Jowls are amongst the biggest problem areas for many men and women as they age. While it is certainly natural for our faces and our facial skin to change and adapt over time, there are a number of factors that can cause or exacerbate jowls in certain individuals. Because jowls are viewed as undesirable by many, there are numerous cosmetic procedures aimed at the reduction and/or maintenance of healthy skin around the neckline, jaw, and chin. As with all cosmetic procedures, the exact nature of the treatments are highly dependent on the individual, their desired results, and what options are available.

For those looking for treatments for jowls without invasive surgeries, we will explore some of the most effective non surgical treatments to lift, tighten, and improve the visible appearance of jowls.

 

Filler Injections for Jowls

Dermal filler injections are used to reduce the visible signs of aging, predominantly in the facial area and jowls. As we age, our skin loses elasticity, collagen, and thickness. This causes the skin to lose its taut appearance and can lead to a “saggy” look. There are actually a multitude of dermal filler treatments available for jowls, including:

• Hyaluronic Acid (HA)
• Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA)
• Poly-L-lactic Acid
• Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)
• Autologous fat injections

For sagging jowls, filler injections serve to return the fullness and youthful appearance to sagging neck, jawline, and chin areas. Choosing the correct filler and the correct injection site can make or break the efficacy of these treatments. Injections are generally outpatient procedures with minimal preparation and recovery time. However, the results are also impermanent and repeat treatments will likely be needed in the future.

 

Ultherapy (Ultrasound Therapy) for Collagen Stimulation on the Jowls

Ultherapy is an outpatient, non surgical cosmetic procedure for lifting, tightening, and firming jowls. Much like filler injections, one of the primary benefits of ultherapy is how fast and easy treatments can be. The process causes little to no discomfort and entails virtually zero patient recovery downtime. Ultherapy has received FDA approval to treat sagging jowls by lifting and tightening muscle and skin tissue.

Ultrasound therapy works by stimulating collagen production within the skin. After treatments, skin with higher levels of collagen will be firmer, more elastic, smoother, and more toned overall. Ultherapy proudly touts its benefits as being all-natural and chemical-free. As with injections, ultherapy’s results may last a long time, but are ultimately temporary.

 

Radiotherapy Stimulates Collagen and Elastin for Tighter Skin

Radiotherapy treatments for tightening and toning jowls operate on the same fundamental principles as ultrasound therapy, namely, they cause the skin to produce higher levels of collagen and elastin. Radiotherapy actually effectively tricks your skin into thinking it is being damaged, causing a reaction which essentially “heals” the damaged skin. The results of this pseudo-healing process create skin which is tighter and more youthful. 

Unlike filler injections and ultrasound therapy, patients choosing the radiotherapy route for jowl treatments may undergo several sessions before seeing full results. The process has been shown to effectively fight against sagging jowls, but the downtime in treatments may be a negative for some patients.

Is Exercise Effective for Reducing Jowls?

Last but not least, it is a commonly held belief that exercises such as facial strengthening and even yoga may be effective at tightening the skin under the jawline, neck, and other facial areas. This belief may hold some footing in the realm of reality, but the fact remains that there is little scientific evidence to back the idea that facial exercises reduce jowls. Here’s why:

• Almost no scientific research shows a correlation between facial exercises and spot reduction of fat on the face or other improvements to “negative” jowl features.
• Spot reduction as it pertains to fat loss is not possible through exercise. Generally speaking, weight loss occurs evenly throughout the body as more calories are burned than are being consumed. Doing crunches will not spot reduce your stomach, and doing facial exercises will not spot reduce your jowls.
• Facial exercises will not reduce wrinkles. In fact, repetitive stress on the face is more likely to increase wrinkles through stretching than it is to tighten skin in the surrounding areas.

What may cause a relationship between exercise and jowl reduction is the fact that regular exercise does in fact improve overall skin health. Improved blood flow, reduced stress, and more antioxidant power to fight against skin damaging free radicals are all scientifically backed ways that exercise may actually improve aging skin!

To Learn More About Cosmetic Procedures, Join us at SCALE 2020!

To learn more about cutting edge cosmetic surgical procedures, non-invasive procedures, laser tech, and much more, join us from July 22-25, 2020 for our annual Music City Scale Conference! SCALE is the premier multidisciplinary meeting for aesthetic medicine, surgery and dermatology in the United States. Join other industry professionals to discuss industry trends, emerging technologies, and much more. 

What started as a small gathering amongst colleagues 14 years ago has turned into the biggest party of the year within the field of aesthetic dermatology. Join us alongside hundreds of attendees and industry vendors to find out what you’ve been missing!