Is It Possible to Remove Chin Wrinkles?

As skin loses its elasticity, lines and wrinkles on the lower part of the face can crop up as quickly as those on your forehead. Horizontal grooves between the chin and lower lip -- and vertical marionette lines that run from the nose down the chin -- can result from too much sun, genes, recurring facial expressions, weight loss or smoking. While total removal is difficult, a dermatologist can recommend ways to flatten, smooth and lessen the appearance of chin wrinkles.

Woman applying lotion to her chin in a mirror. (Image: CandyBoxImages/iStock/Getty Images)

Lift Them

Facelift surgery is effective for tightening the skin and thus flattening out the creases and wrinkles that run down the chin from the nose. Facelifts are the longest-lasting of the wrinkle-removing procedures, but are generally the most expensive and invasive. Facelifts can be performed just on the lower face, to pull up loose sagging skin that creates grooves and wrinkles, or they can be done in conjunction with a brow lift and eyelid surgery.

Fill Them

Soft-tissue fillers use hyaluronic acid gel or collagen and are injected directly into the chin lines. These fillers can last from six months to as long as three years. Brand names of hyaluronic acid-based fillers include Juvederm, Restylane and Perlane. Another filler, Radiesse, is calcium hydroxyapatite. The results of these products generally last longer than collagen-based fillers. While not technically a filler, Botox can be injected to block nerve signals and relax the muscles in the chin area, preventing the muscles from tightening and making wrinkles worse. Botox can be used in conjunction with a filler to extend the results.

Tighten Them

Non-invasive procedures such as infrared laser, radiofrequency and pulsed infrared light can tighten chin skin, flattening and smoothing marionette lines and other wrinkles. These procedures send heat into the skin that triggers new collagen formation, producing a tighter and firmer appearance. More than one treatment may be required, and results can last up to a year.

Sand or Peel Them

Microdermabrasion removes a fine outer layer of skin, exfoliating the surface and vacuuming off the dead cells. A new layer of smoother skin grows in the sanded area. Several treatments could be required, and the results may be temporary and not as evident as other more invasive methods. Chemical peels use an acid to remove the epidermis, or outer layer, of skin. While they can work to smooth the skin's surface, chemical peels are generally not as effective as other procedures for removing deep wrinkles, such as those on the chin, that are caused by sagging.