Weak chin: What it is and ways to fix Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What is a weak chin and how to fix itMedically reviewed by Meredith Goodwin, MD, FAAFP — By Jenna Fletcher on June 29, 2022A weak chin is neither a medical condition nor a result of one. Rather, it is a term some people use to describe when the chin is less prominent on the face. A weak chin is not a healthcare issue. Rather, it is a cosmetic concern that some people have regarding the shape and predominance of their chin. While treatment is not medically necessary, some people may wish to change the shape of their chin for aesthetic reasons. Some individuals may find they can achieve the results they want using nonsurgical means, while others may seek cosmetic surgery. This article explores a weak chin in more detail, whether a person can correct a weak chin with exercises, and surgical treatment options. What is a weak chin Share on PinterestMedioimages/Photodisc/Getty ImagesA weak chin, which people may call a recessed chin, refers to a chin that does not have a prominent appearance on the face or jawline and may appear to slope backward from below the mouth. In some cases, a weak chin may result from genetic factors. Certain genetic conditions, such as Treacher Collins syndrome, can cause a deformity in the lower part of the jaw — the mandible — that causes it to be further back than it should be. When this occurs, it is known as retrognathia. Noting its presence can help a doctor determine the underlying cause of the retrognathia. People with retrognathia may require additional support for feeding and breathing when they are younger, but generally, it does not cause serious health concerns. However, if another underlying condition is causing retrognathia, a person may need treatment and care for that condition. Others may inherit a smaller chin from one or both of their parents. Finally, a weak chin can result from natural aging. As a person ages, the tissue below the jaw often contains more fat, which fills the space below the mandible and makes the outline of the chin appear less prominent. Can exercises help Exercise helps to improve a person’s muscle tone. Many people claim that working the muscles of the face can help improve the appearance of the chin and jawline. However, they will not fix a weak chin. A weak chin is the result of bone and soft tissue. Exercises will not help these factors or change the appearance of the skin. Surgical treatment options Individuals interested in changing the appearance of their chin will likely require cosmetic surgery. A person may consider two surgical procedures: chin implant and sliding genioplasty. Chin implant A chin implant is a form of cosmetic surgery where a surgeon places an implant on the chin. The implant helps to increase the size of the chin and even out the appearance of the jawline. The American Board of Cosmetic Surgeons recommends a person interested in the surgery look for an experienced, licensed surgeon to do the procedure. This may help reduce the risks of the surgery, which can include:hematoma, a blood clot beneath the skinreaction to anesthesiashift in implant positionpoor scarringinfection at incision In some cases, a person may wish to combine their chin implant with liposuction. This may help to further enhance the effects of the procedure. Sliding genioplasty A sliding genioplasty is a type of cosmetic surgery to change the appearance of the chin. A doctor may recommend it for deformities, illness, or trauma. Specialized dentists often perform the procedure, which involves making an incision in the face to expose the jaw bone. Once exposed, the surgeon cuts the bone and repositions it to help it achieve a symmetrical appearance. Though generally safe and effective, a person may experience unwanted side effects. They could include:nerve damagereaction to anesthesiapain and swellinginfection Summary A weak chin is often the result of genetics and rarely the cause of severe medical issues. While doctors may need to rule out and treat an underlying condition, many people seeking fixes for a weak chin do so to alter their appearance and achieve a more symmetrical look on the face. While exercise options may sound appealing, they will not likely have a major effect on the chin’s appearance. Instead, a person will likely need to opt for a sliding genioplasty or a chin implant. Both of these procedures alter the appearance of a person’s chin and jawline. Last medically reviewed on June 29, 2022SurgeryBones / OrthopedicsCosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery 4 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.All about chin enhancement. (n.d.).https://www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/procedure-learning-center/facial-procedures/chin-implantsDeshpande, S. N., et al. (2011). Osseous genioplasty: A case series.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3263268Jenzer, A. C., et al. (2022). Retrognathia.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538303Shokri, T., et al. (2021). Genioplasty and Mandibular Implants.https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/html/10.1055/s-0041-1735307FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Meredith Goodwin, MD, FAAFP — By Jenna Fletcher on June 29, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? 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