A strong chin can lead you to new places.
Forget breast implants and lip injections: Growing your chin is the hottest new way to look younger and get ahead.
Chin augmentation is the fastest-growing trend in plastic surgery, outpacing the growth of procedures such as lip augmentation, laser skin resurfacing and soft tissue fillers, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
The society, which represents more than 7,000 plastic surgeons, including members certified by The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, reported a 71-per-cent increase in the number of chin implant procedures in 2011. Of the total 20,680 chin surgeries recorded last year, a little more than half of the patients were men.
The society suggests that an aging population, a desire to get ahead in the workplace and, oddly, an increased use of video chats may be fuelling the popularity of the procedure.
"The chin and jawline are among the first areas to show signs of aging. People are considering chin augmentation as a way to restore their youthful look just like a facelift or eyelid surgery," association president Malcolm Roth said in a press release. "We also know that as more people see themselves on video chat technology, they may notice that their jawline is not as sharp as they want it to be."
Darrick Antell, a member surgeon, added: "We know that CEOs tend to be tall, attractive, good-looking people. We now know that these people also tend to have a stronger chin. As a result, people subconsciously associate a stronger chin with more authority, self-confidence and trustworthiness."
But getting a surgically enhanced chin isn't for the weak of stomach. As The New York Times explains, the procedure involves making a cut inside the mouth or outside the chin to form a "pocket" in which to place the implant. That implant, usually attached to the bone with sutures or screws, may be made of silicone, Teflon, or other materials; a surgeon may also use real bone or fat tissue.
The Times notes the surgeon might also augment the chin by removing some bone with a saw or chisel. There are a number of risks, including bruising, movement of the implant, damage to the teeth, blood clots and scarring.
A less invasive way to get ahead at work? You can always turn to career books, mentors and the Internet for strategies. And as for looking older? There's nothing wrong with aging gracefully – and naturally.
Have you ever thought about getting a chin implant?
Wency Leung