A sharp jawline and elegant neck contour are widely recognised as hallmarks of facial beauty. If you’ve noticed changes and are exploring options to refine your lower face and neck, two effective procedures to consider are neck liposuction and chin augmentation. Both target different aspects of the jawline—one removes excess fat, while the other enhances bone projection.
As a Specialist Plastic Surgeon based in Sydney, Dr Scott J Turner (FRACS) consults with patients at his Double Bay and Manly clinics, offering personalised treatment plans that address your individual facial structure and aesthetic goals. In this guide, we’ll explore the differences between these procedures, who they’re best suited for, and how combining them can lead to transformative, natural-looking results.
Causes of a Blurred Jawline
Several factors can affect chin and neck definition:
- Genetics – Some people naturally store fat under the chin or have less chin projection.
- Ageing – Skin laxity, weakened platysma muscles, loss of mandible projection, and reduced collagen can lead to sagging.
- Weight Changes – Fat may remain under the chin despite general weight loss.
- Posture – Poor posture (“tech neck”) can exacerbate sagging or fullness.
These factors often combine to create submental fullness (double chin), which can affect self-confidence and facial balance. Understanding the root cause of your concerns is essential to choosing the right procedure.
Neck Liposuction in Sydney: Defining Jawlines
Neck liposuction is a surgical procedure specifically designed to remove localised, excess fat deposits from beneath the chin and along the upper neck and jawline. It directly targets the fatty tissue that contributes to the appearance of a double chin.
Am I a Candidate for Neck Liposuction?
You may be suitable if you:
- Have pinchable fat beneath the chin or along the jawline
- Have good skin elasticity so the skin retracts post-procedure
- Have well-defined underlying mandibular bone structure.
- Are in your 20’s to 30’s with no skin laxity
This procedure is best suited to patients with stubborn fat that doesn’t respond to diet and exercise but who still have firm, elastic skin that will conform to their new contours after surgery.
Neck Liposuction is not ideal for patients with significant loose skin or vertical platysmal bands – consider a neck lift for more extensive concerns.
Dr Turner’s Approach
- Performed under either local anaesthesia (clinic) or general anesthesia (hospital)
- Tiny incisions placed discreetly under the chin or near the ears
- Small liposuction cannula gently removes fat
- Same-day surgery in Dr Turner’s Sydney clinics
Key Benefits: Significant reduction of a double chin, improved jawline definition, and a more refined neck contour.
Explore neck liposuction with Dr Turner
What About Skin Tightening?
If you have minor skin laxity, Dr Turner may recommend combining neck liposuction with non-surgical skin tightening treatments, such as radiofrequency (Facetite). While these options don’t replace a surgical neck lift, they can enhance the results of liposuction in select cases.
Chin Augmentation in Sydney: Enhancing Chin Projection
Chin augmentation, or chin implant surgery, adds structure and improves lower facial harmony by improving the size and projection of the chin itself. It’s ideal if your chin lacks projection or seems recessed in profile by placing a biocompatible implant to create a stronger, more balanced chin profile.
Am I a Candidate for Chin Implants?
Chin augmentation may suit you if you:
- Have a small or weak chin out of proportion to other facial features
- Seeking an improved facial harmony and want a stronger jawline
- Seek improved facial balance between chin, nose, and cheeks
Often, people who feel their nose looks too large actually have an under-projected chin. Enhancing the chin can create a more balanced side profile and improve overall facial proportions. Dr. Turner’s expertise lies in analysing facial proportions and selecting the appropriate implant shape and size to achieve a balanced enhancement that complements your unique features.
Dr Turner’s Approach
Dr Turner uses solid silicone implants, chosen for their safety, adaptability, and easy reversibility. Implants come in multiple sizes and shapes for a custom fit.
- Performed under general anaesthesia in a private hospital
- Submental (under chin) or intraoral (inside mouth) incision
- Creation of tight pocket for silicone implant to create stability
Key Benefits: Improved facial balance and proportion, stronger chin projection, enhanced jawline definition, and improvement in profile view.
Learn more about chin implant surgery
What About Non-Surgical Options?
