The Dimpled Chin

Chin dimpling is a common complaint among my patients.  The skin around the chin is unique in that the dimpling that occurs doesn't have to be attributed to the typical offenders: sun damage and smoking.  The other factors that contribute to skin here include genetic factors and other habits (straw drinking).  There certainly is a genetic component to chin dimpling that you can't really control.

So what are the complaints?  First, the skin of the chin can get an irregular texture. To be nice, we describe it as peau d'orange (French for "orange peel"), but the descriptor is quite appropriate. Picture it. The smooth skin of the chin is replaced by the irregularities that are associated with aging.

Often, chin dimpling is coupled with other changes around the mouth - deep folds around the mouth and the sunburst pattern of wrinkles that can happen (especially in smokers).  Whereas facial fillers can help with the folds around the mouth, chin dimpling is best treated with botulinum toxin.

I typically place a small injection on either side of the midline (2 injections total) using about 5 units of Botox on each side.  The effect starts within 3-5 days and seems to last longer than treatments in other parts of the face (up to 5 months).  This is an extremely safe area to treat with few potential complications.  It's so safe that I'd almost let an untrained injector treat the dimpled chin.  Well, not really.

Here's a picture that shows what you can achieve with this technique. It's safe, effective, and essentially painless.