Genioplasty: Reshaping the Chin for a Harmonious Profile

By Doctor Waldemar Weiss

30 March 2026

The chin plays a fundamental role in facial balance. When it is too recessed, too prominent or asymmetric, it alters the perception of the entire profile and can create a noticeable aesthetic imbalance. Genioplasty is the surgical procedure that corrects the shape and position of the chin to restore natural facial harmony. Dr Waldemar Weiss, cosmetic surgeon in Paris, performs this operation as part of a comprehensive profile approach, where every element is considered in relation to the others.

What is genioplasty?

Genioplasty is a chin surgery that modifies the projection, height or axis of the bony chin segment. Unlike simple filler injections or implants, osseous genioplasty acts directly on the mandibular bone: the surgeon performs an osteotomy (a controlled bone cut) that allows the chin fragment to be moved in the desired direction, then fixes it in its new position using titanium miniplates.

This technique delivers precise, permanent results. It is recognised by scientific societies in maxillofacial and cosmetic surgery as the gold standard for significant chin corrections.

When is chin surgery indicated?

Genioplasty addresses several anatomical situations that disrupt profile harmony:

Retrogenia (receding chin) is the most common indication. The chin lacks forward projection, giving the profile an unbalanced appearance and often making the nose seem more prominent than it actually is. This is particularly visible in profile view and can accentuate a double chin by relaxing the sub-mental tissues.

Prognathism (overly prominent chin) corresponds to an excess of chin projection. The lower third of the face appears too long or too imposing. Genioplasty can set the chin back to restore balanced proportions.

Chin asymmetry manifests as a lateral deviation that breaks the symmetry of the face when viewed from the front. The osteotomy allows the bone fragment to be recentred with great precision.

Excess or insufficient vertical height of the chin can also be corrected. A chin that is too short gives a compressed look to the face, while one that is too long stretches the lower third. Genioplasty adjusts this vertical dimension to achieve ideal proportions.

Genioplasty and profile harmony: a global approach

The chin is never corrected in isolation. Profile analysis must consider the nose projection, lip position, cervico-mental angle and the overall profile line. This is why genioplasty is frequently performed alongside a rhinoplasty in what is known as profiloplasty.

A patient with a prominent nose and a receding chin will benefit remarkably from this combined procedure: by advancing the chin and refining the nose simultaneously, the profile regains a striking balance while remaining perfectly natural. Dr Weiss stresses the importance of this holistic vision: correcting the chin alone when the nose contributes to the imbalance will only produce a partial result.

How the procedure is performed

Genioplasty is performed under general anaesthesia, as a day case or with one overnight stay depending on the situation. The incision is made inside the mouth, in the groove between the lower lip and the gum, so there is no visible scar on the face.

The surgeon accesses the chin bone, performs the osteotomy according to the preoperative plan established during the consultation, moves the bone fragment to the optimal position, then stabilises it with biocompatible titanium plates and screws. The procedure typically takes between forty-five minutes and one and a half hours.

In certain cases of mild retrogenia, a less invasive alternative exists: a silicone chin implant. However, this technique does not allow the same corrections in height or axis, and the result is not as precise as an osteotomy. Dr Weiss advises each patient on the most appropriate method for their individual anatomy.

Recovery and downtime

Recovery from genioplasty is generally well tolerated. Swelling of the chin and lower lip is expected during the first few days and gradually subsides over two to three weeks. Bruising may appear around the neck and chin area.

A soft diet is recommended for the first week. Meticulous oral hygiene with regular mouthwash is essential to promote healing of the intraoral incision. Temporary numbness of the lower lip and chin is common and resolves spontaneously in the vast majority of cases within a few weeks to a few months.

Return to professional activities is possible after approximately ten days. The final result can be fully appreciated from the third month, once the swelling has completely resolved and the soft tissues have adapted to the new bone architecture.

Genioplasty and double chin: a complementary solution

A receding chin frequently contributes to the appearance of a double chin, even in slim patients. By advancing the chin, genioplasty naturally tightens the sub-mental tissues and improves the definition of the cervico-mental angle. In some cases, sub-mental liposuction may be combined to optimise the result.

For patients with more significant skin laxity, genioplasty can be integrated into a broader treatment plan that includes a cervical facelift for comprehensive rejuvenation of the lower third of the face.

Why choose Dr Weiss for genioplasty?

Dr Weiss approaches every genioplasty with the same philosophy that guides his entire practice: a natural, bespoke result tailored to each patient's unique morphology. His experience in nose and facial surgery gives him a global vision of the profile that is essential for achieving a harmonious outcome.

He operates in clinics accredited by the French national health authority (HAS), ensuring the highest standards of safety. During the consultation, he carries out a meticulous profile analysis, openly discusses the possibilities and limitations of the procedure, and declines any request that would not be reasonable. A little less is always better than an exaggerated result.

In summary, genioplasty is a precise and reliable procedure that can transform profile balance by acting on the chin. Whether you have a receding chin, an overly prominent one or an asymmetry, this surgery offers permanent, natural results. Do not hesitate to contact Dr Weiss's practice for a personalised consultation and discover how this procedure can enhance your facial harmony.