Facial augmentation, planned properly and done once.
Chin, cheek, jawline and tear-trough implants, fat transfer and filler - placed by a BAAPS or BAPRAS consultant plastic surgeon, in a CQC-registered clinic, with 3D planning where it matters.
Indicative pricing
What private facial augmentation costs in the UK.
Indicative ranges across UK private providers.
In short
£4,000–£7,000, final result at three to six months.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chin implant (silicone or PSI) | £4,000–£7,000 | 60–90 min GA | 24–48h stay |
| Cheek / malar implants (pair) | £6,000–£10,000 | 90 min GA | 24–48h stay |
| Custom mandibular angle implants (PSI) | £10,000–£20,000 | 2–3h GA | 24–48h stay |
| Tear-trough implants | £4,000–£8,000 | 60–90 min GA | Day-case |
| Fat transfer to face | £4,500–£8,500 | 90 min GA | Day-case |
| Hyaluronic acid filler (per session) | £450–£1,500 | 30 min LA | Same visit |
| Consultation with VECTRA imaging | £250–£450 | 45 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinic, by the surgeon and by the implant material - a stock silicone chin implant is very different from a CT-planned custom PSI mandibular pair.
The problem
The right surgeon, the right modality, the right amount.
Facial augmentation is where the aesthetic industry oversells hardest - permanent implants suggested when filler would do, and vice versa. We fix all three before you commit.
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Not sure filler is enough?
A trial with hyaluronic acid can preview an implant. We say so before you agree to permanent surgery.
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Worried about looking done?
3D planning with VECTRA and a surgeon who errs slightly small - the commonest reason implants look obvious.
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Want it done properly?
A BAAPS or BAPRAS plastic surgeon, a CQC-registered clinic, and screw-fixation to bone for larger implants.
When it helps
When facial augmentation is the right step.
The situations we see most, plus the one red flag that means this is not the right time for surgery.
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Retrogenia (weak chin)
A recessed chin in profile - often the single change that most rebalances the lower face.
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Midface volume loss
Flattened cheeks from ageing or genetics - implants or fat transfer restore projection.
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Undefined jawline
A soft mandibular angle - custom implants sharpen the border between face and neck.
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Tear-trough deformity
A deep hollow under the eye - a small implant or filler can lift the shadow.
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Temple hollowing
Hollow temples from age or weight loss - usually fat transfer or filler rather than an implant.
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Feminising or masculinising the face
Considered facial contouring as part of gender-affirming or aesthetic goals - planned in detail.
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Post-trauma or reconstructive
Correcting facial asymmetry after injury, surgery or congenital difference - often custom PSI implants.
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Red flag: unrealistic expectations
Wanting a completely different face, chasing a filter, or in acute mental distress - surgery is not the right step today.
Modalities compared
Implant, fat, or filler - the honest trade-offs.
What each option on the table actually involves - permanence, downtime, reversibility, and which fits which face.
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Silicone elastomer implants
Smooth, soft solid silicone. The traditional workhorse for chin and cheek - sits in a pocket, easy to remove if needed.
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Medpor (porous polyethylene)
Tissue grows into the implant - very stable, but harder to remove. Often chosen for mandibular angles.
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PEEK and custom PSI titanium
Patient-specific implants milled from a CT scan. The premium option for mandibular, tear-trough or complex reconstruction.
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Fat transfer to the face
Your own fat, harvested from thighs or abdomen and grafted to the face. Natural, but 40–70% take - may need repeat.
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Hyaluronic acid filler
Reversible, quick and non-surgical. Best for small refinements or trialling a shape before implant surgery.
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Biostimulator fillers
Calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse) or poly-L-lactic acid (Sculptra) - semi-permanent, stimulate collagen over months.
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Combination approach
A chin implant plus filler in the tear-trough, or fat transfer on top of cheek implants - often the neatest final result.
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards - honestly.
Facial implant surgery is common and safe when done properly. The things worth planning are your modality, your downtime, and the small but real risks that no honest surgeon will hide from you.
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A mature bony skeleton matters
Facial implants are for adults with a settled facial skeleton - usually age 20 or above. Younger patients are turned away.
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Bruising and swelling are the rule
Bruising for one to two weeks, swelling for two to six weeks. The final shape only settles at three to six months.
