Saggy Jowls: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

What Are Jowls?

Jowls are the saggy and droopy areas of skin and flesh that develop along the jawline and lower area of the face. Jowls tend to accumulate on either side of the chin and below the cheeks in a skin fold pattern that creates the appearance of a sagging lower face.

Jowls and saggy jawlines are most commonly caused by the ageing process, although other factors can contribute.

Jowls are typically treated via non-surgical and surgical interventions. Non invasive treatments seek to tighten the skin, add volume, and stimulate collagen production. Surgical treatments involve the excision of excess skin, and the lifting and repositioning of remaining facial tissues to create a more youthful appearance.

Choice of treatment depends on individual preferences as well as the extent of the jowls and saggy jawline condition and the precise nature of the outcome desired.

The most popular treatment for saggy jowls at the Cadogan Clinic is the Mini-Facelift.

What Causes Saggy Jowls?

Jowls are most commonly associated with the ageing process. Several key ageing factors typically combine to cause saggy jowls.

Loss of Skin Elasticity: skin begins to lose its natural collagen and elastin levels with the passage of time, causing it to become less elastic and more likely to sag
Skeletal Resorption: we now know that the facial bone structures also gradually begin to resorb, or erode, with the ageing process such that the less elastic skin hangs on a less prominent skeletal frame, contributing to the sagging jawline effect
Gravity: The effects of gravity combined with weakening facial muscles causes facial tissues to drop and collect in the form of jowls
Genetic Predisposition: facial ageing patterns vary among individuals with some more disposed to developing jowls and skin sagging under the chin.
Lifestyle Factors: such as prolonged exposure to the UV rays of the sun can catalyse collagen and elastin breakdown, and speed up the facial ageing process.
Smoking and other poor lifestyle factors such as drinking excessive amounts of alcohol contribute to the deterioration of skin health and contribute to the formation of jowls. Rapid weight loss can also contribute to jowls

Can You Get Rid of Jowls with Exercise?

While exercise is generally a positive contributing factor to overall wellbeing and health it is unlikely that exercise alone can get rid of jowls. Exercise typically targets improvements in muscle tone and fat reduction, but cannot address the underlying causes of saggy jowls such as loss of skin elasticity, bone resorption and gravity.

There is some evidence that specific facial exercises can temporarily improve facial muscle tone, but for best results lifestyle changes (e.g. spend less time in the sun, stop smoking) and surgical and non surgical cosmetic intervention are recommended.

Cosmetic Surgery

Mini-Facelift

A mini facelift targets the lower face, jawline, and neck for slightly less invasive rejuvenation.

What is the Best Treatment to Get Rid of Jowls Fast?

The best treatment to get rid of jowls fast is via permanent surgical jowl lift intervention.

The best procedures for sagging jowls (and other facial ageing conditions) include the following jowl lift surgeries:

Facelift: a comprehensive facial rejuvenation surgery that targets a range of conditions in the lower and mid face by lifting and repositioning facial tissues, removing any excess tissue and tightening the underlying muscles. Rejuvenates the entire face and creates a more youthful appearance, eliminating saggy jowls in the process.
Mini Facelift: a similar technique to the above but more targeted to the jowl area and less invasive and lighter touch, relying on smaller incisions and delivering a subtler effect. Whilst face lift addresses the entire face, this technique addresses the saggy jowl area specifically, with less associated downtime – often considered the best procedure for sagging jowls as a result.
Micro Facelift: an even subtler technique that uses incisions behind the ear to tweak and tighten the underlying muscle and address muscle laxity. Suitable for younger patients, it can be done in less than an hour.
Neck Lift: another procedure that specifically addresses the neck and jowl area, targeting the sagging neck skin and muscle bands in the neck and jawline. Often performed in conjunction with a face lift for the very best results.
Liposuction: used in combination with the other procedures where there is excess neck and chin fat deposits that need to be removed, and to deliver improved jawline contours.

The best treatment for sagging jowls will vary between individuals, so it is important to speak to one of our expert plastic surgeons to help determine the best procedure for your sagging jowls and the most suitable approach for achieving your desired results.

This is a very popular treatment for both men and women.

Where Can I See Sagging Jowls Before and After Photos?

You can see sagging jowls before and after photos as part of our mini facelift before and after gallery.

Assessing sagging jowls before and after photos is a crucial part of evaluating the potential success of your future jowl lift surgery as these images provide visual evidence of a surgeon's skill, as what you can expect before and after your jowl lift.

You should always consult directly with a surgeon however before making a final decision on their potential suitability for your unique situation.

Non-Surgical

Non-Surgical Face Lift

The non-surgical facelift, or liquid facelift, using dermal filler in the face to define and lift.

What Non Invasive Treatments Can Treat Sagging Jowls?

There are several non invasive sagging jowl treatments, otherwise known as ‘non surgical sagging jowl lifts’, that are popularly used to address saggy jawlines and jowls.

These non invasive sagging jowl treatments typically leverage, one or a combination of, three rejuvenating actions: tightening the skin in the surrounding area, encouraging collagen production and adding volume to restore the prominence of the facial contours on which the facial tissue rests.

These non surgical jowl lift technologies include:

Non Surgical Facelift: a non surgical facelift that uses botulinum toxin in combination with any number of other non invasive treatments listed below to rejuvenate facial tissues, and eliminate saggy jowls
Morpheus8: combines microneedling and RF to improve skin texture, tightness, and stimulate collagen production. This sagging jowls treatment delivers overall facial rejuvenation over the course of multiple treatments, with a particular focus on jowl and neck tightening
Dermal Fillers: hyaluronic acid injectable filler treatment to add volume and structure to the midface to improve the prominence of facial contours and reduce sagging. Quick 20 minute procedure, and immediate results with no downtime
Radiofrequency (RF) Skin Tightening: a procedure that uses energy to heat the deep layers of skin and promote collagen production, skin tightening and skin texture. Produces a lifting rejuvenating effect over the course of multiple treatments
Ultherapy: uses ultrasound energy to stimulate collagen production and tighten loose skin. Results appear over several months
Thread Lifts: biodegradable threads are inserted beneath the skin to lift and tighten sagging jowls. Subtle effect without surgery, but associated with complications that can impact viability of future facial rejuvenating treatments
CoolSculpting: a treatment that targets fat cells as opposed to sagging skin. Not typically a standalone solution to jowl issues, but can be used in combination with other alternatives that directly target sagging skin