What Are Jowls?
Jowls are the sagging or drooping of skin and soft tissue along the jawline, often appearing as loose folds that disrupt the smooth contour from the chin to the jaw. They are a common part of aging though timing may vary depending on genetics, lifestyle, and facial structure.
Causes of Jowls
- Natural aging & collagen loss: As collagen and elastin decline, the skin loses its firmness and begins to sag.
- Bone resorption & fat shifts: Jawbone shrinkage and the repositioning of deep fat pads can accentuate drooping.
- Lifestyle & environmental factors: Smoking, UV exposure, rapid weight fluctuations, and postural habits can all accelerate jowl formation.
How to Prevent Jowls
Positive lifestyle and skincare habits can help individuals prevent the formation of jowls.
- Use broad-spectrum sunscreen daily to minimize UV damage and preserve collagen and elastin.
- Stay hydrated and eat a healthy, balanced diet to support skin health.
- Avoid smoking as it reduces blood flow and increases premature aging.
- Keep your head and neck in neutral alignment when using screens to avoid repetitive skin bunching or stretching.
- Incorporate retinoids, peptides, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid to stimulate collagen that firms and hydrates the skin.
Treating Jowls
Non-Surgical Treatments
- Dermal fillers are injected along the jawline and pre-jowl sulcus to add volume, support sagging skin, and restore contour. Effects typically last 6-18 months.
- Neurotoxin injections help relax downward pulling muscles to subtly lift the jawline. Typical results last 3-4 months.
- Ultherapy penetrates the skin and stimulates long-term collagen remodeling, gradually tightening the skin over a few months.
- Microneedling and Morpheus8 delivers controlled micro-injury and heat energy to boost collagen and tighten deeper tissue.
Surgical Treatments
For moderate to severe jowls, surgery may offer the most dramatic and long-lasting results.
- A facelift is considered the gold standard for jowl correction. It involves the repositioning of skin, the tightening of muscles, and the removal of excess tissue along the jawline and neck. Results can last 5-15 years depending on technique and individual aging.
- FaceTite heats deep layers of the skin to firm and reduce small fat pockets.
- A neck lift often combined with a facelift corrects neck laxity and defines the jawline. It repositions tissue and tightens underlying muscles to smooth jowls and bands.
- Facial liposuction or a fat transfer removes small fat pockets under the jaw. Augmenting the cheeks or jawline can soften jowls.
At SVIA Plastic Surgery & MedSpa, we combine aesthetic artistry with medical expertise. Whether you're looking to prevent sagging or take steps toward a sharper, more youthful jawline, let's design the right treatment plan for you. You can request an appointment by clicking HERE.
Note: Individual results may vary. It's essential to consult with our specialists to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for your needs.
