What’s the Best Procedure for Sagging Jowls?

Jowls, or the sagging skin that commonly forms beneath the chin and jawline as we age, are a common cosmetic concern for both women and men. Fortunately, there are both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options that can improve the appearance of drooping jowls, restoring a more youthful-looking facial contour.

If you are bothered by the appearance of jowls, consider the treatment options that Dr. Ezzat explains below.

What Causes Jowls?

Like wrinkles, jowls are a common sign of aging that result from declining collagen and elastin within the skin. While not everyone necessarily develops jowls, they are quite common among women and men in their 40s and beyond. In addition to natural aging, other factors that can contribute to the development of sagging jowls include:

Genetics. Some people may be more genetically predisposed to developing jowls than others.

Sun exposure. Years of accumulated sun exposure can lead to premature skin aging, including fine lines, wrinkles and jowls.

Smoking. Like sun exposure, smoking can accelerate the natural aging process and can therefore contribute to skin laxity and wrinkles.

Significant weight fluctuations. If you have reached a significant weight loss goal, you might notice sagging skin in the face and other areas. This is because the skin can lose some of its elasticity with weight gain, preventing it from “snapping” back into place with weight loss.

What Are the Best Jowl Treatments?

Surgical treatments like a facelift, neck lift or combination procedure are typically the best methods to achieve the most dramatic and comprehensive results when treating moderate to severe sagging jowls.

Facelift

Through a facelift, Dr. Ezzat can address moderate to severe facial sagging in the chin and jawline area by lifting and tightening the skin and underlying muscle tissue. If jowls are your only cosmetic concern, Dr. Ezzat may recommend a mini facelift, which targets only the lower third of your face and can effectively treat jowls and contour the jawline.

Necklift

A neck lift targets the area below the jawline and along the neck to address sagging skin, muscle banding and excess fat deposits. This procedure is ideal for those with concerns about a “turkey neck,” jowls extending into the neck area or overall skin laxity in the neck area.

Are There Nonsurgical Treatments for Jowls?

Because jowls are caused by loose skin, surgical treatments like facelifts and neck lifts typically provide the best results. However, there are some nonsurgical options that can be added to these surgical procedures or used on their own in some milder cases of sagging skin to improve the appearance of jowls and other areas of skin laxity in the face.

FaceTite is a minimally invasive procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to tighten the skin and stimulate collagen production.

Laser treatments, such as laser skin resurfacing, can target sagging skin and improve skin texture and tone. These treatments are often used in conjunction with surgical procedures like facelifts and neck lifts to enhance overall facial rejuvenation.

Radiofrequency microneedling devices like Morpheus8 and Agnes deliver controlled heat energy through tiny needles into the deeper layers of the skin, stimulating collagen production and tightening the skin.

For more information about the best sagging jowl treatment for you, call our Boston office at 857-350-4205 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ezzat today.

Author: Dr. Waleed Ezzat

Dr. Waleed Ezzat is double board-certified in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and otolaryngology/head and neck surgery. At the Boston Center for Facial Plastics, he specializes in face, head and neck reconstructive procedures, congenital and traumatic deformities, and skin or tissue abnormalities resulting from a previous surgery or illness.