Aging happens to everyone eventually. Collagen production slows, dynamic wrinkles form, and fat in the face reduces and may descend downward. When a person begins seeing the signs of aging depends on several factors such as lifestyle and genetics. One of the most dreaded signs of aging is jowl formation. When the jowls become noticeable or pronounced a patient often seeks out treatment. Dr. Alberico Sessa and Sarasota Surgical Arts provide the best treatment for sagging jowls Sarasota offers.
The jowls refer to skin and fat that sags below the jawline. It frequently also occurs with a double chin and neck sagging. Therefore, when jowls form, they can make the entire lower face look heavy and even drag down other structures such as the cheeks. Sagging jowls will also lead to an undefined jawline regardless of bone structure.
Sagging of the jowls affects both men and women. The exact time that the jowls become noticeable will vary for each individual. Normally, the jowls will take several years to form. While they may seem to appear overnight, the jowls likely began to form sometime in the person’s twenties or thirties.
Given enough time, nearly everyone will develop heavy jowls. However, many factors can accelerate or worsen jowl formation. Not all factors are within a person’s control, but some are, which can help patients slow and prevent sagging jowls. Some of the causes and contributors to jowl formation include:
Prevention is one of the best ways to treat the jowls. Stop smoking, limit screen time, and always wear sunscreen. These steps can help slow and prevent saggy skin, in general, including saggy jowls.
Non-surgical procedures do provide jowl treatment avenues, particularly for patients seeing the beginnings of jowl formation. These treatment options may help prevent jowls and minimally reduce the appearance of jowls. Patients with already pronounced jowls will likely benefit more from surgical correction.
Topical skin products can help prevent all-around aging and maintain good quality skin. While it cannot provide dramatic skin tightening results, products such as retinol and sunscreen go a long way in preventing sagging skin. Following a good routine catered to their unique skin type and needs is an excellent way for patients to treat and prevent jowl formation.
Dermal fillers—in particular hyaluronic acid fillers—can help disguise the early appearance of jowls. The exact filler treatments may vary based on anatomy but may involve chin filler, jaw filler, or even cheek filler. Considering that facial fat loss is one of the uncontrollable factors that contribute to getting jowls, adding volume with fillers is a great way to keep the face looking young and the skin tighter so that jowls do not form.
Occasionally, semi-permanent fillers may be used, but this is less common for treating jowls. Though, for patients who experienced major facial thinning that has affected their entire face, fillers like Sculptra or Radiesse may be possible treatments.
Botox injections are generally associated with the upper face. However, a treatment known as the Nefertiti lift can help reduce neck bands. In some cases, they may also improve the appearance of the jowls. Additionally, sometimes masseter Botox injections can help thin the jawline when the masseter muscle makes it appear bulky. In combination with other treatments, this may help reduce the appearance of sagging jowls.
Kybella is an injectable that dissolves fat. It most commonly addresses the area underneath the chin and the neck. Sometimes using Kybella to dissolve some of the fat under the chin and around the jowl area can help treat the jowls. It is helpful when patients are just beginning to see jowls form.
Microneedling is a skin procedure that makes small punctures in the skin and produces a collagen response. This helps increase the amount of collagen present, tighten the skin, and address several other signs of aging. When combined with radiofrequency, it can reach deeper layers of the skin for further correction. Similar procedures such as chemical peels may also help treat jowling.
Laser resurfacing—either surgical or non-surgical—is a great way to help tighten and rejuvenate the skin. It removes all or parts of the upper layers of skin to force healing and new collagen. When performed on skin beginning to lose laxity, it can help tighten it. Both surgical and non-surgical laser treatment can effectively treat sagging jowls.
Cosmetic surgery treatments are arguably the most effective for jowl correction. Though, those with early signs of jowling may not yet be a candidate for a surgical procedure. Still, if jowls have become noticeable, it is worth a consultation with Dr. Sessa to determine the best treatment option.
Facelift surgery removes excess skin and tissue and then lifts the skin to correct jowls and other areas of loose skin. Most facelifts also address the underlying muscle structures which provide overall better and long lasting results.
Frequently combined with a facelift, neck lift surgery addresses extra skin and neck sagging. Often, this can correct structures contributing to the jowls being pulled downward. From there, most patients will also undergo a facelift to correct the jowls and extra skin.
Extra fat underneath the chin can sometimes contribute to the early formation of sagging jowls. Removing this fat can enhance the jawline can remove tissue that may stretch the skin. Chin liposuction is an amazing option for patients seeing early lower face heaviness.
Jowls appear at different ages for different people. This variance is due to genetic factors and differences in lifestyle. Collagen production begins to slow in the mid-to-late twenties. From there, environmental and genetic factors may dictate when jowling appearances. Some people may see the early signs in their late thirties while others may reach their sixties without prominent jowls.
No, jowls generally form due to extra skin. Weight loss can worsen this. This should not deter someone from losing weight, but losing weight will not improve the look of jowls.
Unfortunately, even surgical jowl treatments are not completely permanent. Aging can be slowed, but not stopped. Still, treating the jowls early will improve their appearance for the rest of the patient’s life. Surgical options tend to last the longest and will reverse sagging jowls back on average a decade.
Dr. Alberico Sessa is an accomplished cosmetic surgeon in Sarasota, Florida. He performs several facelifts and facial rejuvenation procedures every month. With over twenty years of experience and expertise, Dr. Sessa can help patients look and feel their best by treating saggy jowls. Sarasota Surgical Arts offer the best jowl treatment Sarasota provides.
To learn more and schedule a consultation, call us at 206-929-2546. Patients can also reach out online via chat, contact form, or Price Simulator.
