Even a subtle adjustment to the chin can significantly change the overall impression around the mouth.

“Chin wrinkles,” often called mentalis wrinkles or pebble-like wrinkles, tend to give the face a tense, dissatisfied, or tired look. For this reason, many patients seek treatment specifically for this concern.

 

Today, using a real before-and-after case, I’ll explain in a relaxed and practical way:

• What actually changes with filler treatment

• How chin wrinkles improve and why

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First, let’s clarify the terms

 

What we commonly refer to as a recessed chin does not simply mean a small chin.

It usually describes a structural condition where the chin bone is short or positioned posteriorly, so the nose–lip–chin line does not form a straight profile.

From the front, the face may appear round.

However, from a 45-degree angle, the chin tip may appear lifted or the mouth may seem more protruded.

 

Chin wrinkles, on the other hand, appear when smiling or speaking, causing the skin at the chin tip to bunch up into a dimpled, uneven texture.

 

This occurs because the mentalis muscle contracts excessively, pulling the thin overlying skin inward.

Therefore, this is not simply a matter of skin elasticity or dryness.

 

That’s why, when patients ask,
“Will this improve with good moisturizing?”

the honest answer is that muscle activity and bone structure must be evaluated together.

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About this specific case

 

During the initial consultation, the patient’s main concern was not that the chin looked “fat,” but that the chin wrinkles became very noticeable when smiling.

 

Because the chin was short and slightly rolled inward, the mentalis muscle had to work harder when closing the mouth, making the wrinkles appear deeper and more clustered.

 

So instead of simply lifting the chin tip with a single filler bolus, the treatment plan focused on three goals:

1. Slightly increasing the vertical length of the chin

2. Correcting the inward-rolled angle

3. Reducing the pulling force of the mentalis muscle

 

These three objectives were addressed together.

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Changes after treatment

In the post-treatment photos, you can see that the lower facial line becomes smoother and flows naturally toward the neck.

 

Because the recessed chin made the chin and neck appear as one block, defining this boundary was the first priority.

 

Another noticeable change is in the mouth area.

With gentle anterior support from the chin, the lips appear less protruded, and the side profile becomes more balanced.

Overall, the facial expression looks calmer and more refined.

 

At this point, many patients comment,
“I look slimmer,”
even though their actual body weight has not changed.

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Improvement in chin wrinkles

 

This is the most important part.

 

By restoring appropriate volume to the chin, the mentalis muscle has less space to pull the skin inward.

 

As a result, when smiling or speaking, the skin no longer folds deeply into itself, and the wrinkle pattern becomes much softer and less pronounced.

 

While the wrinkles may not disappear completely, the uneven, pebble-like texture that patients notice in the mirror is often significantly reduced.

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Not every case responds the same way

Depending on the degree of chin recession, bone structure, dental protrusion, or gum exposure, filler alone may not be sufficient in some patients.

 

For this reason, it would be inaccurate to say that filler is the universal solution for all chin wrinkle cases.

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How long does the effect last?

 

Hyaluronic acid chin fillers typically last about 9 to 18 months, depending on the product and volume used.

 

Although the filler gradually diminishes over time, the skin rarely returns completely to its original state.

Most patients describe the change not as “suddenly gone,” but rather as a gradual softening.

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Important precautions

The chin is functionally connected to the lower lip, gums, and teeth.

If excessive volume is injected, it may cause:

• A sharp or pointed appearance from the side

• Unnatural lip movement when smiling

• A heavy or blunt look despite reduced wrinkles

 

In addition, blood vessels run through this area, so injections must always be performed carefully, distinguishing between the periosteal layer and subcutaneous fat layer, while avoiding vascular structures.

 

More important than the filler brand itself is:

• Which layer the filler is placed in

• At what angle

• How finely the volume is divided and distributed

 

These factors largely determine both results and safety.

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Summary

 

Key differences before and after chin wrinkle filler

• Chin length and angle improve, clarifying the side profile

• Excessive mentalis muscle pulling decreases, softening wrinkles

• Balance between the chin and lips improves, creating a calmer overall impression

 

If recessed chin or chin wrinkles are a concern, rather than asking for the same result seen in photos, it is far more important to first evaluate your individual bone structure, muscle activity, and skin condition.

 

Based on that assessment, discussing the appropriate treatment range and combination with your physician will lead to safer and more satisfying results.

 

Director: Won Dae-Han, MD

 

Thank you for reading.

 

📍 Primi Clinic
52 Seongsuil-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 3F (Primi Clinic)

 

📍 Primi Clinic
서울특별시 성동구 성수일로 52 3F

Chin (Mentalis) Wrinkle Filler:What Changes Before and After Treatment?