'Chinplants' fastest-growing procedure

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ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill., April 17 (UPI) -- The number of chin augmentation procedures grew more than breast augmentation, Botox and liposuction combined in 2011, U.S. plastic surgeons said.

The procedure rose in both women and men, as well as in all patients age 20 and older -- with the largest increase seen in patients age 40 or older, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons said in a report.

The phenomenon appears to be sparked, in part, by increased usage of video chat technology, an aging baby boomer population and a desire for success in the workplace.

"The chin and jawline are among the first areas to show signs of aging. People are considering chin augmentation as a way to restore their youthful look just like a facelift or eyelid surgery," Dr. Malcolm Z. Roth, president of the ASPS, said in a statement. "We also know that as more people see themselves on video chat technology, they may notice that their jawline is not as sharp as they want it to be. Chin implants can make a dramatic difference."

Lizette Stephens said she does "a lot of video chats and I'm in a lot of photos and noticed that my double chin was very pronounced."

"It really, really bothered me," Stephens said. "I wanted to do something about it to get a more profound profile and more definition in my chin area."