Dermal fillers: treatment guide
Chin filler: what it is, results, side effects and cost
What is chin filler?
Chin filler is an injection of a dermal filler gel, placed deep under the skin or on top of the bone, to add volume to the chin and improve its profile. The FDA has approved specific hyaluronic acid fillers for chin augmentation in adults over 21, including Juvederm Voluma XC, Restylane Defyne and Restylane Lyft with Lidocaine. Results are temporary because the filler is absorbed over time.[1][2][3][4][5]
Chin filler quick facts
| What it is | An injectable dermal filler, a medical device implant, placed in the chin region to add volume[1][3] |
|---|---|
| FDA-approved products for the chin | Juvederm Voluma XC, Restylane Defyne and Restylane Lyft with Lidocaine, each approved for chin augmentation in adults over 21[3][4][5] |
| Where it is placed | Deep injection, under the skin (subcutaneous) and/or on top of the bone (supraperiosteal)[3][4][5] |
| How long it lasts | Temporary. The FDA says hyaluronic acid filler effects last approximately 6 to 12 months; in one randomized trial of Restylane Defyne for the chin, effectiveness was sustained through 48 weeks[2][6] |
| Treatment time | About 15 minutes to an hour, depending on how many areas are treated[7] |
| Downtime | Most activities can be resumed right away; avoid intense physical activity for the first 24 to 48 hours[8] |
| Typical sessions | Repeat treatments are needed at intervals to maintain the correction[1][9] |
| Cost | Varies by clinic and area. Depends on the provider, the type of filler and procedure, the time involved and location.[10] |
| Insurance | Dermal fillers are not covered by health insurance[10] |
How chin filler works
The chin affects the overall balance and harmony of the face.[6] Plastic surgeons often suggest procedures on the chin and jawline to improve the proportions of the face, and the size of the chin can change how large the nose looks.[11] Chin filler adds volume to the chin region to improve the chin profile, without surgery.[3][4]
The fillers approved for the chin are made of hyaluronic acid, a type of sugar that is naturally present in body tissues such as skin and cartilage. In gel form it binds water and swells, which creates a filling effect, and it is often chemically crosslinked so that it lasts longer in the body.[2][3][4][5] Some fillers also contain lidocaine, a local anesthetic meant to reduce discomfort during the injection.[2]
Which fillers are FDA approved for the chin?
The FDA approves dermal fillers product by product and area by area, so not every filler is approved for every part of the face.[1] Three hyaluronic acid fillers carry an FDA approval for chin augmentation:
- Juvederm Voluma XC: augmentation of the chin region to improve the chin profile in adults over the age of 21, injected deep (subcutaneous and/or supraperiosteal)[3]
- Restylane Defyne: augmentation of the chin region to improve the chin profile in people over 21 with mild to moderate chin retrusion (a chin that sits back)[4]
- Restylane Lyft with Lidocaine: augmentation of the chin region to improve the chin profile in people over 21 with mild to moderate chin retrusion[5]
In a randomized trial behind one of these approvals, 140 adults with mild to moderate chin retrusion received Restylane Defyne (107 people) or no treatment (33 people). At week 12, 81 percent of treated participants improved by at least one grade on a chin retrusion scale, compared with 6 percent of the untreated group, and the difference held at week 48 (74 percent versus 11 percent). Treatment-related side effects were mild to moderate.[6]
Chin filler is one of several dermal filler treatments. It is often considered together with jawline filler when the goal is a more defined lower face.
What to expect, step by step
- Before your consultation: preview it in the appIf you like, scan your face in the SkinSync AI app and look at an illustrative chin filler simulation, so you can show your provider what you have in mind. A simulation does not predict your outcome, and your provider decides what is appropriate for you.
