Everything You Need to Know About Chin Enhancement Surgery

Though men may be notoriously more reluctant to divulge a history of or even an interest in plastic surgery, cosmetic procedures among males are on the rise. ABC’s Nightline recently delved into this trend, highlighting the changing faces of public figures such as Andy Cohen and Bradley Cooper, with the former admitting to Botox and the wider-eyed latter denying any work done altogether. Regardless of whether or not our favorite celebrities choose to be honest about their changing appearances, the numbers don’t lie: Nearly 1.6 million men went under the knife for cosmetic surgical procedures of the face in 2024, while over 28 million reaped the benefits of minimally invasive alternatives such as filler and skin resurfacing treatments. This data, as provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), also reveals a particular interest in chin augmentation. Larger chins and defined jawlines are often associated with more masculine features which, in turn, has been widely documented as a common trait among those in positions of wealth and power. As a result, many men have opted to imitate this look by eliminating their double chin, increasing projection and sharpness, or relying on a combination of both. As one of the leading facial plastic surgeons in the country, Chicago-based Dr. Benjamin Caughlin, MD, FACS, of Many Faces of Chicago, has treated his fair share of chin-seeking male patients. The self-described “not your mom’s plastic surgeon” takes a more humorous and unorthodox, though educational approach to his clientele, often trending on social media with viral videos that not only delve into popular procedures, but also destigmatize the decision to partake in these personal and life-changing alterations. RELATED: How to Make Yourself More Dateable “My goal is to take hot people and make them just a little bit hotter,” he tells AskMen. “If you can grab a little confidence from the procedure and feel better, look better, play better—that’s what it’s all about. “Nobody needs this, but if you want it, we can do it right,” he adds. We chatted with Dr. Caughlin to get his expert take on what men, in particular, are considering and ultimately doing after visiting his office. Who Is a Good Candidate for Chin Enhancement? Patients come from all walks of life and there is no ideal demographic, at least according to Caughlin. “I get probably 40% men and 60% female with a little trans population, as well,” he shares. “There's [also] gay, straight, Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, old, young. That's the beauty of a jawline. Everybody likes a good jawline.” What to Consider Before Chin Enhancement Procedures It’s important to keep in mind that everyone’s medical history and face anatomy are different. Individual goals will ultimately dictate a surgeon’s personalized recommendations and there is never a one-size-fits-all approach. “If you don’t like your jawline or neck, I have ways I can make it better,” stresses Caughlin. “We first do cephalometrics (the measurement of the head to analyze unique features such as craniofacial growth, nose to chin ratios, and skeletal patterns) and line things up. If you can tolerate projection, we give you projection. If it’s fat, we sculpt the fat. If it’s muscle, we tighten the muscle. If it’s skin, we can even tighten the skin.” “Many guys also don’t want to put up with a scar,” he shares. “I do my best to make that happen, but it’s very individualized. That’s really the key. There’s not a cookie-cutter approach to this type of stuff.” The Most Popular Chin Enhancement Procedures While procedures will be customized and often performed in tandem, here is a breakdown of the most popular, their average cost per RealSelf, as well as Caughlin’s general thoughts on efficacy and who may be a good fit. Keep in mind that the above factors, especially price, will differ depending on the doctor’s unique approach, education, experience, and location. Additional fees such as general anesthesia, hospital costs, surgeon’s fees, pre-op tests, and even follow-up visits can also drastically increase the overall price. Should you decide to book a consultation with any plastic surgeon, request before and after photos and research their certifications to get a sense of what they are capable of. Chin Implant Average Cost: $5,175 Often regarded as the gold standard in chin augmentation, a chin implant is a sculpted piece of material (typically silicone) that is inserted under the chin through a small incision and molded around the chin bone. They’re now also completely customizable and can come with wings that create additional volume to the sides of the chin. “Men can get away with more projections than women, typically,” adds Caughlin. “It's a little more masculine to have a projected mandible.” Chin Liposuction Average Cost: $3,275 While this procedure will remove submental fat, most commonly known as a “double chin,” it won’t improve a recessive chin bone. This is, however, an ideal option for those who only want to permanently and quickly remove fat via a cannula and small incisions to yield a slimmer, more defined jawline. “Neck lipo is great for a young person with thick skin and a decent fat content,” says Caughlin. Lower Facelift Average Cost: $9,900 Generally recommended for older patients to combat facial aging, a lower facelift will aim to lift sagging skin along the entire neck and tighten the platysma muscle to eliminate what’s been dubbed as the “turkey neck.” Caughlin is generally not a fan of this procedure in younger patients, particularly the popular deep plane varieties that go deeper into the neck to release and reposition ligaments rather than just pulling the skin. “I think deep plane can be complicated for many people,” he argues. “There's probably a role—typically somebody over the age of 60 or 70 with thin skin, ptotic submandibular glands, and a widened muscle plane. I'm a little bit more of an anti-deep plane person, to be completely honest, but there's likely a role in the right person.” Instead, Caughlin looks to change the structure first or touts what he’s coined “the sneaky lift”: a specialized, minimally invasive procedure designed for middle-aged patients who have mild skin laxity but are not yet candidates for a full deep plane facelift. Dermal Fillers Average Cost: $1,175 The benefit of dermal fillers is that they’re not permanent, providing a temporary glimpse at what a larger jawline or chin may look like without committing to a surgery that requires downtime and a larger upfront payment. While popular hyaluronic acid-based fillers like Juvederm tend to be more inexpensive, versatile, and easier to dissolve, they don’t last as long as Radiesse (generally one year vs. two years). Radiesse contains calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres: a biocompatible substance that stimulates natural collagen production. No matter the preference, annual or biannual maintenance alone can eventually exceed the cost of a permanent implant. “Filler is for the person who doesn't want surgery but can tolerate a little projection and volume,” advises Caughlin. “It's a great product for the right person, if done properly.” Kybella Average Cost: $1,261 Kybella is an injectable treatment that uses synthetic deoxycholic acid to destroy fat cells under the chin. That said, results are often hard to predict and preceded by extreme swelling, and it can require multiple treatments before a patient is completely satisfied. “If you have just a little isolated fat pocket, Kybella can be effective,” says Caughlin. “It does take four to six treatments, and you still swell up each time.” Skin Rejuvenation Treatments Average Cost: $225-$4,975 per treatment Though used primarily for tightening skin and not removing fat or increasing projection, the robust number of skin rejuvenation treatments (including lasers, microneedling, peels, ultrasound technology, and radiofrequency therapy) are encouraged for practically everyone at any stage of their adult life. “I think everybody can probably tolerate those at one point,” says Caughlin. “It just depends on the skin type, melanin content, and the level of outcome you want to get. But lasers are also great in the right hands and the right patient done properly.” Many plastic surgeons are also performing laser treatments in combination with surgical procedures, as numbed skin and/or anesthetized patients can withstand higher power levels and, as a result, reduce the number of future treatments and subsequent costs. Keep Your Chin Up Should you find yourself among the millions of men who are insecure about their chins or jawlines: fear not. There are plenty of treatment options to consider. The first step is finding a medical professional that you can trust to offer their recommendations and tailor a plan to your unique goals and anatomy. Once you decide what is best, you’ll be well on your way to a face that would give Michelangelo’s David a run for his money. You Might Also Dig:  Can Chewing Gum Sharpen Your Jawline?The Cosmetic Treatments Most Popular With MenHow Botox Can Help Men Stop Sweating