How to treat jowls is a common query, and jowling is one of the most common concerns we see in the clinic. Jowling refers to the softening and sagging of skin and soft tissue along the jawline and chin, typically appearing with age as structural support diminishes. For many patients, these can be amongst the first visible signs of facial ageing. The contour of the lower face becomes less defined, with heaviness and widening of our chin and jawline.
While completely natural, many people feel that jowls give a less-than-desirable appearance that does not reflect how they feel on the inside, especially as it can contribute to that feeling of looking tired or sad when looking in the mirror.
This visual change is driven by a complex interplay of factors that include skin laxity due to loss of collagen and elastin, reduction of our bony skeleton and changes in our facial fat pads – that lead to a downward descent of our tissues- overactivity of lower face and neck muscles over time, and weakening of the supporting facial ligaments. Genetics also play a part, as does sun exposure, smoking and general lifestyle factors.
Although it is important to realise that for significant lower-face laxity, the only way to meaningfully reposition and lift the tissues is through surgery, the good news is that, especially for those with mild to moderate jowling, there are highly effective, non-surgical treatments that can help to lift, contour and refresh the jawline without changing the way you look. At Dr Jenny Clinic, we focus on results that are subtle, balanced and tailored to your unique features.
Here is everything you need to know about how treat jowls, and helping to restore some definition to your lower face.
What Causes Jowling?
Jowling occurs when the skin and tissues around the jawline begin to sag. This tends to be caused by a combination of factors:
- Loss of collagen and elastin in the skin, reducing firmness and leading to laxity
- Volume loss in the cheeks and mid-face, causes the skin to descend
- Changes in the underlying bone which further contribute to volume loss
- Increase in the size of the fat pads of the nasolabial and jowl area contributing to heaviness
- Weakening of supporting facial ligaments, allowing the skin to shift downward
- Over-activity of lower-facial and neck muscles causing a persistent downward pull
- Genetics and lifestyle factors
The result is a less defined jawline, with visible softening at the sides of the face.
The Best Non-Surgical Treatments for Jowls
1. Morpheus8: Radio Frequency Microneedling
My personal favourite and top-suggestion for non-surgical jowl reduction is Morpheus8. Morpheus8 combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy to remodel both the dermis and the underlying fat. It helps to contract tissue, improve skin texture and firm the jawline.
Through the advanced settings and treatment parameters offered with Morpheus8, your treatment can be truly tailored so that treatment of the right depth and right intensity can be delivered in a very precise manner to address the soft tissues in multiple layers.
Morpheus8 also pairs incredibly well with other regenerative treatments such as Polynucleotides and/or Exosomes which can not only boost and supercharge the effects of the Morpheus8, but can also help to calm the skin and promote faster healing post-treatment.
In clinic we have the Morpheus8 Burst technology which is the newest, most advanced iteration of the treatment which offers results that are even more powerful and tailored, yet extremely safe.
Best for: Mild to moderate signs of jowling, signs of sagging
Results: Cumulative results over 3 treatments at 4-6 weeks apart. 12-18 monthly maintenance sessions recommended.
2. Dermal Fillers for Structural Support
Strategically placed dermal fillers can support the lower face and allow us to subtly recontour the face and reduce the appearance of jowls.
This approach does not add unnecessary volume but instead works to rebalance the face and enhance natural proportions in two main ways: Firstly, by restoring the lost volume that contributed to the appearance of jowls in the first place; secondly by camouflaging some of the shadows and valleys that appear along the jawline in order to give the appearance of a continuous, defined jawline. Target areas include the jawline and chin as well as the mid-face to target some of the upstream causes of volume loss.
At Dr Jenny Clinic, we use premium-quality fillers of different densities to create a tailored treatment plan, while avoiding harsh contours and unnecessary widening or bulk.
Best for: Mild to moderate jowling, early signs of sagging
Results: Immediate lift and definition with results lasting from 9 to 18 months
3. Skin Tightening with Polynucleotides
Polynucleotides are biostimulatory regenerative treatments which stimulate collagen and elastin production at a deep level, helping to firm and regenerate the skin. This treatment is ideal for those noticing skin laxity without significant volume loss.
Over time, the skin becomes more elastic, plump, hydrated and resilient, making it appear tighter and more rejuvenated
Polynucleotides can be used in isolation or work wonderfully with a wide range of other injectables and energy-based devices to deliver long-term regeneration.
Best for: Mild skin laxity, loss of firmness and improving skin quality
Results: Gradual and natural-looking improvement over multiple sessions – ideally 3 sessions at 4-6 weeks apart
4. Muscle-Relaxing Toxin Injections for Lower Face and Neck Muscles
In some cases, jowling is made more noticeable by overactive lower face muscles: specifically the overactivity of a pair of muscles known as the DAO (which pull down at the corners of the mouth) as well as the large sheet of muscle stretching across our neck to the lower jaw (known as the Platysma).
Carefully placed lower-face toxin to target the downward pull of these muscles can allow a rebalancing of forces across our lower facial tissues, and giving the appearance of a more defined and less downward-moving jawline.
This technique, often called a “Nefertiti Lift”, gives a subtle but effective refinement of the lower face and can work wonderfully in a combination treatment plan.
Best for: Soft jowls caused by or worsened by muscle pull or tension
Results: Smoother and more defined jawline and lower face in 7 to 10 days, lasting around 3 to 4 months
5. Radiofrequency Tightening – Forma
Think of Forma as the Morpheus8 without the needles! It still delivers very powerful, soft-tissue contouring Radiofrequency energy but does so in a more gentle way. The treatment itself feels like a hot-stone massage and other than a few minutes of redness to the skin there is absolutely no associated downtime.
Over the course of a few weeks the radiofrequency energy can help to tighten and remodel the skin and the underlying soft tissues.
Forma can be used alone to address mild to moderate jowling – in which case we would recommend a treatment course of 6 sessions ideally 1 week apart or it can be combined with a Morpheus8 protocol where we alternate the treatments for a very powerful treatment.
Best for: Mild to moderate jowling. Ideal for anyone wanting to avoid needles and downtime.
Results: Cumulative results over 6 treatments at 1-2 weeks apart
Choosing the Right Approach for You
Managing jowls requires an understanding of facial anatomy, ageing patterns, and the patient’s expectations. Remember, treatment should never be about chasing trends, it’s about restoring balance, definition, and integrity to the lower face, based on your own unique features and unique facial structure.
If you’re considering treatment, I would always recommend a consultation to assess the underlying cause of the laxity and determine the most appropriate approach for your face. Although each of the treatments we discussed above can have a great effect in improving the appearance of jowling, due to the multifactorial nature of the problem, a combination approach and a multi-modal treatment plan can truly be transformative in tackling all the various interplaying causes of jowling.
Concerned about jowls?
Book a consultation with us at the Dr Jenny Clinic to explore personalised treatment your options on how to treat jowls for a firmer, more defined jawline.
