Beauty for All
Walks of Life

What Is Chin Sharpening with Hyaluronic Acid?

Purpose and Expected Effects

When injecting hyaluronic acid into the chin, it's important to first understand the condition of the lower jawbone.
The lower jawbone extends from the area in front of the ear to the tip of the chin, with a protrusion at the mandibular angle (jawline).
As we age, the lower jawbone tends to shrink.
Therefore, the lower jawbone is often larger than expected, and the technique of designing the injection site and method is crucial.

Types of Hyaluronic Acid and Their Characteristics

When injecting into the deeper layers (subperiosteal) of the chin, firmer products are more suitable.
Products like Pinéa and Volux are ideal for this.
For the more superficial (subcutaneous) layers, Volux or Voluma work well for better blending.
Personally, I often recommend Volux for those with thicker skin and Voluma for those with thinner skin.
Injecting up to the area in front of the ear can improve hollow cheeks and create a lifting effect on the outer side. Volux and Voluma are used for this.
The mandibular angle also benefits from lifting the outer side, improving the marionette lines.

Importance of Pre-Treatment Consultation

Communication with the Doctor

As mentioned, the "chin" area is broad, and the design possibilities are almost limitless.
It’s essential to discuss with your doctor where and how much hyaluronic acid to inject in the lower jaw.
By sharing your concerns and receiving objective aesthetic advice from the doctor, a decision can be made that aligns with your goals.

Your Ideal Facial Line

Injecting hyaluronic acid primarily into the chin tip will create a sharper, more defined look.
For individuals with smaller jawbones, adding too much hyaluronic acid only to the chin tip can result in an unnatural, unbalanced shape.
The ideal chin tip line is more apparent when viewed from a diagonal angle.
I believe it’s best to shape the entire lower jaw naturally to match the desired chin tip line.
If you have a limited budget and can’t afford to inject enough hyaluronic acid for the entire lower jaw, it’s good to discuss aiming for 50% or 30% of the ideal result.

Important Considerations and Risks

The artery to be most cautious of when injecting hyaluronic acid into the chin is the mental artery.
When using a needle, it’s important to confirm the absence of blood flow.
Injecting slowly is also key.
Using a cannula increases safety, but caution is still required, as there are many small blood vessels.
Maintain focus and avoid becoming overconfident when performing the procedure.

Procedure Flow for Hyaluronic Acid Injection

Timeline from Arrival to Treatment

When you arrive at our clinic, you will first check in using an automatic check-in machine.
Please scan your digital clinic card from our official LINE app at the machine.
After check-in, take a number and wait in the waiting area.
Once we confirm your documents, our reception counselor will call your number and guide you to the consultation room.
During the consultation with the doctor, the injection site, product, and amount will be decided.
Once everything is confirmed, a consent form will be reviewed, and the payment will be processed.
After taking pre-treatment photos, the injection will begin.
The procedure typically takes about 5 minutes.
The doctor will check for bleeding and finalize the treatment.
You are free to use the powder room afterward.

Anesthesia Method and Procedure Time

About 30% of patients opt for additional anesthesia during the chin hyaluronic acid procedure.
The majority do not require additional anesthesia.
This is because hyaluronic acid products often contain local anesthetics that alleviate pain and reduce bleeding by constricting blood vessels, making the procedure tolerable without extra numbing.
For those worried about pain, nitrous oxide sedation is a good option.
Additional anesthesia can be applied during the injection if needed, so feel free to let us know if you're uncomfortable.

Specific Injection Technique

There is no fixed order for injecting into multiple areas.
The doctor will carefully distribute the amount of hyaluronic acid based on the balance of your face to achieve the best effect.

Post-Treatment Care and Recovery

Swelling and Bruising Prevention

Cooling the area immediately before injection helps constrict blood vessels and reduces pain, minimizing swelling and bruising.
It’s also important to remain relaxed during the injection.
Even if there is bleeding or swelling, applying pressure and controlling bleeding can help reduce it.
Rest assured, any swelling or bruising will subside over time.

Duration of Effect and Key Points to Watch

The duration of effect depends on the type of hyaluronic acid used.
Pinéa lasts for around 3 years, Volux lasts for about 1.5 years, and Voluma lasts around 1 year.
To prolong the effect, combining Botox for the chin or avoiding excessive pressure on the area is beneficial.

Post-Treatment Life

Chin hyaluronic acid injections may cause pain peaking 2-3 days post-treatment, as the mentalis muscle is stretched, causing a muscle-like soreness.
If the pain is intense, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers.
Other than pain, there’s generally no cause for concern.
However, if the injection site becomes discolored, swollen, or red, there may be a serious side effect, so please contact the clinic where you received the treatment.

Chin Hyaluronic Acid Treatment Cost Structure

How Many cc of Injection Is Ideal?

I have injected anywhere from 1 syringe to 6 syringes.
With 1 syringe, it's usually just the chin tip.
With 6 syringes, the entire lower jaw, from in front of the ear to the chin tip and the hollow beneath the lips, is treated.
The required amount depends on the bone structure and desired design.
Please come for a consultation and share your ideal design with us.

Cost Breakdown for Treatment

At our clinic, the cost is mainly based on the hyaluronic acid product itself.
If additional anesthesia is required, there will be an extra charge for that.
Please refer to our pricing page for the cost of different hyaluronic acid products.
For example, using one syringe of Voluma and five syringes of Volux would cost around ¥460,000.

Note on Non-Covered Treatments

Since our treatments are not covered by insurance, the cost structure is simpler than insurance-based treatments.
There’s no charge for the consultation, only for the cost of the products and any anesthesia used.

Yoshiko Kuno