All About Weak Chins: Causes, Treatments, & When to See a Doctor

What is a weak chin?

A weak chin is set back closer to the neck. A weak chin, which is also called a receding chin or retrognathia, means that the chin curves back toward the neck rather than protruding forward. This typically happens when the lower jaw (mandible) sits farther back than normal and doesn’t align properly with the upper jaw (maxilla). Having a weak chin is completely normal and doesn’t typically indicate any health issues. Celebrities with a weak chin: Adam Driver, Michael B. Jordan, Adriana Lima, Jeremy Allen White, Draya Michele, Edward Norton, Michael Cera, Zoe Kazan If you have a weak chin and are unhappy with its look, there are several ways to help give you the appearance of a stronger, more defined chin. We’ll go over these natural solutions and cosmetic procedures below. People with dramatically recessed chins can experience some mild symptoms, which aren’t dangerous or life-threatening. We’ll explain when to see a doctor for a recessed chin and what treatments are available to improve symptoms. Meet the wikiHow Experts Ellen Turner, MD is a double board-certified dermatologist and founder of the Dermatology Office, specializing in medical, cosmetic, surgical, and laser procedures. Yuly Gorodisky, DO, FACOS is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with over 17 years of surgical experience. Adebola Dele-Michael, MD, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist and owner of Radiant Skin Dermatology and Laser, PLLC with over 12 years of experience. Miranda Mendelson is a makeup and beauty specialist with over 10 years of experience.

What causes a weak chin?

Genetics Many people who have a weak chin are simply born with it. The placement and structure of your chin and jaw are traits you can inherit from your family. So, if your parents or grandparents have more recessed chins, chances are you will, too.

Aging Your face naturally experiences changes as you grow older, which can cause you to develop a more recessed chin. Muscle tone and bone density decrease, which can cause the chin and jaw to move further back toward the neck. This loss of volume in the chin area can increase the angle of the jaw, which contributes to a more recessed chin as well. Facial fat starts to migrate toward your jaw as you get older and your skin grows looser, too. This can cause the tissue around your chin and neck area to sag and droop, which can lead to the appearance of a weaker chin.

Facial injuries Trauma to the chin, jaw, or neck can damage your bones and cause you to develop a more recessed chin. For instance, hard falls on your face and fractures can lead to a weaker chin.

Childhood habits, like thumb sucking Certain habits during infancy and adolescence can also cause your chin to grow more recessed. Children who suck their thumbs past age 5 can develop jaw issues, like an overbite or an open bite, that cause their chins to recede. Not eating a lot of hard foods as a child might affect jaw growth, too. Additionally, breathing primarily through the mouth can cause chin recession.

Overbite An overbite is when the upper teeth and bottom teeth are out of alignment, causing the upper teeth to overlap the bottom ones. This positioning can cause the lower jaw to rest behind the upper jaw, leading to a more recessed chin.

Medical conditions People who have certain genetic disorders may be more likely to have a weak chin. For instance, people born with Pierre-Robin syndrome, Treacher Collins Syndrome, Nager Syndrome, and DiGeorge Syndrome often have recessed chins.

When to See a Doctor About a Weak Chin

Talk to your doctor if you’re having issues eating, speaking, or breathing. If your chin is very recessed, it can cause some noticeable symptoms and complications that impact your daily life. Visit your doctor if you develop any of the below symptoms. They can diagnose you with retrognathia (a recessed chin) and come up with treatment options to reduce your symptoms. Common symptoms and complications: Difficulty chewing and swallowing Speech issues Jaw pain Mouth breathing Trouble keeping your lips together Snoring and sleep apnea Malnutrition TMJ disorder Cavities or gum disease Treatments: For children and teens, orthodontic care can help reduce symptoms of retrognathia and correct their misaligned jaw. This includes braces, headgear, a retainer, or a mouth guard. For adults, jaw surgery is typically the best option for treating retrognathia. This involves cutting and repositioning the jawbone.

Natural Solutions for a Weak Chin

Use makeup to contour your chin and jawline. Makeup and beauty specialist Miranda Mendelson says applying contour makeup to your jawline creates a shadow, which helps your chin and jaw look more defined and sharp. She suggests sweeping a dark bronzer or contour shade along the edge of your jawbone and chin. Then, blend the product toward your neck.

Grow a beard. According to men's grooming expert Craig Whitely, growing out your facial hair is a great way to disguise a weak chin. He says that you can “use the beard hair to actually lengthen your chin and really square off your jaw line” to get a more prominent and defined look. Looking for beard inspo? Check out our guides on different short and long beard styles to try.

Lose excess weight. Certified personal trainer Danny Gordon says, “If there is fatty tissue in the face [and] the jaw line, the leaner your body gets, the more definition…you probably will see.” So, losing any excess fat can help give you the look of a more prominent chin. Just know that you can’t spot reduce fat in a specific area. If you want your chin to appear more defined, you have to lose weight overall. To lose weight: Maintain a balanced diet of lean protein (chicken, fish, tofu), healthy fats (olive oil, avocado, nuts), and complex carbohydrates (fruit, veggies, pasta, brown rice). Eat at a small caloric deficit to lose weight healthily and gradually. Get around 30 minutes of daily cardio exercise. Strength train at least 2 times per week.

