Although this route of jawline injections works for most patients, those with exceptionally small chins won’t see a 1:1 comparison between filler and an implant because filler “isn’t as stiff as an implant” and can “make the chin appear too long,” says Dr. Kolker, which draws out the face rather than accomplishing a taut, contoured look. Filler also can’t correct an underbite or dental abnormalities.
“For individuals with more moderate or significant underdevelopment or lack of definition, the soft, viscous nature of injectable filler is rarely enough to achieve and maintain contour in the short and long term,” he says, and adds that this is most commonly seen in patients seeking a sculpting effect for a slimmer or more chiseled jawline.
What should I expect at my appointment?
No treatment — especially for jawbones and chins — is a universal, one-size fits all approach, and selecting an injector with an eye towards finessing facial composition is the key to a happy patient outcome. A jawline augmentation is tailored to enhance and highlight your features, both individually and holistically, and the first step during a consultation is a full appraisal by your board certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist who can take your proportions into account.
“Anytime you’re building volume with filler or fat, you want to consider the patient’s proportions so that angles are not overly sharp, especially the gonial angle on women,” explains Dr. Jacono. (He means the back angle of your jaw at the bottom of your ear.)
Jawline injections are a relatively pain-free procedure, although patients may feel a bit of pressure as the filler is injected, and are typically done within 30 minutes. Drops of filler may also be added to neighboring areas to blend the contour and establish a smooth transition between areas.
Dr. Doft agrees that the jawline holds enormous power to redefine the structural shape of the face, and adheres to a less is more technique, placing “small amounts along the jawbone to highlight a defined jaw” instead of using large volumes of filler.
What are the risks of jaw filler?
The side effects and risks of facial filler are consistent regardless of area, says Dr. Doft. “The most common side effect is bruising, but you can also, very rarely, see skin necrosis, due to injecting the filler into a vessel.”
What is aftercare like?
Jaw filler requires almost no downtime. For the best filler results, the same golden rules of other fillers apply here: skip cocktail hour and the gym for 24 hours after the procedure to minimize bruising. Take arnica tablets before and after your appointment to reduce potential swelling, and use a cold ice pack throughout the day post-treatment to alleviate any bruising.
How long do results last?
As the body begins to metabolize the filler as soon as it is injected, Dr. Kolker estimates a 12-month lifespan, generally. But “depending on the product, volume used, and degree of correction,” a shorter six to nine months, or longer 18 to 24 months could be possible.
How much does jaw filler cost?
There’s no hard and fast rule for the cost of jawline filler due to the higher level of variation compared to other areas on the face. The usual suspects — surgeon demand and expertise, geographic location, as well as the type and amount of filler used — are still at play, but because patients pay per syringe, which varies from person to person, the price range is expansive. Dr. Doft estimates that an appointment for jawline filler will start around $700, depending upon the above collection of factors.