Understanding Jaw Contouring: Sculpt Your Perfect Profile
The jawline has a major influence on your overall facial appearance. It determines the shape of your profile, shows off your facial features, and contributes to your youthfulness. A defined jawline is considered beautiful, attractive, and confident.
But not everyone is born with the kind of strong, contoured jawline we admire in the magazines and on social media. In fact, most people are not! Thankfully, we have a lot of options when it comes to defining and enhancing the jawline.
Jaw contouring is one of the treatment options that can help you achieve a more refined jaw and neck area. If you are someone who is interested in improving the jawline, it is good to know what jaw contouring involves. In our blog, we will guide you through everything you need to know about jaw contouring.
What Is Jaw Contouring?
Jaw contouring is a cosmetic procedure that is done to redefine and enhance or reshape the jaw. Surgical and non-surgical procedures can be done based on your goals, budget, and how quickly you want to recover.
Some people may want to reduce a square or prominent jaw. Others may wish to enhance a soft or recessed jaw.
Jaw contouring is also about symmetry. Proportions that are well balanced with your face shape bring out your best features and give you a more symmetrical look from the front and side.
Why Consider Jaw Contouring?
There are many reasons why people decide to get jaw contouring. You may want a more defined jawline to appear more youthful.
You may want to feminise or masculinise your jaw. Or it could be as simple as making your jaw less angular or more chiseled to match your personal preference.
For some people, jaw contouring is about more than just changing their appearance. When your face is balanced, you may find that you look great in photos, you aren’t embarrassed by your side profile, and you are more comfortable in your own skin.
Non-Surgical Jaw Contouring
Dermal Fillers for Jawline Enhancement
The majority of non-surgical jaw contouring procedures are performed with dermal fillers. As they’re formulated using hyaluronic acid (which is naturally produced by the body), fillers are well-tolerated and work nicely with your skin. Injected in very specific areas of the jawline, fillers can give definition, create structure, and even add a lift in some cases.
The procedure has become increasingly popular over the years for obvious reasons. First, it’s quick, painless, and you don’t need to take any time off to recover.
You’ll also see instant results. Depending on the type of filler used, and how quickly your body metabolises it, results can last from 12-18 months.
Botox for Jaw Slimming
Patients with an overdeveloped jaw muscle (masseter) often benefit from Botox injections to help slim and contour the lower third of the face. Botox may be a good option for patients with a wide or square jawline due to teeth grinding or jaw clenching.
Injection of Botox into the masseter relaxes and reduces its size, making your jawline narrower and more refined. The treatment effects can last three to six months.
Who Is Non-Surgical Jaw Contouring Best For?
Jaw contouring without surgery is an excellent choice for patients who want a less drastic change before going under the knife. It’s also good for those with little time to take off from work or regular activities.
On the other hand, the non-surgical methods are only as good as the existing bone. You cannot really “improve” the bone’s appearance with them. For those who require “filling in” (adding volume to the chin or jaw), or major reshaping or bone reduction, surgery is the better option.
Surgical Jaw Contouring
What Does Surgical Contouring Involve?
Surgical jaw contouring (orthognathic surgery, or mandibular contouring) is a more invasive, but long-term option. Jaw surgery could consist of shaving bone to narrow the jaw, repositioning the jaw to a more aligned position, or using implants to create definition.
Surgery will be carried out under general anaesthetic and will require time to heal. The changes will be permanent and can create a more significant change.
When Is Surgery the Right Option?
Surgical jaw contouring is also available for those desiring a more permanent solution or who have structural issues that cannot be addressed with fillers or Botox. Jaw surgery is often recommended for patients with jaw misalignment, bite issues, and/or chewing difficulties.
Consultation with a qualified cosmetic surgeon or maxillofacial surgeon is important for a more detailed evaluation. You will also discuss options and set realistic expectations prior to undergoing your procedure.
Recovery and Downtime
It will take some time to recover from jaw contouring surgery, usually a matter of several weeks. Swelling and bruising are normal and may persist for a few months.
You will likely need to eat soft foods for a while and avoid strenuous activities. The longer recovery period is the tradeoff for longer-lasting results and is considered well worth it by many.
What to Expect During Your Consultation
At this point, you’ll meet with a healthcare provider to review your treatment goals and be provided with individualised treatment advice specific to your face structure. At this appointment, your doctor will be assessing the shape of your face and jawline.
Your doctor will also be asking about your treatment expectations, desired outcome, take photos, and perform an examination of your bone structure and jaw muscle development. At this stage, your doctor may be able to provide non-surgical treatment on the spot in the form of fillers. If you opt for a surgical treatment, more work will most likely need to be done on treatment planning, which will involve further examination and follow-up meetings with your doctor.
Communication skills and honesty with your doctor at this stage are also very important. The more honest and open you can be about your concerns and expectations with your healthcare provider, the better the healthcare provider will be able to design a treatment plan that is safe and realistic for you. You should try to be as open as possible about your expectations, fears, and medical history.
Maintaining Your Jawline Post-Treatment
Once you are happy with the results, the next stage is maintenance. With non-surgical treatment, this may involve topping up your fillers every 12 to 18 months and having Botox injections two or three times a year.
The things you do in your everyday life will also have an impact. Stay well hydrated and eat healthily to help your skin to stay firm and your results looking good. Try to avoid too much alcohol and avoid smoking.
If you’ve had surgery, you will also need to follow your surgeon’s aftercare instructions. Keep any follow-up appointments and take time to rest and recover.
Choosing the Right Practitioner or Surgeon
Whether you are looking for temporary treatments such as dermal fillers, or prefer a more permanent solution such as surgical jaw contouring, one of the most important factors to consider is who is going to be performing the procedure on you. You want someone who has professional, in-depth, extensive knowledge of facial anatomy.
Someone who has an understanding of the way your bones, muscles and fat pads all work together to create your face. You want someone who can visualise the way small changes to a single feature will affect your facial proportions as a whole.
Jaw Contouring: FAQs
1. Does jaw contouring hurt?
The non-surgical methods involve little to no discomfort, particularly if numbing cream is applied. Surgical methods will have some degree of postoperative pain, but this can easily be controlled with medication.
2. How long will the results last?
Dermal fillers last 12-18 months and Botox lasts 3-6 months. The results from surgery are permanent, but as your face changes as you get older, some of these changes may be evident on the face.
3. Will I look unnatural or ‘overdone’?
Your injector/surgeon should be looking at your existing facial shape and contours to create a natural result. Jaw contouring should aim to enhance your existing jawline rather than completely alter it.
4. Can jaw contouring help with facial asymmetry?
Yes, jaw contouring can be used to address facial asymmetry if one side of your jaw is larger or a different shape to the other. Facial asymmetry can be treated in a number of ways depending on whether the asymmetry is muscular or skeletal.
5. How much will jaw contouring cost?
The cost of treatment ranges from a few hundred pounds to the thousands, depending on the techniques used, the clinic, and your location. Remember to take into account any consultation fees as well as costs for subsequent top-up appointments.
6. Can men have jaw contouring?
Men can have jaw contouring as well as women. Jaw contouring is often used to create a more angular or chiselled jawline for men. The same procedures are used for men and women, and treatments are specific to your individual facial anatomy and goals.
