, few people are aware of how they work. The majority of fillers are composed of hyaluronic acid, a substance that is naturally produced in the body.
Normally, hyaluronic acid acts as a cushion and lubricant in the joints and other tissues. When injected into the face, however, it adds considerable volume and gives the skin a fresh, hydrated glow. The procedure itself is quick, simple, and relatively painless.
Dermal fillers are particularly good at treating moderate to severe wrinkles and folds. They can even augment the lips, redefine the cheeks, and fill in under-eye hollows. Versatility is their greatest asset.
If classic injectable filler treatments weren’t effective enough, the parent company of Restylane, Galderma, has launched a new hyaluronic acid subtype, Restylane Defyne. This injection was originally meant to lessen laugh lines around the mouth, but the FDA has just approved it for the correction of mild to moderate chin retrusion.
In other words, Restylane Defyne can officially enhance the chin without the need for an invasive procedure. This is a groundbreaking development in modern cosmetic procedures.
“Restylane Defyne is a step forward in injectable technology,” says Dr. Jacono. “It’s not often that something other than surgery can alter such a foundational area as the chin. As a facial plastic surgeon, I find this very exciting.”
Just How Effective Are Chin Augmentation Fillers?
For people looking to address facial aging quickly and seamlessly, fillers are an excellent option. Most take less than thirty minutes to inject, and there is virtually no downtime. Patients can return to their daily activities right after visiting their doctor. Some even undergo treatment on their lunch breaks.
Generally, dermal fillers last between 6 and 12 months before results subside. Restylane Defyne is no exception to these rules.
“Patients who describe their chins as ‘weak’ can benefit from a Restylane Defyne treatment,” says Dr. Jacono. “Clients of mine who have requested it like the idea of using a filler rather than having full-on surgery. Largely because fillers are temporary and reversible. They are also less physically demanding.”
For all the benefits of dermal fillers, prospective patients should be aware that fillers cannot provide results as dramatic as surgery. Surgery also provides longer-lasting results. Surgical chin augmentation, for example, lasts a lifetime. In this regard, fillers may be a preview of what a more dramatic surgical procedure can accomplish.
“Injectables simply cannot replace surgical procedures for a variety of reasons. The majority of them are hyaluronic acid fillers, which degrade over time,” explains Dr. Jacono. “Restylane Defyne is one of the most impressive of these dermal fillers. At the end of the day, though, it only gives patients a glimpse into what a cheek or chin augmentation will provide.”
The Money Question
Aside from post-treatment results, the most important aspect of choosing between chin augmentation filler and chin surgery is cost.
Restylane Defyne is cheaper than surgery. Over time, though, injectable prices add up. This often makes them financially unsustainable options.
“Filler requires constant maintenance and re-injection,” says Dr. Jacono. “This means that after a few treatments with Restylane Defyne, you will probably end up spending more money than if you had surgery in the first place.”
When it comes to the difference in cost between temporary and permanent solutions, this disparity is not uncommon. Liquid nose jobs, which include Botox and filler injections, cost less per session than the average rhinoplasty. However, over time, the costs compound. What’s more, most patients tire of the upkeep and end up getting surgery anyway.
“I routinely have clients who become dissatisfied with the limits of injections and get something more dramatic,” Dr. Jacono continues. “In fact, as time has gone on, this has become increasingly normal. I now expect that filler patients will eventually decide to go under the knife.”
So, is chin augmentation filler worth it? Only the patient can decide for themselves.
