Summary

• A cleft chin describes a natural indentation in the centre of the chin, creating a Y shape
• A cleft in the chin results from a natural space between the muscles in the chin, or an indentation in the lower jawbone
• For patients who wish to reduce the appearance of a cleft chin, Dermal Fillers, Fat Transfer or a Chin Implant are all effective treatment options
• The appearance of a cleft chin can also be created with Cleft Chin Creation Surgery
• Cadogan Clinic’s Consultant Facial Surgeons are experts in chin contouring and augmentation procedures, delivering the highest quality patient care and results

What is a Cleft Chin?

A cleft chin, sometimes known as a chin dimple, or colloquially as a butt chin, is a physical characteristic in which the chin has a central indentation, creating a Y shape.

Cadogan Clinic’s team of expert Consultant Facial Surgeons are specialists in all areas of chin contouring and reshaping, an increasingly popular area of surgery. The global Chin Augmentation market was valued at approximately $1.2 billion in 2022 and is estimated to increase to $2.0 billion by 2030. Cadogan Clinic provides industry-leading patient care and outcomes, and 100% of our surgical patients would recommend the clinic to their family and friends.

A cleft chin can be a divisive feature which many people feel strongly about. While some people feel a cleft chin creates a distinctive, strong aesthetic and even want to create one, others want to minimise or remove it, feeling it affects facial balance or creates an overly masculine appearance.

It is estimated that between 10% and 20% of the global population have a visible cleft chin, with deeper and more prominent chin clefts more common in men than in women.

Although a cleft chin is rarely a medical concern, the shape and projection of the chin can have a significant effect on facial proportions, impacting confidence and self-image. However, a cleft chin may also be associated with certain reconstructive issues or injuries.

A cleft chin is a dimple in the centre of the chin that creates a distinctive Y shape to the chin. While some people wish to create the appearance of a chin cleft, others are keen to find a way to reduce or remove their cleft chin.

Chin Dimple vs Cleft Chin

Although a cleft chin is sometimes referred to as a chin dimple, or a dimpled chin, there is another condition, also known as a dimpled chin, which it may be confused with.

Also known as a pebble chin, this chin condition is characterised by an orange peel texture on the front of the chin, caused by muscular overactivity, which results in the skin puckering.

The main difference between a chin cleft and a dimple chin (in this instance) is that a chin cleft is only one indent in the chin, which is present at all times, whereas a pebble dimple chin shows texture when the lower face and mouth move, when speaking or smiling.

Anti-Wrinkle Injections can effectively be used to relax the muscle and reduce the appearance of a pebble chin.

While a cleft chin is sometimes called a chin dimple, it is important to understand that this can be confused with a dimpled or pebble chin, which is textured skin on the chin caused by overactive muscles in the lower face.

What Are the Symptoms of a Cleft Chin?

There are several physical and psychological symptoms which may be associated with a cleft chin.

Physical Cleft Chin Symptoms

• Visible indentation: The primary physical cleft chin symptom is the vertical indentation in the centre of the chin. Its size and prominence can vary
• Bone or muscle separation: Although not visible, a separation in the lower jawbone or in the overlying muscle is typically found with a cleft chin

Psychological Cleft Chin Symptoms

• Loss of confidence: While many people are happy with the appearance of their cleft chin, some individuals find that it affects their confidence, especially in social and professional settings
• Self-consciousness: Some people may feel hyper-aware of their chin’s appearance, causing anxiety, which in severe cases may develop into body dysmorphia
• Makeup choices: In some cases, people may rely on makeup, or other temporary modifications to change the shape and proportions of their chin

Symptoms of a cleft chin can affect both physical appearance and emotional well-being, which may have a noticeable impact on confidence and quality of life.

What Causes a Cleft Chin?

The causes of a cleft chin are all based on anatomy; however, there are other factors which can affect visibility and prominence. It is important to consider cleft chin anatomy to understand how a visible cleft chin develops.

• Muscles: Inside the chin are a pair of small muscles, which sit side by side, called the mentalis muscles. In some people, these muscles have a wider-than-usual gap between them, causing the overlying skin to have a groove. If a cleft chin is more obvious when you move your mouth, lips or chin, this tends to be a strong sign that the mentalis muscles are the main influence
• Jawbone: Also known as the mandible, the lower jawbone forms two halves which fuse at a joint called the mandibular symphysis. In some cases, a notch or depression is present in this joint, which shows as a cleft.
• Soft tissue: Where an individual has less volume at the centre of the chin, the gap between the mentalis muscles or the indentation in the jawbone may be more obvious

Although anatomical factors are crucial in how a cleft chin develops, there are other causes which are linked to how prominent a chin cleft may be.

