Will a thread lift tighten sagging jowls?

Jowls are one of the many consequences of the ageing process. Eventually, everyone gets them to an extent, and as you continue to get older, they will become more prominent. This happens when the supportive compounds that keep our faces looking sculpted, like elastin and collagen, start to diminish, and we can lose fat in the cheeks and temples, causing our jawline to lose its form. Our skin also tends to become drier and thinner, making it less resilient and more vulnerable to the effects of gravity. Sagging skin can therefore develop, creating a jowl-like appearance. Thankfully, there are many treatment options available which can tighten and lift sagging jowls non-surgically. One solution is the thread lift, which stimulates collagen production and tightens the skin with no downtime or scarring. But what exactly is it, and is it the best solution for tightening jowls?

What is a thread lift, and how is it performed?

Cosmetic threads, known as sutures, are inserted via small needle incisions in the jaw or hairline. These are then pulled to lift and sculpt the face, treating sagging jowls, cheeks, and brows. The process is carried out under local anaesthetic and takes less than an hour. In most cases, the threads are bio-absorbable, so they will gradually be broken down naturally over time. As well as giving an immediate lift, most threads are also designed to stimulate collagen within the skin.

How do threads lift sagging jowls?

When used to tighten jowls, the threads are inserted into the skin and gently tugged upwards to lift sagging skin tissues and anchor them where they used to sit before the ageing process took effect. Although thread lifts have become very popular in recent years, the effects of a thread lift can be limited, so patient selection is key. The thread lift procedure is better suited to younger women in their late 30s or early 40s, with minimal jowl formation. When performed correctly and in the right candidate, the treatment gives a natural, soft but noticeable lift, smoothing out deeper-set lines and folds and giving the face back its former structure.

The other options to consider

Since thread lifts require a very particular candidate and aren’t suitable for treating moderate jowls, these are the treatments to consider for a highly effective alternative.

Profound RF

Using heat energy to stimulate the deepest layers of the skin to contract and tighten is a more recent option in the treatment of jowls. The most effective radiofrequency microneedling treatment that we have tried in our clinic is called Profound RF. It delivers radiofrequency energy to the deeper parts of the skin for accurate and controlled collagen stimulation and can provide impressive results. You will notice an immediate skin-tightening effect following treatment, but since we’re stimulating collagen and elastin synthesis, the final results are progressive. Most patients can expect to see significant improvement three months post-treatment. However, optimal results can continue to develop for up to one year following treatment/

Dermal fillers

Since jowls are usually the result of loss of volume and tissue support in the face, fillers in the midface are an excellent option for lifting the lower face. Restoration of volume loss in the cheek and mid-face area, as well as in the pre-jowl sulcus and jawline, can help tighten, lift and restore a smoother, more defined jawline.

Sofwave

The power of ultrasound treatments lies in their ability to send pulses of energy into the lower layers of the skin to stimulate the growth of new collagen from well below the surface to put structure and definition back into your skin for a lifted and tightened look.

We use Sofwave Ultrasound, which 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 optimal results become more apparent over three to six months as new collagen builds, which gradually lifts the skin, lasting a year or more. We recommend maintenance treatments performed roughly every year, depending on your age and lifestyle.

If you’d like to discuss options for rejuvenating sagging jowls, click here to enquire or book a consultation with an expert practitioner.