Your complete guide to side profile enhancement

By Dr. Aaron Stanes

Treatment guide

Discover the vital information you MUST know about side profile balancing with our detailed guide written by expert cosmetic doctors.


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    Side profile enhancement is also known as ‘profile plasty’, ‘side profile plasty’, ‘profile balancing’ and ‘side profile balancing’.

     

    Understanding Side Profile Enhancement

    What is a side profile?

    A side profile refers the the appearance of your face when viewed from the side. It consists of the following areas of the face:

    • Forehead
    • Nose
    • Lips
    • Chin
    • Under chin
    • Cheekbones
    • Jawline

    What is a side profile enhancement?

    A side profile enhancement is a non-surgical treatment that uses cosmetic injectables to change the shape and proportions of your appearance from the side-on view.

    Typically, dermal fillers are injected to reshape a combination of your forehead, nose, lips, chin, jawline and cheekbones, however fat dissolving may also be used to reduce under chin fat.

    A side profile enhancement is a popular non-surgical treatment because it improve the overall structure of your face without making you appear like a different person. Results can be tailored to your specific concerns and unique side profile goals.

    What should I expect following a side profile enhancement?

    After having a side profile enhancement, you can expect the following:

    Immediately after:

    • Slight swelling, tenderness and redness.
    • Mild bruising.
    • An instant improvement in your side profile.

    Within days:

    • Resolution of swelling, bruising and tenderness.
    • An improvement in your result.

    Within weeks:

    • Any dermal fillers injected will settle into position, and you can enjoy the final result.
    • If your side profile enhancement involved fat dissolving, then you will see the final result in 8 weeks.

    Are there any permanent solutions for side profile enhancement?

    Most side profile enhancement treatments are performed using temporary cosmetic injectables because of their safety and reversibility. A temporary option also means that if your preferences change in future then you haven’t made any permanent changes.

    If you are looking for a permanent solution to enhance your side profile, only certain areas can be targeted. Some permanent options to side profile enhancement include:

    • Rhinoplasty: to change the appearance of your nose. A non-surgical rhinoplasty is the temporary counterpart.
    • Chin implant: to reshape the structure of your chin. A non-surgical chin augmentation is a temporary alternative.

    Both fat dissolving injections or liposuction permanently reduce under chin fat, with each differing in convenience, risk and cost.

    How do I fix my jawline and side profile?

    If you want to improve the appearance of your jawline and side profile, dermal fillers are the most effective option.

    Dermal fillers contour the structure of your jawline by adding support to the skin over your jaw bone. This improves the shape, symmetry and definition of your jawline, which also enhances the appearance of your side profile.

    How do I balance my side profile?

    To balance your side profile there are a few steps to take.

    1. Do your research and learn about the components of the side profile, and the ideal proportions relative to your gender, ethnicity and aesthetic preferences.
    2. Consult with a qualified cosmetic doctor who can work with you to design a personalised side profile treatment.
    3. You can then balance your side profile with a combination of:

    The specific combination used to balance your side profile depends on your personal preferences and side profile goals.

    Procedure Details

    What does a side profile enhancement procedure involve?

    A side profile enhancement involves a number of steps:

    1. Consultation: You’ll meet with your chosen cosmetic doctor to discuss your concerns, and formulate a personalised treatment plan.
    2. Preparation: Your skin will be cleaned, marked, and numbed to ensure a safe, precise and comfortable treatment.
    3. Treatment: Cosmetic injectables will then be carefully administered into pre-planned areas of your side profile.
    4. Aftercare: Following your treatment, you will need to diligently adhere to the aftercare instructions to ensure optimal healing.
    5. Results: Once healed (usually 2-3 days) you can enjoy your new side profile.

    How long can I expect a side profile enhancement to take?

    A side profile enhancement is a surprisingly fast treatment, generally taking 10-20 minutes. The extent of your side profile enhancement will determine the time taken. The extent will depend on:

    • Your areas of concern
    • How much of a difference you would like to achieve
    • The modalities required

    Will I feel discomfort during a side profile enhancement?