Genetics

Whether a person develops the anatomical traits which result in a cleft chin is genetic. If an individual has direct relatives who have a cleft chin, they are more likely to have this characteristic themselves. However, it is not guaranteed that someone will develop a cleft chin even if they have a potential genetic predisposition, and it is not possible to determine whether someone will have a cleft chin before they are born.

Ageing

In some cases, an individual may have the underlying anatomical structures of a cleft chin, but in their younger years it is less visible as they have a higher proportion of facial fat.

As we age, it is normal for facial fat levels to decrease, as well as for the bone to naturally reabsorb and the skin to lose elasticity and structure. This can all result in a cleft chin either becoming visible where it wasn’t before or becoming deeper and more prominent.

While the primary causes of a cleft chin are anatomical, genetics and ageing can impact the appearance and significance of a cleft chin, and it is important to bear in mind how these factors may interact. 

How to Get Rid of a Cleft Chin?

There are several non-surgical and surgical options available to reduce the appearance of a cleft chin. The best way to decide on the right cleft chin treatment is to speak with a qualified Consultant Facial Surgeon who has experience in performing this type of procedure to ensure you achieve the best results.

Dermal Filler

Dermal Filler is a non-surgical, injectable treatment which is used to enhance facial contours, including the chin and jawline.

Depending on a patient’s concerns, there are different types of Dermal Filler, all made from hyaluronic acid, a natural compound found within the body’s tissues. When injected into the skin, Dermal Fillers add volume and enhance facial shape and proportions.

Cleft chin filler can be injected into the centre of the chin to fill the area and create a smooth, balanced chin shape. The amount of Dermal Filler used can be varied to achieve a patient’s desired outcomes, depending on whether they want to completely smooth the area or reduce the cleft chin appearance slightly.

Dermal Filler is not a permanent solution and requires follow-up appointments every 6-12 months to maintain the initial result.

Fat Transfer

For patients who are looking for a longer-term solution than Dermal Fillers, Facial Fat Transfer is a popular and effective choice. Facial Fat Transfer is a surgical procedure which involves extracting excess fat from various areas of the body using Liposuction, before processing it and reinjecting it into the face.

Popular areas to extract fat from include the abdomen, waist, thighs, arms, and buttocks. Fat Transfer has the benefit of being infinitely adaptable, so a cleft chin can either be completely smoothed or reduced to a level the patient feels more comfortable with.

The results of Fat Transfer are usually permanent, although some patients may choose to have a follow-up procedure to add more fat to the area and enhance their results.

Cadogan Clinic’s founder, Mr Bryan Mayou, first introduced Liposuction to the UK over forty years ago, and the clinic has continued to pioneer the latest Liposuction and Fat Transfer techniques, delivering the most advanced treatment options to our patients.

Chin Implant

A Chin Implant is a surgical procedure which involves placing a small silicone implant into the chin to fill the space created by the cleft.

During a Chin Implant surgery, a small incision is made in the chin before a bespoke implant, matched perfectly to the patient’s chin shape and proportions, as well as their desired outcomes, is inserted. The incision is then closed, allowing the chin to heal into its new shape.

Chin Implant surgery is suited to patients who wish to completely remove their cleft chin, but where Dermal Filler or Fat Transfer alone may not be sufficient to achieve the optimal result. The results are permanent and do not require follow-up procedures.

Depending on a patient’s concerns and desired results, Dermal Filler, Facial Fat Transfer or Chin Implant surgery can all deliver effective results which to improve patient confidence and quality of life.

How to Create a Cleft Chin?

For patients who wish to create the appearance of a cleft chin, Cleft Chin Creation Surgery is available to add or enhance a dimple in the centre of the chin.

Surgery to create a cleft chin involves removing a small amount of soft tissue or bone from the centre of the chin to artificially create a natural-looking cleft.

Following Cleft Chin Creation Surgery, it can take a few months for the results to fully develop, but once they have, they are long-term and don’t require ongoing maintenance.

Cleft Chin Creation Surgery is an effective option for patients who wish to recontour their chin to create the appearance of a chin dimple.

Frequently Asked Questions