Facial balancing considers the entire face when evaluating the features of the face. As a result, a weak chin can be due to a projecting nose and a heavy submental region (below the chin) and thus treating one feature can make the other two features more apparent.
Facial Balancing is not new to practitioners who are already using injectables to improve the profile of their patients. The main challenge is to set up an assessment in a way that makes sense, develop a treatment plan and then explain the compromises to patients who want one simple syringe of filler in one place.
Proportion as a working framework, not a formula
Classical proportion is not a good end point. Most faces are not even close to being in proportion. So, we use the classical proportions for a face as a diagnostic tool. We compare the face to its own internal proportions to determine where it deviates from its own ideal form.
In practical terms, a clinician will use the proportions of the face to establish a comparison with the client’s face and to identify where the greatest departures from the client’s ideal face occur. Therefore, if a face has a shortened lower third and a retruded chin, there will be a series of secondary changes that will be perceived by the client and by others. The apparent length of the nose will increase due to the short lower third, marionette lines will develop in the lower pre-auricular region and there will be an early sign of jawline laxity.
Reading the lower third first
When assessing for facial balancing, Jacksonville patients start by examining the chin and jaw first. This is because the lower third of the face determines the boundary conditions for the face above it. In other words, the projection of the chin affects the perceived volume of the lips, the volume of the lips affects the perceived length and width of the nose, and the definition of the jaw line determines how much mid-face volume will feel full versus heavy.
Symmetry, and knowing which asymmetries to leave alone
While many faces are naturally slightly asymmetrical, there are two types of imbalances, structural/skeletal imbalances which can be present from birth, and acquired/dynamic imbalances caused by the soft tissues (muscles, fat and skin). The latter can be easily corrected with the appropriate use of injectables or other soft tissue treatments.
It is important to record any existing pre-treatment facial asymmetry. This will protect the practitioner and patient from any misunderstandings following treatment. Most people are unaware of the existing facial differences and will attribute any new differences following treatment to the procedure itself. Therefore, it is recommended that all patients are photographed in the same way using a standardized photographic protocol (e.g. Frontal view, 3/4 view and lateral view at fixed distance and with identical lighting).
- Ask the patient to identify what bothers them before offering an assessment, then note whether their concern matches the dominant structural finding.
- Separate resting asymmetry from animated asymmetry by observing smile, speech, and brow elevation.
- Flag occlusal and dental contributions early, since some cases belong with an orthodontist or oral surgeon rather than a syringe.
Why profile assessment changes the plan
However, the frontal views of the face will sell the treatment. The true balancing decisions are made on the lateral views of the face. Here the clinician can measure the patient’s projection. This refers to the anteroposterior position of the following facial landmarks of the face, the brow, nose, upper lip, lower lip and chin. Anyone weighing this kind of work is better served by a clinic that treats the profile as central to the consultation, which is why a practice offering facial balancing in Jacksonville should be assessing you from the side before a needle is ever discussed.
Patients who get lip fill want more in the lips but they have a retrusive chin. Therefore, they actually need less fill in the lips. In fact, they may even need zero fill in the lips. So, when we’re doing these treatments and we’re offering facial balancing to the best Facial Balancing Jacksonville patients, we can actually show them the difference and tend to build the lateral photo into the consultation as routine.
Sequencing and budget conversations
Most patients do not have the funds to complete a full treatment plan. Therefore, it is up to the clinician to decide the best order of treatment for that specific patient
| Stage | Typical focus | Why it comes at this point |
| First | Structural support, chin, jaw angle, deep midface | Establishes projection and defines the frame for all later work |
| Second | Contour refinement, temples, lateral cheek, prejowl | Corrects shadowing that becomes visible once the base is set |
| Third | Surface features, lips, fine lines, skin quality | Volume needs are smaller and more accurate at this stage |
| Maintenance | Reassessment at intervals, selective top-up | Products degrade unevenly, and faces continue to change |
How restraint produces the natural result
Instead of adding a lot of filler to one place on the face and having a lot of obvious ‘tells’ of treatment, by distributing small amounts of product to many areas of the face you will achieve far better results. These ‘tells’ of treatment are typically an overfilled anterior cheek, a shelf above the upper lip and a flattened temple to cheek area.
- Treat to the point where the feature stops drawing attention, not to the point of maximum change.
- Reassess at two weeks with the same photographic setup before adding anything further.
- Track cumulative volume across all sessions, since drift happens across years rather than appointments.
A good facial balancing treatment is difficult to sell to patients, because it is wonderful. Patients will return for other treatments and send their friends.
