There is a trend driven by a desire for natural-looking results and a focus on the overall harmony of facial features. After seeing before and after images with complete fascination of reshaped jawlines, chins and noses with just a few pokes and under 10 minutes—the results weren’t plumped so much as sculpted and contoured—I wanted in.
Face fillers are an overarching term that refers to a substance injected beneath the skin into very specific areas of the face. These areas include the most well-known, such as lips and cheeks, but also under-eyes, chin and jawline. The goal is to enhance facial symmetry, boost shallow contours and improve the appearance of indented or acne scar pitting. I had to try it.
The Benefits of Jawline Filler
According to New York plastic surgeon Jordan S. Terner, MD, there are many advantages to getting filler for aging concerns. “Injectables are one important part in rejuvenating the face. There are three main tenants to facial aging. The first is photo aging, which causes fine lines and wrinkles and skin pigmentation irregularities. We address these issues with lasers and chemical peels. The second is skin ptosis. This is drooping of the skin that is best addressed with surgical intervention, such as a facelift. A modest amount can be addressed with filling, but this is a cautionary tale, as overfilling to improve skin ptosis can lead to a bloated and puffy look. Finally, atrophy of the underlying facial bone and subcutaneous tissue is best addressed with filler. It’s important to diagnose and correct these issues appropriately and with the matching modalities.”
Dr. Terner came highly recommended, and I understood why upon meeting him. He has a personal approach. “First and foremost, I always listen to the patient and their goals. I certainly try to apply my style and techniques and guide them but ultimately when you listen to your patients, you know exactly what they need and want. I assess for skin laxity, any asymmetry, skin texture, and key areas of volume loss. I assess from top down and that’s how I apply my injectables as well. It’s important to get a thorough history of any injectable usage in the past and things that made them happy or that they were displeased with. I think going slow starting off is the key. It’s always easier to add… Much harder to take away.”
My concern was second to the most-hated word “moist”—my jowls. I wanted to razor-sharp jawline, aiming high. As Dr. Terner described, “Enhancing a jawline can rejuvenate someone’s facial aesthetic very effectively. As we age, we not only get sagging of the facial skin, but the underlying facial skeleton can also recede. Building back up what you had, not changing anything per se, is the goal.”
Your neck and jawline look more defined when there is more of a distinction between your face to neck, he explained to me. Filler comes in replicate the bone and bone is what gives a more contoured look. It was time.
My Jawline Filler Experience
Dr. Terner then asked about injecting my chin, an area I hadn’t considered. “A well-proportioned chin is important in facial attractiveness,” he said. “Adding volume to a chin can enhance facial proportions and has the added benefit of improving the jawline contour. Some people also activate their mentalis muscle when they talk which can cause stippling of the skin. Injecting a toxin can smooth this out, relax the chin, and enhance the jawline aesthetic.” Yes, sign me up!
As the needle goes in, I hear some popping sounds and feel some pressure. It is a strange sensation. A feeling a few notches up from the flu shot. The adjustments are seen quickly, albeit with some swelling and soreness. Results were well worth the discomfort.
Filler typically lasts four to six months, in some cases up to a year, and then gradually dissipates. The timeline varies considerably based on the type of filler you choose, where it was injected, and how fast your body metabolizes the filler. As with any filler, bruising and swelling, can occur and there is a risk of vascular occlusion.
Choosing a Qualified Expert Injector
When choosing a qualified injector, It is very necessary to do your due diligence. You’ll lower your risks of negative side effects by going with an experienced provider and get much better results. This is not the time to price shop.
Cost depends on factors such as your location, how experienced your injector is, and how much product was use to achieve the desired look.
It’s been a few months since my appointment, and my jawline feels as chiseled and defined as ever. Nobody ever noticed “I had something done” but I did. Did the extra skin from my face disappear. No, but certainly I see the difference in definition and structure. Would I recommend it? Absolutely.
