Orange Peel Chin

An ‘orange peel’ chin is the term used to describe a chin that, when puckered (and sometimes also at rest) has the appearance of orange peel, with textural changes and pitting. While there is no medical cause for concern if you have a dimply orange peel texture on your chin, you might feel self-conscious about it.

Luckily, orange peel skin with pitting or creases can be corrected with a combination of medical aesthetic procedures, which aim to improve collagen and elastin synthesis, reduce laxity, and smooth wrinkles.

Causes

Orange peel chin is caused by frequent and excessive flexing of the chin muscles (the mentalis muscles), causing the chin to look bumpy and / or uneven.

Dimpling and wrinkling in the chin can be part of the natural aging process of our face. As we get older, we lose volume in the chin so that the visible movement of the muscle creates this pebbling, ‘orange-peel’ effect. Sun damage is also to blame, and the more sun damage in youth, the more likely you will be to pay the price with orange peel skin later in life.

Treatments for Orange Peel Chin

This condition is easily treated with injections of Botulinum Toxin A, a type of neurotoxin which acts by relaxing the chin muscles that cause the uneven and bumpy appearance.

If the shape of your chin has changed too, then botulinum toxin injections can be used in combination with dermal fillers. Dermal fillers can be injected to reduce the appearance of the lines or to fill in areas that have lost volume over time. This will help regain a softer, fuller and more youthful contour in your lower face.

Routine facial treatments and an appropriate skincare regimen will maintain results from these procedures.

How Does the Procedure Work

Botulinum toxin is commonly injected into overly active facial muscles to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles that develop due to repetitive movements. When used in the chin area, the neurotoxin helps to erase unsightly dimpling, which may make individuals look older or constantly worried.

The ultimate goal of botulinum toxin injections in a dimpled chin is to relax the mentalis muscle and reduce the appearance of wrinkling in the chin area.

What to Expect from the Procedure

The procedure for botulinum toxin injections for your chin is relatively short and simple. Before your treatment you will have a consultation with Dr Nina to discuss your concerned areas, ideal results, side effects and to disclose any medications or medical history.

48 hours before the treatment you should avoid drinking any alcohol. On the day of the procedure, Dr Nina will assess the texture and firmness of the chin, while the mentalis muscle is contracted. Once the strength and exact location of this muscle are identified, she will precisely inject the botulinum toxin directly into your chin muscles. You may feel some discomfort during this injection, but it should only last for a couple of seconds. A topical anaesthetic may be applied to make the procedure more comfortable.

Slight bruising can occur right after the injections but should resolve in a few days at maximum.

There is no down time to this procedure, in fact patients can return to their daily activities right after their visit.

Botulinum Treatment FAQs

How long does it take for the treatment to work?

The toxin does not work immediately, but patients should notice an effect within 14 days.

How long do the effects last?

The effect of the toxin may last between two and seven months, depending on the dosage and the patient’s physiology.

This is because after this time the nerve impulses will be able to travel to the muscle again and some of the stiffness in the muscles may return. Most patients have the injections repeated once or twice a year.

Are there any risks and/or side effects?

Botulinum injections are considered very safe. The main side effect is bruising and discomfort at the injection site.

Can everyone have this treatment?

Women that are pregnant or breastfeeding should not have botulinum injections. Also, patients that have a previous allergic reaction to it should avoid this type of treatment.

Does the treatment hurt?

As with all injections, there might be some discomfort at the time of injection and a few people report a dull ache the following day.

This treatment is subject to consultation only.