Facial implants

You can have implants to reshape parts of your face, such as the chin, cheeks, and nose.
We often do facial implants at the same time as other surgical procedures, for example, placing a chin implant at the same time as reshaping your nose. Facial implants are also an alternative to certain "bone-shaping" operations, for example, doing a chin implant instead of reshaping the chin bone (genioplasty).

Facial implants can enhance your appearance and improve your self-confidence. However, they will not necessarily change your looks to match your ideal or cause other people to treat you differently.

What are facial implants?

Facial implants have long been used in face surgery. They are usually made of synthetic material - of which there are many varieties. Of course you can also have facial implants made from your own body tissues like fat, bone, or cartilage.

Common procedures

The most common uses of facial implants are:

in the chin, especially when your chin is small or "set back"
in the cheeks, when your cheekbones (malars) are flattened or "underdeveloped".

With the nose, we usually recommend you have an implant made from your own body tissues, such as bone, rather than a synthetic implant.

Whatever the procedure, at your initial consultation we analyse the exact problem. If we think an implant is appropriate, we help you decide which sort among the various options for size and type.

The operation

You are given a general anaesthetic for facial implants, as there is often quite widespread dissection required right on the surface of the bone.

We make an incision within your mouth for implants in your cheek or chin. For your nose, we operate via your nostrils. We place the implant into a pocket made on the bone surface.

After the operation

You usually have a facial implant as a day procedure.

You need to keep activity to a minimum for the first week, but you can return to normal levels of activity after that. Time off work is not necessary unless you have a physically active job. For implants involving surgery through your mouth, you will need to stay on a soft diet for 2 to 4 weeks.

Your specialist will give you full information at your consultation about what to expect.

The end result

You have no visible scarring from facial implants.

The outcome for you is an improvement in the contour and proportions of your face.

Risk of complications

There is a risk of complications with all surgery. Your specialist will inform you fully at your consultation about any possible complications from facial implants.

Arrange a consultation

Options for rejuvenating or reshaping your face

Use the links below to find out more.

Facelifts
Forehead and eyelid surgery
Nose surgery
Ear surgery

You could also consider our non-surgical skin rejuvenation treatments.
Skin rejuvenation