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Soft-food diet after intra-oral work
Chin and mandibular implants placed through the mouth need a soft diet and careful oral hygiene for one to two weeks.
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Infection is uncommon but serious
Roughly 1–2% risk. If it happens the implant may need to be removed and replaced months later - a real conversation to have.
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Sensory nerve injury
Temporary numbness of the lower lip (chin implant, mental nerve) or cheek (infraorbital nerve) is common; permanent injury is rare.
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Malposition, asymmetry and revision
Around 5–10% of implants need revision or removal within ten years - for shift, over- or under-projection or a shape you no longer want.
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No contact sport for six weeks
A knock in the first six weeks can shift a fresh implant. Walking is fine from day one; running and gym wait two to three weeks.
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Filler is reversible, permanent is not
Hyaluronic acid can be dissolved with hyaluronidase. Silicone, PEEK and titanium implants are permanent - a surgical decision, not a lunch-break one.
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Red flags
Fever, spreading redness, sudden severe pain or a visible shift in the implant are not normal - call the clinic or A&E the same day.
Reading your operation note
Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever modality was used, the note the surgeon sends you keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Surgical language is precise and can read coldly - we translate it for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the note before your review, just ask.
- 01 Header
Indication and modality chosen
Why the procedure was done - aesthetic, reconstructive, gender-affirming - and whether an implant, fat transfer or filler was used.
- 02 Technique
Approach and fixation
Intra-oral or external, the implant material and size, and whether it was screw-fixed to bone or sat in a pocket.
- 03 Findings
Symmetry, occlusion and nerves
Notes on facial symmetry, dental occlusion, and mental / infraorbital nerve position - the things that predict a good result.
- 04 Impression
Recovery, review timing, expectations
Read this first: expected swelling and bruising, when to return to work and sport, and when the final shape can be judged.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Facial augmentation is almost always self-pay in the UK - insurers cover reconstruction after trauma or cancer but not aesthetic implants, fat transfer or filler.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about facial augmentation.
Quick answers on cost, recovery, permanence, and how implants, fat and filler really compare.
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Implant, fat transfer or filler - how do I choose?
An implant gives permanent, precise projection in a single procedure. Fat transfer uses your own tissue and feels natural but 40–70% takes and it may need repeating. Filler is reversible and quick but temporary. A good surgeon walks you through which fits your face and your appetite for downtime.
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Is facial augmentation painful?
During the procedure you feel nothing - either the area is fully numb, or you are asleep. Afterwards there is soreness, tightness and bruising for one to two weeks, controlled with simple painkillers. Filler has almost no downtime.
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How much does a private facial implant cost in the UK?
Roughly £4,000–£7,000 for a chin implant, £6,000–£10,000 for a pair of cheek implants, and £10,000–£20,000 for custom PSI mandibular implants. Fat transfer is £4,500–£8,500 and hyaluronic acid filler £450–£1,500 per session.
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Will a facial implant look natural?
When the size, shape and position are right, yes. The commonest cause of an obvious implant is one that is too big - a good surgeon errs slightly small, and pre-op 3D planning with VECTRA reduces surprises.
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How long is the recovery after chin or cheek implants?
Bruising and visible swelling take one to two weeks to settle. Deep swelling continues for two to six weeks. The final shape is judged at three to six months. Most people return to office work in 7–10 days.
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Are facial implants permanent?
Silicone, Medpor, PEEK and titanium implants are designed to be permanent. They can be removed or revised if you change your mind or if there is a problem - roughly 5–10% need revision or removal within ten years.
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Will an implant affect my bite or teeth?
A well-planned chin or cheek implant should not affect occlusion. Mandibular angle implants are more involved - a dental check and, where needed, an orthodontic opinion is part of the planning.
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Can facial augmentation be combined with other surgery?
Often, yes. Chin implants pair well with rhinoplasty or facelift; cheek implants with lower-lid surgery; fat transfer with almost anything. Combining reduces total downtime but lengthens the operation - decided case by case.
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When should I see a doctor urgently after the procedure?
Fever, spreading redness, sudden severe pain, heavy bleeding or a visible shift in the implant are all reasons to seek same-day medical help.
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