Chin Filling

What is chin filling?

Chin filling is a procedure that aims to deliver the desired form to the chin in the case of loss of volume in chin. It is a method that is commonly requested by patients who want to have an oval face and prominent chin, which is the current trend. Patients who are self-conscious about having a structurally small chin can easily have their desired chin by this method. Chin filling is also employed to easily resolve tissue loss and deformations in the chin caused by an accident.

Which materials are used for filling?

There are three main methods for filling. The first method involves injection of hyaluronic acid, which is a moisturizing agent already present in our body. The second method involves injection of fat which is isolated from the patient's own fat. The third method involves stem-cell based fat injection.

Is it a painful application?

A chin filling procedure performed using hyaluronic acid is painless. In the office, an anesthetic cream is applied to the patient; in about half an hour, the patient reaches the level in which s/he will feel least pain as a result of the injection and the procedure is applied.
In the case of a fat injection or a stem cell-based fat injection, the patient should first undergo liposuction for fat removal.

What are the most common deformities seen on the chin?

The most common deformity seen on the chin is a congenitally small or asymmetric chin in proportion to the face. Tissue loss and deformities due to accidents and traumas are other complaints that can be resolved by filling applications. Similarly, weakening of the chin tissue with aging over time and excessive curvature of the chin are some of the common deformities.

Filling application is useful for:

Correcting volume loss and deformities in the chin.

How is chin filling performed?

If the chin filling is performed with hyaluronic acid, in the office, an anesthetic cream is applied to the patient; in about half an hour, the patient's chin will be anesthetized up to the level in which s/he will feel least pain as a result of the injection and then the procedure is applied to the patient.

If fat filling will be applied, the patient should first undergo liposuction for removal of adequate amount of fat from either the hips or abdominal region according to the patient's condition. Then, the doctor renders the fat removed under operating room conditions injectable to the face and fat injection to the chin is performed.

Who should apply chin filling?

If the chin filling is performed using hyaluronic acid, it is performed by a plastic surgeon, or a dermatologist or a medical aesthetician.

If the chin filling is performed by fat injection or stem cell-based fat injection, it can only be performed by a plastic surgeon. Where stem cell-based fat injection will be made, the fat isolated from the patient should be sent to a stem-cell laboratory approved by Ministry of Health for replication of stem cells in the fat.

Duration of application

The chin filling procedure performed using hyaluronic acid takes about a total of 1 hour, including half an hour, which is the time for the anesthetic cream to show its effect, and a maximum period of half an hour for filling application.

The chin filling procedure performed by fat filling is a surgical procedure, including fat removal from either hips or the abdominal region of the patient by liposuction method and then rendering that fat injectable to the chin, and takes about 2 hours. The chin filling procedure performed by stem cell-based fat injection, fat is surgically removed from the patient and this procedure takes about 1-2 hours. Afterwards, the fat obtained for replication and isolation of the desired number of stem cells is sent to the Ministry of Health-approved stem cell laboratory, and the stem cells are allowed to grow, which takes about 3-6 weeks. Once the desired number of stem cells are obtained, the chin filling is applied to the patient.

Advantages of chin filling

Chin filling is a highly advantageous application because it delivers the desired form and volume to the patient without need for a major surgical intervention.

How long does the effect of chin filling last?

The effects of the chin filling performed using hyaluronic acid last for 6-12 months, of that performed using filler material isolated from a person's own fat last for 2-3 years and of that performed using stem cell-based fat injection for about 5 years.

Side effects of chin filling

Chin filling has no side effect.

How is the healing process of chin filling?

The chin filling performed using hyaluronic acid does not require a recovery period; any bruising or swelling that may occur can be easily resolved with cold application and creams applied externally and the patient can resume normal activities shortly after the procedure. In the case of chin filling procedure performed by fat injection, it may take about 1-2 weeks for the patient to recover from liposuction and for any bruising and edema resulting from fat injection to subside.

Who cannot have chin filling?

Patients for whom filling procedure is not indicated by chin filling doctors for various health reasons cannot have this procedure.

Do edema and swelling occur after chin filling?

The chin filling performed using hyaluronic acid may cause minor bruising and swellings, which will subside quickly with cold compression and application of creams. In the case of fat injections, this period is 1-2 weeks.

Is chin filling a safe procedure?

Chin filling is a safe procedure as long as it is performed by specialists.

Is chin filling permanent?

The effects of the chin filling performed using hyaluronic acid last for 6 months to 1 year. The effects of the chin filling performed using fat filler last for about 2-3 years. The effects of the chin filling performed using stem-cell based fat injection last for 5 years.