Cosmetic Procedures for a Weak Chin

Skin-tightening treatments According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Adebola Dele-Michael, MD, FAAD, skin treatments like lasers, radio frequency skin tightening, and ultrasound therapy can improve the look of loose, sagging skin around the neck and jaw area, which can help a weak chin look more prominent. Double board-certified dermatologist Dr. Ellen Turner specifically recommends the Emface device, which uses radiofrequency and electromagnetic energy to tighten the skin under the chin. How long do results last? Results typically last for 1 to 3 years (depending on the specific skin treatment). Average cost: $1,000-$3,000 per treatment (depends on the specific treatment). Side effects: Swelling and redness, which typically only lasts for a few days. Recovery: 1 to 2 days.

Dermal fillers Dr. Turner says her preferred way to treat a weak jaw is with hyaluronic acid fillers. Injecting the filler around the chin helps it look more prominent, while also lifting the neck and jawline for a more defined look. How long do results last? Results typically last for 6 to 12 months. If you don’t like your results, you can get the filler dissolved at any time. Average cost: $1,200-$1,800, says Dr. Turner. Side effects: Bruising, swelling, and redness, which can last for 1 to 7 days. Recovery: There is no recovery time, says Dr. Turner. You can return to work/school and normal activities immediately.

Neck thread lift A neck thread lift can help lift and tighten your skin, making your chin appear more prominent. During the procedure, a plastic surgeon inserts several lines of thread along your neck. The threads help increase collagen production, which firms up your skin in this area. How long do results last? 1 to 3 years. Average cost: $2,000. Side effects: Swelling and bruising, which can last for 1 week. Recovery: There is no recovery time—you can return to work/school and normal activities immediately.

Fat transfer Fat transfer is a surgical procedure that uses your own fat as filler, which can also help your chin appear more prominent. During the procedure, a plastic surgeon uses a liposuction tool to remove fat from your belly, hips, or thighs. Then, they purify the fat and inject it into your chin. How long do results last? Results are permanent. Average cost: $5,000. The price largely depends on the surgeon you go to. Side effects: Bruising, swelling, and tenderness, which can last for several weeks. Recovery: 1 week.

Chin implant Board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Yuly Gorodisky, DO, FACOS says a surgical chin implant is a great way to address a weaker, more recessed chin. While under local or general anesthesia, a plastic surgeon makes a small cut inside your mouth or under your chin. Then, they place the medical-grade silicone implant over your chin bone and close the incision. How long do results last? Results are permanent. However, you can get the implant removed at any time. Average cost: Around $4,000. The price largely depends on the surgeon you go to. Side effects: Swelling, bruising, tenderness, and discomfort, which can last for several weeks. Recovery: 1 week.

Chin liposuction If you have excess fat under your chin that won’t go away, liposuction is an effective way to remove it and help your chin look sharper. During the procedure, a plastic surgeon makes a small incision and uses a liposuction tool to remove the fat. Dr. Gorodisky says you can often get chin liposuction when getting a chin implant. How long do results last? Results are permanent. Average cost: $3,000-$5,000. The price largely depends on the surgeon you go to. Side effects: Bruising and swelling, which typically last 2 weeks. Recovery: 1 to 2 weeks.

Neck lift If you have a lot of loose skin under your neck, Dr. Gorodisky says a neck lift can be a good option to help define your chin. This surgery removes sagging skin and excess fat under the chin, tightening up the area to help your chin look stronger. During the procedure, a plastic surgeon makes an incision near your sideburns. Then, they cut off excess tissue and reposition your skin. How long do results last? Around 10 years. Average cost: $8,000-$16,000. The price largely depends on the surgeon you go to. Side effects: Swelling, bruising, soreness, tightness, and discomfort, which typically last for several weeks. Recovery: 2 weeks.

Do facial exercises help treat a weak chin?

No, facial exercises are unlikely to improve a weak chin. While lots of people claim that chin exercises, mewing, and facial massages help their chins look stronger, there’s very little scientific evidence that these methods work. The most effective ways to change your chin and jaw structure are through cosmetic procedures, surgery, and orthodontics.

Can a weak chin be attractive?

Yes, a weak chin can definitely be attractive! What someone finds beautiful and attractive is completely subjective and unique to them. While stronger, more prominent chins might be considered “conventionally” beautiful, that doesn’t mean a weaker, more recessed chin isn’t attractive. There’s nothing wrong with having a weak chin—it’s just one feature that adds to your uniqueness and beauty. Plus, attractiveness isn’t “determined” by just one thing. What makes you beautiful is a combination of all your unique features and personality!

Final Takeaway

Having a weak chin is completely normal. Having a weak chin simply means that your chin is positioned closer to your neck, rather than jutting forward. This is a completely normal feature to have that many people are born with. It doesn’t indicate anything negative about your health, though some people with very recessed chins can have trouble chewing or speaking. While there are several natural and cosmetic ways to get a stronger, more prominent chin, it’s not something you need to fix.