Profile Correction: Specialists and Information

Profile correction is an umbrella term for three types of plastic surgery procedures:

• rhinoplasty,
• forehead correction, and
• chin correction.

This is due to the desired harmonious interplay of these three elements, which are essential to the facial profile. A harmonious interplay of facial features is considered attractive and aesthetically pleasing.

A cosmetic surgical procedure that optimizes the facial profile is called profile plastic surgery or profile correction.

The procedure and exact method of the surgery vary from case to case.

In chin surgery, for example, the surgeon uses chin implants. In some cases, specialists can also correct or optimize the profile using braces or hyaluronic acid.

Rhinoplasty is one of the typical procedures for profile correction © New Africa | AdobeStock

Some people are dissatisfied with their face or facial features:

• For example, do you feel that your lower jaw is too wide?
• Do you suffer from noticeable asymmetry in the cheek area that cannot be concealed?
• Is the passage of time taking its toll, causing connective tissue to become increasingly saggy and resulting in unwanted changes to your facial profile?

The desire for a profile correction can arise at a young age or only as one gets older. The need for a correction for health reasons can also affect people of any age group.

Some misalignments are congenital, while others may have been caused by an accident.

Further consequences are also possible: for example, if a misalignment of the upper and lower jaws remains untreated, it can lead to serious consequences for the teeth and jaws. An underbite or overbite, for instance, makes speaking and eating difficult. Therefore, treatment is definitely recommended.

Nose surgery to correct a deviated nasal septum can also resolve difficulties with breathing and/or smelling.

In summary, the goals of profile correction are to

• to optimize the appearance of the affected patients and
• to address any existing health issues or disorders.

Before undergoing a profile correction procedure, be sure to consult with a specialist in detail. Be sure to discuss your own ideas and wishes during this consultation. The doctor can clarify which wishes are feasible and truly sensible. He will also explain the details—tailored to your personal situation—regarding recommended procedures, treatment outcomes, and more.

Depending on the severity and complexity, the procedure is performed either on an outpatient or inpatient basis under

• local anesthesia,
• general anesthesia, or
• twilight sedation.

The duration also varies from case to case.

In general, the doctor makes it a priority to prevent the formation of externally visible scars. Accordingly, surgeries to correct the chin and lower jaw are performed through the mouth.

A complete profile correction includes cosmetic chin and nose surgery. However, partial corrections are also possible. Accordingly, correcting the tip of the nose or smoothing out nasal bumps is often sufficient to make the profile more attractive. If you suffer from the aforementioned receding chin, a profile-altering chin augmentation using implants is a suitable option.

Alternatively, many corrections can also be performed without surgery. These so-called non-invasive procedures primarily rely on hyaluronic acid as a proven filler material. They have proven particularly successful in correcting a receding chin and a saddle nose.

Instead of incisions made under general anesthesia, the procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. Hyaluronic acid is injected into the tissue through tiny cannulas. This procedure typically takes no more than half an hour.

The advantages of a non-invasive procedure are:

• no visible scars,
• a significantly shorter healing process, and
• minimal restrictions following treatment.

The patient must cover the costs of profile correction themselves if it is cosmetic surgery performed for aesthetic reasons. For a complex surgical profile correction under general anesthesia, the costs range from 5,000 to 10,000 euros.

In this case, it’s worth searching for qualified specialists in advance and comparing different quotes.

In contrast, health insurance covers medically necessary procedures in full or in part.

Aftercare depends largely on the type and extent of the correction. Always follow your doctor’s instructions exactly.

General recommendations include

• rest,
• strict hygiene, and
• avoiding pressure and/or friction.

After a chin correction, you should eat only soft foods for one week to minimize swelling.

Every surgical procedure carries risks.

Complications of a profile correction may include, among other things,

• postoperative bleeding,
• inflammation,
• numbness, particularly in the lower lip and lower jaw.

In rare cases, if the lower jaw is involved, the teeth may also be damaged.

However, bruising and swelling immediately following a profile correction are normal. These symptoms usually subside on their own after some time. If you have any questions or concerns about this, or if you experience persistent symptoms, be sure to contact your doctor.

When it comes to the results of the procedure, choosing an experienced doctor plays a crucial role. Be sure to take your time in your search before making a decision. Clarify all questions that are important to you before the procedure.

The qualifications a physician should have depend largely on the specific correction being performed. For rhinoplasty, for example,

• ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists with a focus on plastic surgery
• as well as plastic and cosmetic surgeons with the appropriate specialized training

are suitable candidates. In the case of a chin correction, on the other hand, the primary choice is

• oral and maxillofacial surgeons or
• orthodontists

is the primary option.