
In French, the term ‘galosh chin’ refers to the "galosh", a colloquial name for an overshoe. This shoe is made from a piece of leather and a wooden sole with a straightened tip.
Thus, a protruding or galosh chin is a chin that is protruding forward. Also called progenia, this condition can be the source of psychological discomfort therefore people with a prominent chin often resort to cosmetic surgery.
What does a prominent chin means?
The chin, located under the mouth is actually a bony protuberance. Depending on the person, the chin is more or less pronounced. Some people may have a lack of chin while in others it might be too prominent.
A prominent chin, also called a protruding chin, is a chin that is protruding forward. It has a prominence of soft tissue or mandibular bone. This characteristic feature can sometimes lead to a number of difficulties and in some cases, people with a prominent chin resort to cosmetic surgery. The V-shaped or heart shape chin is desired most of all by women when seeking changes to the shape of their chin. but have in mind that the perfect chin shape is the one suited to your face and its contour for a well-balanced overall feature.
As so there is no medical treatment for a protruding chin so surgery offers tailored solutions that allow the chin to be pushed back and show excellent results.
Why do I have a prominent chin?
Some people are born with a larger jaw that’s genetically inherited and not caused by an underlying medical condition. As a matter of fact, in about 2% of cases, prognathism is hereditary. Very often, this is a family trait with several members of the same family having a more advanced lower jaw. This was the case, for example with the Habsburg dynasty, a family that possessed this particular trait.
However, a protruding chin is caused in most cases by a functional problem. Indeed, this malformation may be associated with insufficient development of the upper jaw thus the jawbone, narrower than the mandible, blocks the growth of the chin. To compensate, the lower jaw then tends to move forward and the palate eventually atrophies.
Other conditions can lead to prognathism. A medical condition or genetic disorder, such as Crouzon Syndrome or Down Syndrome or growth hormone disorders that cause excessive growth of the jaw.
Over the years, as a result, the chin tends to move forward more and more, accentuating the malformation hence the need to resort to cosmetic surgery to alleviate this problem, which can become a real health problem by impeding breathing in some cases.
Are protruding chins attractive?
Looking at social medial and celebrities, the slightly V-shaped or heart-shaped chin seems to be considered the most desirable nowadays. But attractiveness has more to do with balanced features than a trend. A consultation with our aesthetic doctor will help you see how harmonious your face is and how to change your chin so it suits best your face.

Prominent chin: how to fix it?
In order to restore facial balance and push the chin back, some patients are no longer shy about resorting to cosmetic surgery. In aesthetic medicine, there is no way to correct a protruding chin besides surgery. A genioplasty makes it possible to move the chin back in two different ways:
- By drilling through the lower part of the jawline.
- By jaw fracture surgery: the excess bone slice is fractured and fixed to the anterior part of the chin to maintain facial harmony.
A genioplasty is the most appropriate treatment for a prominent chin. The technique being employed depends on the doctor but also on the extent of the protruding chin.
Recovering from chin surgery
Recovery time depends on the type of surgery you did get. But in general, you will have some side effects such as swelling, bleeding, bruising... Swelling is usually at its worst on the third day and will start to diminish thereafter. Swelling around the chin may be noticeable for 3 to 6 months. The bruising may spread in the skin as it dissipates. It will likely change colors from black/blue/purple to green, to yellow.
Our solutions to fix a prominent chin
Depending on what your concerns are with your chin, we will provide you with the best solution in order to bring back a nice balance to your features. From injections to the chin surgery, a consultation with our aesthetic doctor and surgeon will help you define the right solution for your need.
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But what if a side is more developed than the other ? Can this solution fix this imbalance ?
In reply to But what if a side is more… by SuM
Hi Su,
Yes, a cosmetic procedure such as genioplasty helps to achieve tailored, precise results! Injections can also help to achieve a balanced face contour. It depends on your needs and chin. Feel free to book a consultation with our doctor at 212-812-1107
I have been living with bad tongue posture for all my life. My lower jaw is so back, are there any exercises I can do at home to fix that ?
In reply to I have been living with bad… by Felicity k
Hi Felicity,
Exercise at home can help the posture of your tongue but it is mostly recommended to see a specialist such speech therapist and an aesthetic doctor to fix the issue and have significant and long-lasting results.
Hello, I am very interested in this. I would like to know how much is the estimated cost for a genioplasty?
In reply to Hello, I am very interested… by Jason L
Hi Jason,
for an estimate please contact our clinic at 212-812-1107, so we can provide you all the information you need.
After how many days patients can talk normally after this kind of surgery ? And go back to the office ?
In reply to After how many days patients… by Christo
Hi Christo,
Swelling of the face can be very important after the procedure, it is maximal at 48 hours of the intervention and gradually fades in 2 weeks. This is why downtime during this period is advised.
Hello, i'm asking if the genioplasty works for all types of asymmetrical jaws ?
In reply to Hello, i'm asking if the… by Brian F
Hi Brian,
this procedure helps fix asymmetrical jaws but there are also less invasive solutions such as fillers depending on the chin.
is this solution for lower jaw only or upper jaw also ?
In reply to is this solution for lower… by Judy T
Hi Judy,
this solution is for the lower jaw.
The upper jaw can be moved forward to improve the upper lip and midfacial support and correct a negative underbite, the procedure is referred to as Le fort 1 maxillary osteotomy.
Hello i have an underbite issue (my lower teeth extend farther than your upper teeth) what do you suggest for me please ?
In reply to Hello i have an underbite… by Laura L
Hi Laura,
we recommend to book a consultation with our board certified surgeon so he can advice you with the best solution for your chin
good morning, will the genioplasty also fix face asymmetry ? or just a protuding jaw ?
In reply to good morning, will the… by Amy K
Hi Amy,
this procedure will help balance out the entire face and bring back harmony to your facial features.