- Choose a qualified providerThe FDA recommends a licensed health care provider with experience in dermatology or plastic surgery who is trained to inject fillers. Ask which product will be used, whether it is approved for the chin, and read its patient labeling.[1]
- Consultation and mappingYour provider evaluates your face and the area to be treated. Injection points may be marked, and photos may be taken.[7] Mention any bleeding disorder, severe allergies, allergy to lidocaine, or active skin inflammation or infection.[1]
- Cleansing and numbingThe skin is cleansed with an antibacterial agent. Discomfort can be eased with a cold instrument, a numbing ointment or local anesthetic. The injections are not painless but are usually easily tolerated.[7]
- InjectionEach injection takes only a few moments. Your provider injects, massages and evaluates, adding filler as needed. The whole visit can take 15 minutes to an hour.[7]
- Right afterYou may be offered an ice pack. The area can feel tender for a day or two, and swelling, bruising, redness, temporary numbness or small lumps can appear at first. Most of this improves within hours or a few days.[7][8]
- MaintenanceFillers are absorbed over time, so treatment is repeated at intervals to keep the correction. How long it lasts depends on the filler material and the area injected.[1][9]
Side effects and who should avoid chin filler
Common side effects
Most side effects, such as swelling and bruising, appear shortly after the injection and many go away within a few days to weeks.[1] The FDA lists these common risks:
Other possible problems include lumps or filler you can feel under the skin, asymmetry, and under- or over-correction.[9] Less commonly, swelling or redness can flare near the injection site after a viral or bacterial illness, a vaccination or a dental procedure, and raised bumps (nodules or granulomas) can form that may need treatment. Infection and allergic reactions are also possible, and some side effects can appear weeks, months or years after the injection.[1]
Serious but rare: injection into a blood vessel
The most concerning risk of any dermal filler is unintended injection into a blood vessel, which can block blood flow. The chance is low, but complications can be serious and may be permanent, including tissue death (necrosis), vision problems including blindness, and stroke.[1][9] Get medical help right away if you have unusual pain, vision changes, skin near the injection site that turns white, gray or blue, or any sign of a stroke during or shortly after treatment.[1]
Who should avoid chin filler or talk to a provider first
- Under 22: fillers are approved for adults 22 and older, and safety in younger people is unknown[1]
- Pregnant or breastfeeding: safety is unknown[1]
- Prone to keloids or thick scars: safety is unknown[1]
- Active skin inflammation or infection such as cysts, pimples, rashes or hives: treatment should be delayed until it is managed[1]
- Bleeding disorder, severe allergies or a history of anaphylaxis[1]
- Allergy to lidocaine or to bacteria-derived ingredients (some hyaluronic acid is made by bacterial fermentation)[1]
The FDA also advises never injecting yourself with filler and never buying filler online, because products may be counterfeit or not approved in the U.S.[1]
Aftercare
- Avoid intense physical activity for the first 24 to 48 hours to help limit swelling and bruising[8]
- Icing can help with swelling and tenderness; follow your provider's instructions on icing and massage[8]
- Follow the specific recovery plan your provider gives you, since recovery varies by person and by filler[8]
- Swelling or redness near the site can flare after an illness, a vaccination or a dental procedure, so let your provider know if this happens[1]
- Seek care immediately for visual disturbances, especially with pain or weakness on one side of the body[8]
Chin filler vs chin implant
A chin that sits back can be treated with filler or with surgery. Surgical chin augmentation usually means placing a shaped implant directly on the bone, and in some cases the jawbone itself is moved forward (genioplasty).[11] Filler can be an alternative for chin augmentation that may last for a shorter time.[11]
| Chin filler | Chin implant | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Hyaluronic acid gel injected under the skin and/or on the bone[3][4][5] | A shaped implant placed directly on the chin bone[11] |
| Incision | None; injections with a needle[7] | A small incision inside the mouth or under the chin, closed with sutures[11] |
| Recovery | Most activities right away; avoid intense exercise for 24 to 48 hours[8] | Mild swelling for a few days; most people return to work within a week, and healing continues for several weeks[11][13] |
| How long it lasts | Temporary; repeat treatments needed[1][9] | Filler may last for a shorter duration than surgery[11] |
| Specific risks | Injection into a blood vessel, nodules, lumps, asymmetry[1][9] | Anesthesia risks, implant displacement, scar tissue around the implant, infection, numbness, scarring[12] |
| Reversal or removal | Removal may need injections, surgery or other treatment, and can be difficult, especially for fillers not made of hyaluronic acid[1] | Risks include the possibility of revisional surgery[12] |
Filler adds volume, so it is used to build up a chin, not to make one smaller. A chin that projects too far is reduced surgically, by removing and contouring bone.[1][11]
Which approach suits you is a decision to make with a licensed provider.
Frequently asked questions about chin filler
How long does chin filler last?
