Dermal fillers are often associated with adding volume to the lips or cheeks, but they can also be used more subtly throughout the lower face.
Depending on your facial structure and what you would like to change, carefully placed filler may help to add definition to the chin or jawline, soften the appearance of certain lines around the mouth, or create better balance between different areas of the face.
The important word here is carefully. Lower-face treatment isn’t simply a case of adding filler wherever you see a line or feel you’ve lost definition.
A good result starts with looking at your face as a whole.
Why does the lower face change as we age?
Facial ageing is more complex than simply developing lines and wrinkles.
Over time, changes take place in the skin and in the underlying structures that support it. Collagen levels decline, facial fat changes and the proportions and contours of the face can gradually alter.
You may begin to notice that your jawline doesn’t look as defined as it once did, for example, or that lines between the nose and mouth or from the corners of the mouth towards the chin have become more noticeable.
Some people feel that these changes make them look tired, sad or older than they feel. Others have always had a feature they would like to bring into better balance with the rest of their face, such as a small or slightly recessed chin.
This is where lower facial fillers may be worth considering.
What are lower facial fillers?
Most dermal fillers used at Medikaur are made from hyaluronic acid, a substance that occurs naturally within the body.
Different filler products have different properties. Some are better suited to providing structure and definition, while others are softer and more flexible.
The choice of filler, where it is placed and how much is used will therefore depend on both the area being treated and the result you’re hoping to achieve.
At Medikaur, the aim isn’t to make everyone look the same or to dramatically change your features. Treatment is planned around your existing facial structure, proportions and expressions.
What can lower facial fillers be used for?
There are several areas of the lower face where dermal filler may be considered.
Chin definition and balance
Chin filler can be used to subtly change the shape, projection or definition of the chin.
For someone with a relatively small or recessed chin, carefully placed filler may help to create better balance between the chin and other facial features. It can also sometimes be used to improve the appearance of asymmetry or irregularities in the chin.
Importantly, the chin isn’t assessed in isolation. Its relationship with your lips, jawline, nose and overall profile all influence treatment planning.
Jawline definition
If your jawline has become less defined over time, filler may sometimes be used to add structure or improve the appearance of its contours.
However, filler isn’t automatically the right treatment for every less-defined jawline.
If there is significant skin laxity or heaviness in the lower face, simply adding more volume may not produce the result you want. This is why an assessment is important before deciding whether jawline filler is appropriate and where, if anywhere, it should be placed.
Nose-to-mouth lines
The lines running from the sides of the nose towards the mouth are known as nasolabial folds.
These are a normal part of facial anatomy and don’t need to be erased. If they have become more prominent and bother you, dermal filler may sometimes be used to soften their appearance.
Again, this doesn’t necessarily mean injecting directly into the line. Changes elsewhere in the face can contribute to how prominent a fold appears, so Jane will assess the face as a whole before recommending treatment.
Marionette lines and the corners of the mouth
Lines running downwards from the corners of the mouth towards the chin are commonly known as marionette lines.
As these become more noticeable, some people feel their resting expression looks sad, tired or unhappy even when they don’t feel that way.
Carefully planned filler treatment may help to soften the appearance of these lines or provide support around the lower face. The aim is not to create a permanently smiling expression, but to achieve a natural result that works with the way your face moves.
Lines around the lips
Fine vertical lines can develop around the mouth with age and repeated movement. Although they’re sometimes called “smoker’s lines”, you certainly don’t have to smoke to develop them.
Depending on the individual, small amounts of an appropriate filler may help to soften their appearance.
This doesn’t necessarily mean making the lips bigger. Treatment can be very subtle.
Lip shape and volume
Lip fillers can also be used to subtly alter lip volume, definition, proportion or symmetry.
For some people, that means adding a little volume. For others, the goal might simply be to improve definition or create better balance between the upper and lower lip.
The amount and placement of filler should always be guided by your natural lip shape and the proportions of the rest of your face.
Why treating the lower face isn’t just about filling lines
This is one of the most important things to understand about dermal fillers.
The feature you’ve noticed in the mirror isn’t necessarily the place that needs to be injected.
Facial structures work together. Changes in one area can affect the appearance of another, and adding volume without considering those relationships can sometimes make the lower face look heavier rather than more defined.
This is why Jane begins by assessing your face as a whole.
She’ll look at your facial proportions, profile, movement and existing volume before discussing what could realistically be achieved. Sometimes the most appropriate plan may involve treating a different area from the one you initially noticed. Sometimes another aesthetic treatment may be more suitable.
And sometimes the right recommendation is simply not to add filler.
How much lower facial filler will I need?
There’s no standard amount.
The quantity required depends on your anatomy, the areas being treated, the product being used and how much change you want to see.
More filler doesn’t necessarily mean a better result.
At Medikaur, Jane takes a considered approach to injectable treatments, using the amount she feels is appropriate to create a result that works with your existing features.
If you’re looking for a significant change, it may sometimes be better to build the result gradually rather than trying to achieve everything in one appointment.
What will I look like afterwards?
The aim is for you to still look like yourself.
Depending on the area treated, you might notice greater definition, improved balance between your features or a softening of lines that had begun to bother you.
There may initially be some swelling, tenderness, redness or bruising around the injection sites, so the appearance immediately after treatment isn’t necessarily the final result.
Jane will explain what to expect from the particular treatment you’re considering during your consultation.
Are lower facial fillers safe?
Dermal filler is an injectable treatment and isn’t without risk.
Temporary effects such as swelling, tenderness and bruising can occur. There are also less common but potentially serious complications associated with dermal filler injections. The NHS recommends researching your practitioner carefully and asking about their qualifications, experience, the product being used and potential complications before going ahead with treatment.
Your consultation is therefore an important part of treatment.
Jane will assess your suitability, discuss your medical history and any relevant medications, explain the expected outcome and limitations of treatment, and talk you through the potential risks before you decide whether to go ahead.
Choosing the right treatment for your lower face
You don’t need to arrive at Medikaur knowing which filler you need, how many syringes you want or even exactly which area should be treated.
That’s what the consultation is for.
You might know only that your jawline doesn’t look as defined as it used to, that the lower part of your face feels heavier, or that certain lines make you look more tired or unhappy than you feel.
Jane can look at what’s changed, listen to what bothers you and talk you through the options that could make a worthwhile difference.
The goal isn’t to chase every line or change the character of your face. It’s to find an approach that feels proportionate to you and gives you a result you’re comfortable with.
You can learn more about dermal fillers at Medikaur here