    It is normal to feel slight discomfort during a side profile enhancement. Most people rate the discomfort 2-3 out of 10. Fortunately there are a number of ways to reduce any pain you experience. You can take over-the-counter pain relief before your treatment, and most reputable clinics have numbing gel, anaesthetic injections, and cosmetic injectables that contain strong numbing agents.

    How long before I see the results of a side profile enhancement?

    One of the most popular benefits of a side profile enhancement is that it achieves an immediate result. The only exception is if you’ve had fat dissolving injections to reduce under chin fat, which takes 8 weeks to reach full effect.

    How long will the results of a side profile enhancement last?

    You can expect the result from your side profile enhancement to require maintenance every 12-24 months on average. Typically subsequent treatments give longer lasting results, so it is important to stay on top of your maintenance appointments.

    Fat dissolving injections permanently remove fat cells. While you may need more than one treatment to reduce under chin fat as a component of your side profile enhancement, you should only need to repeat this if you gain weight and any remaining fat cells increase in size.

    Is there any downtime following a side profile enhancement?

    A key benefit of a side profile enhancement is that there is no downtime. You can resume almost all activity immediately, however you should be careful to avoid strenuous exercise and alcohol for 24 hours.

    Most people experience mild swelling and redness, and occasional bruising in the treated areas, but these shouldn’t limit you from going about your regular day.

    What is the recovery time for side profile enhancement procedures?

    There is no recovery time for a side profile enhancement, however there are a number of aftercare steps you should follow to expedite the healing process.

    • Avoid alcohol, makeup and strenuous exercise for 24 hours
    • Do not apply firm pressure to the treated areas for 7 days
    • Monitor the treated areas for any sign of a side effect, like increasing pain, redness, swelling and skin rashes.

    What is the aftercare for side profile enhancement?

    Side profile enhancement aftercare has a number of steps. After balancing your side profile, the most important steps are to be gentle with the treated area, gently apply a cold pack, and keep your skin clean and free from makeup for 24 hours.

     

    How long does swelling last after a side profile enhancement procedure?

    Most swelling after a side profile enhancement resolves quickly, typically within 2-3 days. However, if you’ve had double chin fat treatment, swelling in this area may take 5-7 days to resolve.

    What is involved in a non-surgical nose job for side profile enhancement?

    One of the most popular components of a side profile enhancement is a non-surgical nose job. This innovative treatment uses dermal fillers to instantly change the shape of your nose without downtime. It can be performed as a stand-alone treatment, or as part of a side profile enhancement. The steps involved in a non-surgical nose job are:

    1. Consultation to assess your suitability
    2. Treatment planning
    3. Injections of dermal fillers
    4. Moulding the fillers into shape
    5. Aftercare

    Most people combine their non-surgical nose job with a lip and chin augmentation when enhancing their side profile.

    What is the difference between chin fillers and chin implants for side profile enhancement?

    Augmenting the chin is a staple component of enhancing your side profile. This can be done surgically and non-surgically.

    Chin fillers are the non-surgical approach, involving injections of dermal fillers to add projection and shape to your chin.

    A chin implant is a surgical procedure that is typically reserved for very extensive cosmetic changes to people with significant structural issues.

    Cost and Other Considerations

    How much will a side profile enhancement cost me?

    Most side profile enhancements generally range from $1750 to $2500 depending on the extent and complexity of your treatment. As each person’s needs and goals are different, there is no fixed price, and a consultation will be needed to determine the exact cost.

    Is it worth getting a side profile enhancement?

    Whether or not a side profile enhancement is worth it is a subjective opinion that depends on many factors. When deciding if the treatment is something you want to pursue, you should consider the following:

    Benefits of a side profile enhancement:

    • Instant, reversible results (for areas treated with dermal fillers)
    • No downtime treatment
    • Improves your appearance without invasive surgery
    • The treatment can be tailored to your unique concerns and side profile goals
    • Temporary results: you can try out different styles of side profile, change your treatment plan if your preferences change or if your needs change as your face ages.

    Drawbacks of a side profile enhancement

    • May not be able to achieve more dramatic transformations
    • Risks: all cosmetic treatments have potential side effects, and you should discuss these during your side profile consultation

    Safety and Risks

    Are there any risks associated with a side profile enhancement?