It is temporary. The FDA says hyaluronic acid filler effects last approximately 6 to 12 months, and that duration depends on the filler material and the area injected. In a randomized trial of Restylane Defyne for the chin, the improvement was sustained through 48 weeks.[1][2][6]
Is chin filler FDA approved?
Yes, for specific products. Juvederm Voluma XC, Restylane Defyne and Restylane Lyft with Lidocaine are FDA approved for augmentation of the chin region in adults over 21. The FDA approves different products for different areas, so ask your provider which filler they plan to use.[1][3][4][5]
Does chin filler hurt?
The injections are not painless, but they are usually easily tolerated. Providers can numb the skin with a cold instrument, an anesthetic ointment or local anesthetic, and some fillers contain lidocaine.[2][7]
How much does chin filler cost?
Varies by clinic and area. Your price depends on the provider, the type of filler and procedure, the time involved and your location. Health insurance does not cover dermal fillers.[10]
Is there downtime after chin filler?
Very little for most people. You can resume most activities right away, but it is recommended to avoid intense physical activity for 24 to 48 hours. Swelling, bruising and tenderness usually improve within hours to a few days.[7][8]
What are the risks of chin filler?
Common side effects include bruising, redness, swelling, pain, tenderness and itching. Rare but serious risks include injection into a blood vessel, which can cause tissue death, vision problems including blindness, or stroke.[1][9]
Should I get chin filler or a chin implant?
Filler is a nonsurgical way to add volume to the chin and is temporary. An implant is placed surgically through a small incision and needs about a week before most people return to work. Filler may last for a shorter duration than surgery. A licensed provider can help you weigh the options.[11][1]
Who should not get chin filler?
Fillers are approved for adults 22 and older. Safety is unknown during pregnancy or breastfeeding and in people prone to keloids. Tell your provider about active skin inflammation or infection, bleeding disorders, severe allergies, or a lidocaine allergy.[1]
Can chin filler be removed?
If filler needs to be removed or reduced, it may take injections, surgery or other treatments, which carry their own risks. The FDA notes removal can be difficult or impossible, especially for permanent fillers or fillers not made of hyaluronic acid.[1]
Can I combine chin filler with Botox?
Some people consider both, but the FDA notes that the safety of dermal fillers used together with neuromodulators such as Botox has not been evaluated in controlled clinical studies. Discuss any combination with your provider. Learn more in our Botox guide.[1]
Can I preview chin filler before I book?
Yes. The SkinSync AI app lets you scan your face and see an illustrative chin filler simulation on a 3D model from the front and both sides. Simulations are illustrative and do not predict results; a licensed provider determines appropriate treatment.
SkinSync AI: Aesthetic Care
See a simulation before you book.
Read up here, then use the app to picture chin filler on your own face and take the next step with a clinic. Arrive at your consultation informed and ready to ask the right questions.
- Scan your face and see an illustrative filler simulation from the front and both sides: chin, jawline, lips, cheeks, tear troughs, temples, nasolabial folds and more
- Find participating clinics and providers, with availability and pricing
- Book a consultation, in person or virtual, or a treatment in the app
- Save your scans and get reminders and aftercare guidance
Simulations are illustrative and do not predict results. The app does not give medical advice; a licensed provider determines appropriate treatment.
Sources
Every medical fact on this page is linked to one of these sources. Reviewed October 30, 2026.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Dermal Fillers (Soft Tissue Fillers)
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA-Approved Dermal Fillers
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Premarket Approval database: Juvederm Voluma XC, approval for chin augmentation (P110033/S047)
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Premarket Approval database: Restylane Defyne, approval for chin augmentation (P140029/S027)
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Premarket Approval database: Restylane Lyft with Lidocaine, approval for chin augmentation (P040024/S142)
- Marcus K, et al. A Randomized Trial to Assess Effectiveness and Safety of a Hyaluronic Acid Filler for Chin Augmentation and Correction of Chin Retrusion. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2022
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons: What are the steps of a dermal fillers procedure?
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons: Dermal fillers recovery
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons: What are the risks of dermal fillers?
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons: How much do dermal fillers cost?
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons: Chin surgery
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons: What are the risks of chin surgery?
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons: Chin surgery recovery
Related guides
Botox, Juvederm, Voluma, Restylane, Defyne and Lyft are trademarks of their respective owners. SkinSync AI is not affiliated with or endorsed by these companies.