How To Lift Sagging Jowls

As you age, sagging jowls can develop in the lower section of the face and jawline – they are a common sign of ageing in both men and women and lifting them can be very difficult to remedy without cosmetic treatment.

This article will explore the phenomenon of sagging jowls and the best surgical and non-surgical treatments available, such as a surgical facelift, dermal fillers, targeted liposuction and the Fotona 4D facelift.

The CREO Clinic’s team of Aesthetic Doctors and cosmetic practitioners have the experience and expertise to make artful adjustments to the face that will reduce the appearance of jowls and help to provide smoother, firmer skin on the face and neck.
Contact the CREO Clinic today to find out what our team of aesthetic practitioners can do for your sagging jowls

Medically reviewed by Dr. Omar Tillo MD, MS, EBOPRAS, FRCS (Plast)

What Are Jowls?

Jowls are accumulations of fat and loose skin that can become prominent around the jawline as we age. They sag downwards from the cheeks and become worse as levels of collagen and elastin in our skin decrease over time – less of both proteins means the skin has less strength and structure to resist the forces of gravity.

What Causes Sagging Jowls?

Factors That Contribute To Sagging Jowls

The biggest contributor to sagging jowls is the natural process of ageing, as this reduces collagen and elastin production in the skin and prevents the skin from staying firm, meaning it will stretch and sag over time. 

There are some other factors that contribute to sagging jowls in the skin, such as:

• Genetics — Your natural face shape can contribute to the development of jowls 
• Exposure to UV rays – Excess exposure to UV rays can lead to collagen loss in the skin, which can cause sagging
• Rapid weight loss or gain – Fluctuations in weight can lead to lax skin in the face that may present as jowls
• Smoking – Like UV rays, smoking can also contribute to collagen loss in the skin

Non-Surgical Treatment Options

Dermal Fillers

One method of treating sagging jowls is to use dermal fillers, injecting them into the skin and plumping up areas where lax skin has created sagging jowls. This is a temporary solution to the issue, as most dermal fillers around the jawline and cheeks last between 12-24 months.

Fotona 4D

The Fotona 4D non-surgical facelift can help to reinvigorate and lift the skin, improving the tone and texture of facial skin while increasing levels of collagen to reduce jowls.

This treatment uses two laser modalities – the Er:YAG and Nd:YAG – in a complementary fashion to give the skin of your face an overall lift. This is a non-invasive treatment that yields long-term results for the skin, not only helping reduce jowls, but also fine lines, wrinkles, and other facial signs of ageing.

Pros & Cons of Non-Surgical Treatment For Sagging Jowls

Non-surgical treatments for sagging jowls have many important benefits in comparison to surgical alternatives, such as much shorter recovery times – often, you will be able to return to work immediately after treatment. non-surgical treatments are less invasive, present less risk of complications, and often provide long-lasting positive effects on the lax skin and fat pockets that create jowls.

However, it is also true that in many cases, non-surgical treatments are more appropriate for mild jowls, and surgery may be more suitable in cases of advanced laxity. 

Surgical Treatment Options 

Facelift

One of the most common surgeries to reduce the appearance of jowls is a facelift. A facelift is an invasive surgery that works to reduce jowls by tightening up and smoothing the skin around the jaw.

The effects of a facelift are permanent, eliminating drooping jowls and restoring a more youthful appearance to the lower half of the face.

Neck Lift

A neck lift works to tighten up the skin of the neck and jowls – it is often performed in combination with a facelift to give a holistic enhancement that sculpts the face and removes any sagging skin. Its effects are permanent and, when combined with other face lifts can make transformative changes to the appearance of the neck and face.

Liposuction

Liposuction that targets pockets of fat around the neck and chin can reduce jowls significantly, giving the jawline a greater contour and lifting the appearance of the neck, cheeks, and chin. Targeted liposuction for the reduction of jowls is preferable in the case of younger people experiencing milder jowls.

Pros & Cons of Surgical Treatment For Sagging Jowls

One of the important advantages of surgical procedures for sagging jowls is that the enhancements made are permanent – they can last for a decade or more before any touch ups may be necessary. Some surgical treatments for jowls, such as a facelift, can tighten up the facial muscles, give your lower face better structure, and add longevity to your cosmetic enhancements.