    All cosmetic procedures have risks, and a side profile enhancement is no exception. It is crucial to choose an experienced cosmetic doctor when enhancing your skin profile to minimise risks. The potential risks of a side profile enhancement include:

    • Bruising and swelling
    • Infections and allergic reactions
    • Skin and soft tissue injury

    Who is not a suitable candidate for a side profile enhancement?

    There are a few cases where you may be unsuitable for a side profile enhancement. These include:

    • Currently pregnant or breastfeeding
    • Unrealistic expectations about what is achievable
    • Significant structural issues more suited to surgical treatments

    Procedure Options

    Are side profile enhancements surgical or non-surgical?

    A traditional side profile enhancement is a non-surgical procedure done using cosmetic injectables.

    There are surgical treatments like rhinoplasty and chin implants that can improve your side profile.

    Can dermal fillers be used for side profile enhancement?

    Yes, dermal fillers are the primary modality used to enhance the side profile. The forehead, nose, lips, chin, cheekbones and jawline are all areas that dermal fillers can treat.

    Can side profile enhancement address a weak chin?

    Yes, augmenting a weak chin is a key component of most side profile enhancements. This is achieved using dermal filler injections to add projection, balancing the lower aspect of your side profile.

    Are there non-surgical alternatives for chin augmentation?

    Yes, dermal fillers are a simple and effective non-surgical option to augment your chin.

    Can side profile enhancement correct a receding chin?

    Yes, a side profile enhancement can also include treatment for a receding chin. Dermal fillers are an option to immediately add projection to your chin as a component of your side profile enhancement.

    Preparation and Aftercare

    How should I prepare for a side profile enhancement?

    Preparing for a side profile enhancement is an important part of your treatment. Proper preparation ensure that your treatment goes smoothly, and reduces the risk of side effects. Take these steps before your side profile enhancement:

    • Research the treatment so that you fully understand what’s involved
    • Avoid alcohol, smoking and intense exercise within 24 hours of your appointment
    • Remove all makeup before you arrive at the clinic
    • Closely trim any facial hair in any applicable areas of concern you have

    Will I experience discomfort following a side profile enhancement?

    It is normal to experience slight discomfort after having a side profile enhancement. To reduce discomfort you can use over-the-counter pain relief and gently apply a wrapped cold pack to the treated areas.

    What factors should I consider before undergoing side profile enhancement?

    Before choosing to undergo a side profile enhancement, it is important to be informed. Consider these factors before proceeding:

    Benefits

    • Quick, no downtime treatment with instant, and reversible results for areas treated with dermal fillers
    • Much lower risk than surgical options
    • Adjust your treatment with maintenance sessions as your face ages and your aesthetic preferences change

    Drawbacks

    • There are limitations in how much difference can be achieved
    • While lower risk than surgery, side effects still exist
    • Significant variability in quality across different clinics, so choose carefully

    How long before I can start exercising following a side profile enhancement?

    You can resume light exercise like walking immediately after your side profile enhancement. Avoid intense exercise for 24-48 hours, as this can worsen swelling and delay healing.

    Other Questions

    Can side profile enhancement be combined with other facial procedures?

    Yes, a side profile can be combined with other facial procedures. Anti-wrinkle injections are the treatment most commonly combined with a side profile enhancement.

    Can side profile enhancement improve the appearance of my neck?

    Yes, a side profile can improve the appearance of your neck by reducing under chin fat and sharpening your jawline contour. For further improvements, you can also treat vertical neck bands with botox.

    Are there age restrictions for side profile enhancement procedures?

    You must be at least 18 years of age to undergo a side profile enhancement.

    What is profiloplasty?

    A profiloplasty, also called profile balancing or a side profile enhancement, is a non-surgical cosmetic treatment designed to improve your appearance as seen from the side on perspective.

    Often targeting a combination of your forehead, nose, lips, chin, under chin, cheekbones and jawline, the treatment uses cosmetic injectables like dermal fillers to change the shape and proportion of these features.

    Side profile balancing

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