Non surgical treatments (injectables) can offer a temporary enhancement for those looking to “trial” a stronger chin or who need only a modest correction. Results typically last 12+ months. However, fillers cannot replicate the structural support provided by an implant.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Neck Liposuction | Chin Augmentation |
|---|---|---|
| Targets | Fat under the chin | Bone structure |
| Ideal For | Double chin with good skin elasticity | Weak/recessed chin |
| Anaesthesia | Local or General | General |
| Incision | Under chin / near ears | Under chin or inside mouth |
| Downtime | 7 days | 7 days |
| Type of Change | Subtractive (removes fat) | Additive (enhances bone projection) |
Should I Combine Both Procedures?
If you have both excess fat and a weak chin, combining neck liposuction and chin augmentation can offer a more complete and balanced improvement.
Why Combine?
- Fat removal + structural enhancement = improved contour correction
- One surgery and recovery period
- Ideal for patients in their 20s–30s with good skin elasticity
This approach is particularly popular among patients seeking a more defined jawline from every angle. When done together, these procedures can dramatically improve facial harmony and confidence.
Ask Dr Turner about combined neck liposuction and chin implant surgery
What about Buccal Fat Pad Removal?
Moving above the jawline, Buccal Fat Pad Removal (also called cheek reduction) addresses fullness in the lower face. This procedure targets the naturally occurring pads of fat located in the hollow area of the cheeks, between the cheekbones and jaw bones. Removing a portion of this fat can transform a round facial appearance into a more sculpted, V-shaped contour, highlighting the cheekbones.
Now, imagine addressing all three key zones simultaneously: the cheeks above the jawline, the chin and jawline itself, and the neck below the jawline. For younger patients seeking the most comprehensive and transformative facial sculpting, combining Buccal Fat Removal, Chin Augmentation (Implant), and Neck Liposuction offers unparalleled benefits.
Learn more about buccal fat pad removal
When You Might Need More: Neck Lifts and Facelifts
Neck liposuction, chin implants, and buccal fat removal are powerful tools for fat and structure, but they don’t significantly tighten loose skin or fix sagging neck muscles (platysmal bands). If those are your main issues, Dr. Turner might recommend:
- Neck Lift (Platysmaplasty): Specifically targets moderate to severe neck skin laxity and muscle bands. It involves tightening muscles and removing excess skin through incisions usually hidden around the ears and sometimes under the chin. Recovery is much longer than liposuction.
- Face Lift (Rhytidectomy): Addresses more widespread ageing in the mid-to-lower face and neck, including jowls, deep facial creases, and sagging cheeks, along with neck issues. It involves lifting deeper facial tissues (SMAS) and removing excess skin via more extensive incisions. Recovery is the most extensive.
Dr. Turner’s thorough assessment during your consultation will determine if your concerns about skin laxity or muscle sagging warrant considering a Neck Lift or Face Lift instead of, or sometimes in addition to, neck liposuction or chin augmentation.
Why Choose Dr. Scott Turner?
- FRACS – qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon
- Over a decade of cosmetic surgery experience
- Focused expertise in facial surgery, including neck, chin, and facelift procedures
- Personalised consultation, advanced imaging, and surgical planning
- Clinics conveniently located in Double Bay and Manly
Dr Turner is known for his natural-looking results and patient-centred care. Every treatment plan is developed with your facial proportions, skin quality, and desired outcomes in mind.
Take the Next Step
Understanding whether neck liposuction, chin augmentation, or potentially a combination is right for you starts with understanding the core issue you wish to address – is it primarily fat, structure, or both? The best way to determine your ideal treatment path is through a personalised assessment with Dr Turner.
- Learn more about Neck Liposuction here
- Discover Chin Augmentation options here
- Contact our friendly team on 1300 437 758 or via our Contact Us.
Disclaimer: All surgical procedures carry risks. Results may vary depending on individual anatomy, healing, and other factors. The information provided in this blog post is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. A personal consultation with a qualified specialist surgeon like Dr. Turner is necessary to determine suitability for any procedure and discuss potential risks and benefits.
