Augmentation of the Cheeks, Chin and Pre-jowl Sulcus, and Nasolabial Folds

The demand for augmentation of central and lower facial features continues to increase. There are several safe and effective materials available for this purpose, and techniques have become highly refined. The relative strengths and weaknesses of silicone, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and merseline mesh are discussed for augmentation of the chin/pre-jowl sulcus and cheek. Materials for augmentation of the nasolabial folds (NLF) are also discussed. There are various forms of solid ePTFE that have been developed for soft tissue augmentation. These are particularly well suited for the NLF. Techniques for facial skeletal and soft tissue augmentation are presented.