One of the most common complaints we hear among people in their 40s and 50s is that they are starting to look older than they feel. The first place this typically shows up is the face, where you may notice jowls drooping down from your jawline. This may be due to a variety of factors, including aging, genetics, weight loss, a decrease in skin elasticity, or sun damage. No matter what the cause, nobody wants that pesky sagging skin. The bad news is that sometimes, is it simply inevitable. The good news is that there are ways to treat jowls. Even better? There are non-invasive, non-surgical treatments for jowls available, too.
In this post, our professionals at the Wall Plastic Surgery Center will discuss the options available to you for the non-surgical treatment of sagging jowls. If you would like to learn more about receiving one of these treatments, call the Plastic Surgery Center at (318) 221-1629 for more information.
What are Jowls?
We all know that the texture and elasticity of your skin are subject to change naturally as you age. The term “jowls” refers to the skin below the chin or jawline that tends to sag as a person grows older. Almost everyone will experience jowls once they reach a certain age, some sooner than others. However, some people may get lucky—whether it be due to their genes, lifestyle choices, or environmental factors—and never end up developing jowls.
As a person ages, their skin loses elasticity as well as thins significantly. The combination of this makes for sagging skin not only on the face, but all over the body. It is common for jowls to tend to be less pronounced in those with thicker skin or those who have more fat or collagen in the chin, cheek, and neck area.
How Do Sagging Jowls Form?
Sagging jowls, though undesirable to some, are a completely normal and natural thing. The most common cause for the formation of jowls is the loss of collagen and elastin in the facial area. Both collagen and elastin are proteins that make up the connective tissue in the body. When you age, your body loses these proteins as well as the firmness and tightness of the skin that come with their production. A lack of collagen and elastin production gives gravity room to take over and causes the loosened skin to sag downwards.
In addition to the natural progression of time, genetics can also play a big role in whether a person develops jowls (or at least how prominent they are). If either or both of your parents have jowls, it is more likely that you will also develop them. In some cases, a person may develop jowls as early as their twenties or even possibly teens. This is normally only when a person’s genetics contribute to them having thin skin and/or limited amounts of collagen or elastin.
Environmental factors and lifestyle choices may also contribute to the development of jowls. For example, a person who smokes nicotine regularly is more likely to form jowls earlier than those who do not. This is because nicotine can limit blood circulation, narrow the blood cells, and ultimately damage your body’s production of collagen and elastin. Overexposure to UV rays (either directly from the sun or via tanning beds) can also damage the skin and result in early facial sagging. Weight fluctuations and the overexertion of certain facial expressions can also result in the formation of sagging jowls.
Can Jowls Be Improved Without Surgery?
Due to the fact that jowls have essentially been deemed undesirable by society, there is a high demand for procedures that aim to reduce or eliminate them. Implants or a facelift are some of the more obvious solutions for jowl elimination. Chin and neck liposuction is another potential option for those looking to get rid of a double chin. However, many people do not wish to undergo any kind of invasive surgery if they don’t have to. That is why we so often hear the question: “Are there non-surgical treatments for jowls?”
The answer to that is yes, there are in fact options for non-surgical treatments for jowls available to those who seek a less invasive way of getting rid of them. As with all types of cosmetic treatments and procedures, however, the nature of the treatment depends on each individual patient and their desired results. The best way to find out what is the best course of treatment for you is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Forrest Wall and his staff of specialists. They will be able to assess your individual needs and formulate a customized treatment plan to target your jowls.
How To Tighten Jowls and Neck Without Surgery
It may be possible to tighten sagging jowls and neck skin by way of a healthy diet and exercise. We say “may” because there is actually very little evidence that suggests exercise can actually help eradicate jowls. This is because there is generally no way to target the jowls specifically, as exercise helps eliminate fat evenly throughout the body—not just one spot. In addition, jowls have more to do with genetics and the protein in your skin as opposed to the fat or lack of fat on your body.
For a more efficient and proven way to tighten jowls and neck without surgery, there are several noninvasive cosmetic treatments available. Some of these treatments include injectable fillers, botox, Kybella, and radiotherapy. Depending on your specific circumstances, these may be performed alone or in conjunction with one another. Below, we’ll go into further detail regarding each of these treatments.
Injections for Sagging Jowls
Dermal filler injections are an increasingly popular way of plumping and firming the skin. Filler can be injected into the site of the jowls, visibly reducing the signs of aging and skin sagging. There are several different types of filler available, and your doctor can explain each of these and their pros and cons at your consultation. Regardless of the type used, dermal filler aims to rejuvenate your face and bring about a fuller, more youthful appearance.
It is important to remember that dermal fillers are not a permanent solution, though. Repeat treatments will likely be necessary in the future to retain that sculpted look.
Botox
Botox injections in Shreveport are another option for those looking to target sagging jowls. These injections may be administered strategically along the jawline to lift the droopiness of the mouth and cheeks. Botox may be used in combination with Kybella for optimal results.
Kybella
Kybella has become a wildly popular treatment for the reduction of submental (under the chin) fat and sagging jowls. It is a synthetic deoxycholic acid that aids in the breakdown and absorption of fat. Kybella is injected directly into the skin and actively works to destroy fat cells. Once these fat cells are destroyed, they can no longer store or accumulate fat. A few treatments may be necessary, but once you reach your desired result, the effect should be permanent.
Immediately after the treatment and for a few days to potentially a few weeks following, there will be noticeable swelling in the area. However, the procedure can take as little as 10 minutes with virtually no downtime.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy works to improve the production of collagen and elastin in the skin. It does so by seemingly tricking your skin into believing it has been damaged, which in turn causes a reaction that works to heal the “damaged” skin. Once healed, the process encourages sagging jowl skin to become firmer.
The radiotherapy technique may require several treatments before achieving the desired look. Though it is still non-surgical, it does typically have a longer downtime than the aforementioned treatments.
Why Consider Non-Surgical Treatments for Jowls?
There are a number of reasons someone might consider non-surgical treatments for jowls. Perhaps the most obvious is that they don’t want to undergo any type of invasive surgery that requires a lot of recovery time. Another reason may be due to the cost of surgery and the fact that non-invasive treatments are typically much less expensive than a surgical procedure. Whatever your reasoning is, non-surgical treatments for jowls (or other skin concerns) are an effective way to reduce the appearance of loose, sagging skin and improve a person’s perception of themselves.
If you are considering any of these treatments or have any further questions regarding a non-surgical facelift for jowls, we encourage you to reach out to Dr. Wall and the trusted professionals at The Plastic Surgery Center. Our medical spa services in Shreveport offer minimally invasive aesthetic treatments that work based on your specific skin type and individual lifestyle. Whether you’re interested in smoothing out lines or giving your face a little volume or a more youthful appearance, our services are safe and effective. We see many patients who come in looking for help with sagging jowls, and we would be happy to discuss your individual concerns. You can set up a consultation today by calling The Plastic Surgery Center at (318) 221-1629 or visiting our website at wallplasticsurgery.com.