One consideration that should be made before undergoing surgical treatment for sagging jowls is that recovery times are longer than their non-invasive counterparts. A facelift or neck lift may require months of downtime before you can see your final results.

How To Prevent Sagging Jowls

Chin and Neck Exercises

Some online sources believe that facial exercises are able to reduce the appearance of jowls by strengthening muscles below the skin. However, the clinical practitioners at the CREO Clinic have not seen any evidence to indicate this is effective, nor do they see any scientific basis for chin and neck exercises as a solution for jowls.

Lifestyle Changes

Some changes in lifestyle may help you to prevent sagging jowls from developing. For example, maintaining a healthy weight is a good way to avoid skin stretching and loss of elasticity. Wearing high-factor sun cream regularly and keeping yourself properly hydrated are also excellent ways to keep your skin healthy and ensure skin collagen levels are optimal.

Practise Good Skincare Routines

Making sure to moisturise and exfoliate the skin on a regular basis will help to keep your skin looking fresh and healthy. Using skincare products that have ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or retinol can contribute to keeping collagen levels and skin hydration high.

Consider Professional Treatment

The lax skin and pockets of fat that cause jowls can often be resistant to lifestyle changes. and professional cosmetic treatments are the best way to reduce their appearance. Liposuction, Fotona 4D treatments, and other non-invasive procedures such as dermal fillers may be the best route to less prominent jowls and firmer skin around the cheeks and jaw – particularly in cases of mild jowls

Non-Surgical Treatment vs. Surgical Treatment: Which Is For Me?

Deciding whether non-surgical or surgical treatments for sagging jowls are best for you depends on your goals. Non-surgical treatments provide significant improvements to jowls and require far less downtime than their surgical alternatives. On the other hand, surgical alternatives provide more permanent results but often require a larger financial outlay. Non-surgical treatments can often offer a way to preview the potential results of more invasive surgery or improve skin quality in advance of a facial surgery.

It is important to have a clear picture of your own cosmetic goals before making a decision about the best treatment path for you. During your initial consultation at the CREO Clinic, our Aesthetic Doctor can help you understand which treatments are best for your specific needs.

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How To Prepare For Sagging Jowl Treatment

Initial Consultation

During your initial consultation with our facial skin specialist, you will be able to share the details of your aesthetic goals. After this, your Aesthetic Doctor will create a personalised treatment plan based on an assessment of your medical history and aesthetic needs. They will explain which treatments are best suited for you and how you can prepare for the procedure.

Treatment Procedure

In the case of the Fotona 4D treatment, you will undergo a session that lasts between 60-90 minutes. Each session is a four-stage process using the Fotona Dynamis SP to apply both Er:YAG and Nd:YAG lasers to different areas of the face, with each stage achieving different effects. 

For liposuction jowl reduction, our Medical Director and cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Omar Tillo, will mark particular areas of the face in order to remove the pockets of fat that are creating your jowls. An anaesthetic and/or a sedative will be administered if necessary to keep you as comfortable as possible throughout the surgery.

A cannula is inserted into the marked areas via a tiny incision, then the fat is then broken down by the liposuction device and removed.

Aftercare And Recovery Timeline

In the case of Fotona 4D jowl reduction, no downtime is necessary. You can return to work on the same day as the treatment, but you may experience some redness and swelling. These harmless side effects should dissipate in the coming days.

Liposuction on the face does not require a great deal of downtime – most find they are able to return to work after a few days. It is important to rest for these first few days post-procedure and try to avoid any strenuous exercise or activities that can strain the face for at least a week after the procedure.

Schedule A Consultation At CREO Clinic Today For Sagging Jowl Treatment

Book a consultation at the CREO Clinic today to find out the many ways you can lift sagging jowls through surgical and non-surgical treatments. Our team of experienced cosmetic practitioners are able to create personalised treatment plans that can help you see significant improvements to the firmness and contour of your cheeks and chin, removing drooping bags and unwanted excess skin.

FAQs About Sagging Jowls