HOW TO KNOW IF MY CHIN NEEDS AN AESTHETIC CORRECTION ?

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The chin : a key element of facial harmony

The chin plays a central role in the balance of the face. Its shape, projection, and alignment influence both the profile and the frontal view, and actively contribute to self-perception. A well-positioned chin preserves the harmony of the face, while a receding, overly prominent, or asymmetrical chin can disrupt it.
The chin is often analyzed as part of a global evaluation of the lower third of the face. But how can one know if a correction is truly necessary ? Several visual signs and personal perceptions can guide the reflection.

Chin self-assessment criteria by the patient

The chin plays a central role in the balance of the face. Even before consulting a specialist, it is possible to reflect on one’s own appearance and harmony. This self-assessment, guided by personal criteria and one’s perception of their image, often represents the first step in determining whether an aesthetic correction could be considered. Several simple reference points can help the patient evaluate their own chin.

A visible imbalance in the profile : the profile often reveals a chin imbalance. If the chin appears visibly set back compared to the nose or the lower lip, this may indicate a retrogenia (receding chin), which is common and generally well corrected with hyaluronic acid injections.
A simple test consists of mentally drawing a vertical line from the base of the nose to the bottom of the face. Ideally, the chin should approach this line or be positioned just slightly behind it. When it appears clearly recessed, a hyaluronic acid injection can restore alignment and significantly improve the harmony of the profile.
An undefined facial oval : a chin that is too short or insufficiently shaped can disrupt facial balance by making the jawline less sharp and less defined. This lack of structure is particularly noticeable in photographs or during video calls, where the facial oval appears sagging, overly softened, and sometimes less expressive.
In many cases, this impression of a “characterless” face originates from the shape of the chin. Reshaping it precisely helps restore definition to the lower face, bringing structure and harmony to the lower third while preserving the uniqueness of the features and the naturalness of expression.
A perceptible asymmetry from the front or profile : the chin may sometimes show a slight lateral shift or irregularities. These asymmetries, often subtle but noticeable in photographs or to an attentive eye, can disrupt the harmony of the face. They do not necessarily require surgical intervention : a targeted aesthetic correction through injection often allows the restoration of natural visual symmetry.
An impression of a “receding” or “flattened” chin : if you feel that your chin is barely visible, that it “disappears” into the lower face, or seems to recede in certain postures, this is likely a sign of insufficient natural projection.
This lack of projection can disrupt profile balance and create the impression of a short face or lack of structure. Moderate projection through hyaluronic acid injection can, in this case, restore new harmony to the lower face.
Aesthetic discomfort at rest or in motion : in this case, it is not only a matter of shape, but also a functional imbalance caused by muscular dynamics. A moderately cross-linked hyaluronic acid is used to smooth the skin surface.
Dissatisfaction with your reflection or photos : often, the clearest signal comes from within : a mismatch between what you feel and what you see in the mirror or in photos. This can involve the profile, the jawline, the definition of the lower face, or even the overall expression.
If you feel that your face does not reflect your personality, that your profile seems unbalanced, or that the lower part of your face appears sagging or flattened, a targeted medical analysis of the chin may be relevant.

A professional assessment

Only an experienced physician is able to make an accurate diagnosis and determine whether a correction is indicated, and to what extent. During a consultation, several elements are analyzed : chin projection (profile view), vertical facial proportions, lateral symmetry, cervico-mental angle, muscle mobility, and the quality of the chin area skin.
This analysis allows for the development of a customized treatment plan, based on universal aesthetic landmarks, as well as the specific characteristics of each face, each age, each style, and each individual desire.

Self-assessment : three simple tests to do at home

Before any medical consultation, certain visible signs or personal perceptions can guide the patient’s reflection. Here are three simple tests that can be done alone, at home, to better understand whether the chin could benefit from an aesthetic correction.

The profile test : photograph your face in profile, in neutral lighting, without tilting. Mentally (or using a facial analysis tool) draw a vertical line from the base of the nose. In ideal harmony, the chin should be slightly behind this line. If your chin appears clearly recessed or almost absent, it may be a case of retrognathia, a common condition that is now effectively corrected through aesthetic medicine.
The frontal mirror test : standing in front of a mirror, observe the midline of your face. Is your chin well centered, or does it appear slightly shifted to one side ? Some imbalances or asymmetries, sometimes imperceptible in daily life, become visible when taking the time to observe yourself. A subtle deviation or asymmetrical hollow can be corrected without surgery, using targeted injections.
The video test : film yourself while speaking or smiling. Observe whether your chin shows folds, contractions, or areas of abnormal tension at rest or in motion. A visible tightness in the mentalis muscle may indicate muscular hypertonicity or early skin laxity.

These tests never replace a medical consultation, but they help to objectify perceived discomfort, better understand what bothers the patient, and approach a consultation with greater clarity.

Aesthetic landmarks of the chin according to medical standards

In aesthetic medicine, chin analysis is based on objective morphological criteria derived from facial anthropometry research. These landmarks guide the physician in evaluating the proportion, projection, angle, and symmetry of the lower face.

The rule of vertical thirds. The human face is ideally divided into three equal vertical segments : from the forehead to the root of the nose, from the root of the nose to the base of the nose, and from the base of the nose to the lower edge of the chin. When the lower third is smaller (chin too small or receding), the overall facial balance is disrupted. A well-executed injection can restore this proportion without ever weighing down the lower face.
The cervico-mental angle. The angle formed between the chin and the neck should be between 100° and 110°. A receding chin tends to reduce this angle, creating an impression of heaviness or sagging, even in young patients.
The Ricketts line (E-line). This line connects the tip of the nose to the chin. Ideally, the lips should be slightly behind this line, and the chin should be tangent to it. If the chin is set back relative to this line, the profile is perceived as unbalanced, giving an impression of weakness or recession in the lower face.

These criteria are tools for the physician, but the goal is not to achieve a standard : they primarily help to identify imbalances and propose an appropriate, natural, and personalized correction.

Sometimes, no correction is necessary

A quality aesthetic medical approach is primarily based on reasoned analysis. It is not uncommon for a patient to consult for perceived discomfort and, following the physician’s evaluation, no treatment is proposed.
Why ? Because some chins, although slightly deviated or short, fit perfectly within an overall harmonious aesthetic. Correcting these natural variations could alter the face’s identity. In such cases, the physician will explain why it is preferable to do nothing, or may guide you to another area where treatment would be more appropriate and beneficial.
The ability to indicate or refuse a procedure reflects ethical practice, where every aesthetic intervention is considered, never systematic, and always based on genuine medical justification.

Key figures on aesthetic chin correction

To complement the analysis, here are some numerical data from clinical practice, which help to better understand the needs, the volumes used, and the results observed.

About 70 % of patients consulting for profile enhancement have moderate retrognathia, often not spontaneously noticed.
Correction with 1 to 2 ml of hyaluronic acid injection is sufficient in the vast majority of cases.
More than 80 % of chin imbalance diagnoses are made after a simple analysis of a profile photo.
The satisfaction rate six months after chin correction exceeds 92 %, with the result perceived as natural.
The chin is involved in more than a third of requests for lower face harmonization or medical profiloplasty.

These figures confirm that the chin, although sometimes overlooked, plays a decisive role in the structure and elegance of the face. Precise medical analysis allows the identification of real needs, the avoidance of unnecessary corrections, or the consideration of a subtle procedure with high aesthetic impact.

Article written by Dr Romano Valeria

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