What is the best treatment for saggy jowls?

Loose, sagging skin along the jawline is an issue that is commonly referred to as ‘jowls’ or ‘jowling’, particularly skin that sinks below the jaw itself. Jowls are a common concern that usually makes an appearance at some point in our forties, as loss of volume and elasticity start to show in the skin. Our jawline is the scaffolding for the entire face, so ensuring it is kept firm and taut can help the skin remain lifted for longer and keep jowls at bay, reflecting beauty and youth.

If you’re looking for a solution for your jowls, the good news is there’s a whole host of treatments – new and old, holistic, and aesthetic – that can be utilised to great effect on the area. And they’re also appealingly discreet.

What causes sagging jowls?

Jowls happen as the skin becomes thinner and we lose collagen and elasticity in the skin with age, prompting the skin below your chin or jawline to drop. Collagen and elastin are proteins that create elasticity in the skin, connecting it to tissue and helping it spring back into shape as we move. Age-related bone loss is another factor. As we age our bones get smaller and our jaw may shrink, prompting the skin in this area to begin to sag. Jowls tend to appear in our forties or fifties and almost everyone will experience some degree of loss of elasticity in this area.

The extent to which we have them is often genetic, though lifestyle factors such as weight loss, stress, or smoking can speed up their arrival. Leading a healthy lifestyle and using good-quality skincare including daily sun protection can help maintain the skin’s supportive structure for longer.

Why does the jawline have such a significant impact on the face?

The jawline helps create the ‘triangle of youth’ effect which means there should be more volume in the upper face, tapering down into a ‘V’- shape at the jaw. This is the mathematical ideal of beauty, but aiming to create a shape and definition that suits each individual face can help restore a youthful balance. 

The best non-surgical treakments

Traditionally, facelifts were considered the gold standard for tightening up lax jowls, but as technology has advanced over recent years, there are now plenty of highly effective non-surgical treakments too.

Sofwave

Ultrasound technology has been utilised in aesthetic devices for several years, most commonly in the Ultherapy and HIFU devices. But now there’s a new kid on the block, and it blows everything else out of the water. Using a unique form of Ultrasound energy – Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam Technology – Sofwave works to lift, sculpt and tighten skin on the face and neck, remodelling collagen and elastin at a deep level in the skin for long-lasting results with minimal downtime.

In the early days, Ultherapy treatments were excruciatingly painful, but the technology has moved on a great deal. We also apply a numbing cream is applied pre-procedure, making the procedure very comfortable for most people. Because it doesn’t disrupt the surface of the skin, it’s suitable for all skin tones and types.

Sofwave shows impressive results with one session, takes less than an hour and has zero downtime. Immediate results can be seen as soon as one week following treatment, but optimum results become more apparent over three months as new collagen builds which gradually lifts the skin, lasting a year or more. We recommend maintenance treatments performed every one to two years depending on your age and lifestyle.

The difference between Sofwave and Ultherapy lies in the way the ultrasound is used. Ultherapy uses micro-focused ultrasound (MFU) beams, while Sofwave uses Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam Technology. Sofwave uses a more superficial form of ultrasound. It works within the skin, which means the lift is incredible – 3-4mm on the eyebrow on average – but without the risk of deeper, structural changes that can happen with other devices.

As a result, this device can be used from the top of the forehead right down to the bottom of the neck, including over areas where there are nerves and glands without any risk of causing damage.

Profound RF

The Profound RF combines microneedling and radiofrequency technologies to give a long-term lifting effect through all layers of the skin, from the lowest right up to the surface, making it an excellent solution for drooping jowls.

Microneedling creates minuscule injuries to the skin, simulating a natural healing response of new collagen and elastin fibres that tighten, smooth and resurface the skin. It also delivers targeted fractional radiofrequency deep into the dermis, which provides a powerful skin tightening effect.

Results are typically visible six to eight weeks post-treatment once your skin has moved through its natural healing process. Optimum results appear at three to six months.

Dermal fillers

Using a dense filler like Juvederm Volux, a treatment specially formulated for the chin and jaw area, we can create an elegantly defined jaw, hide jowls, and assist tightening of the lower face. It can also help to restore lost volume by underpinning the face.

During treatment, small amounts of filler are placed strategically along the jawline, creating an ‘edge’ which better frames the face and gives definition – particularly to achieve that reverse ‘L’ shape where the jawline meets the ear. Fillers in this area can last from 12 to 24 months.

To find out more about these treatments, click here to book a consultation with one of our expert practitioners.