Fillers for Jowls: A Comprehensive Guide

Jowls can be a common concern as we age, affecting the jawline and contributing to an older appearance. Many people seek treatment options for this sagging skin on the lower face. 

Among various available treatments, dermal fillers have gained attention as a non-surgical treatment for jowls. This comprehensive guide aims to provide insights into using fillers for treating jowls effectively.

What Causes Jowls?

Jowls refer to the sagging or slack skin associated with the cheeks, lower jaw, or throat, often seen as a part of the aging process. They are typically characterized by a drooping or sagging appearance below the chin or jawline.

The development of jowls is primarily attributed to aging. As we age, our skin loses its elasticity due to the reduction of collagen and elastin, proteins that provide structure and elasticity to the skin. This loss of elasticity, combined with the effects of gravity, leads to the fat pads in our cheeks gradually thinning and moving downward, resulting in the formation of jowls. 

Several other factors can contribute to the development of jowls. These include:

• Genetics: Some people may be genetically predisposed to develop jowls. If your parents have jowls, you’re more likely to develop them. Additionally, individuals with naturally thin skin or limited amounts of collagen and elastin may start to notice jowls earlier in life.
• Environmental and lifestyle factors: Factors such as sun exposure, smoking, and rapid weight loss can contribute to the development of jowls. Sun exposure can damage the skin and reduce its elasticity, while smoking can damage collagen and elastin. Rapid weight loss can result in sagging skin due to the sudden reduction in skin tension.
• Facial movement habits and stress: Certain repetitive facial habits and chronic stress can also contribute to the development of jowls.
• Use of electronics: Constantly looking down or forward at screens can cause the muscles in the neck to shorten and weaken over time, leading to sagging skin, a phenomenon often referred to as “tech neck”.

How Do Dermal Fillers Treat Jowls?

Dermal fillers are injectable gels made from substances like hyaluronic acid, used to sculpt and rejuvenate facial contours. They are widely used for a variety of cosmetic treatments, including addressing fine lines, nasolabial folds, and the midface area.

When strategically placed in the midface or jawline, fillers can help lift and tighten jowls, creating a more youthful and defined appearance.

What is the Best Filler for Jowls?

Fillers used for treating jowls fall into two categories: hyaluronic acid fillers and collagen-stimulating fillers.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring sugar in the body that helps to maintain skin moisture and elasticity. When injected in the form of a dermal filler, it can sculpt the jawline and add definition, creating a more youthful appearance. Some of the best hyaluronic acid fillers for jowls are Juvederm Voluma and Restylane Lyft. Volux, a new product from Juvederm, is specially designed as a jawline filler and the first of its kind to be FDA approved.

Collagen-stimulating fillers, on the other hand, work by stimulating the body’s natural collagen production, which can help to improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of jowls. Sculptra is a poly-L-lactic filler that works gradually to improve collagen production in the treated area, firming up saggy, loose skin around the chin and jawline. 

The best type of filler for you depends on your unique physiology. One recent study concluded that a collagen-boosting filler (in these cases, calcium hydroxylapatite) was more effective for sagging skin, while a HA filler was better suited for people who required extra volume at the jawline to balance their facial features.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

Healthy men and women between the ages of 30 and 60 with mild to moderate jowls and good skin elasticity are generally considered good candidates for this treatment. Good candidates typically have:

• Sagging Skin: One of the main indicators that you might benefit from fillers is noticeably loose or sagging skin around the jawline.
• Moderate Jowling: You’ve started to notice jowls forming but they’re not overly severe. Fillers can be especially effective for mild to moderate cases.
• Good Skin Elasticity: You still have some natural elasticity in your skin, making it easier for fillers to achieve a more lifted, youthful look.
• Defined Concern Areas: Your concerns are primarily localized around the jowl and lower jawline area, rather than requiring a full-facial rejuvenation.
• Non-Smoker: Smoking can affect your body’s ability to heal and can also degrade the filler more quickly, making non-smokers better candidates.
• Realistic Expectations: You understand that while fillers offer noticeable improvements, the results may not be as dramatic as surgical interventions like a facelift.
• Good Overall Health: You’re in good general health and don’t have any medical conditions that could interfere with the treatment or healing process.

If any of the above symptoms or concerns resonate with you, fillers for jowls could be an excellent option to explore. Consult with a healthcare provider to discuss your specific needs and to determine the best treatment plan for you.

What It’s Like to Get Fillers for Jowls?

Initial Consultation

Your first step in this process is an initial consultation with a medical professional such as a medical aesthetician, licensed injector, or board-certified plastic surgeon. Here, you’ll discuss your aesthetic goals and undergo an evaluation to determine if dermal fillers are the right choice for treating your jowls. The type of filler that will best suit your needs will also be selected during this appointment.

Procedure

On the day of your appointment, you should arrive with a clean face free of makeup and skin care products. The targeted area around your jowls will be cleaned and sanitized to minimize the risk of infection. You may also receive a topical anesthetic to numb the area, ensuring that you’re as comfortable as possible during the injections. (Many fillers contain a numbing agent, so this step isn’t always necessary.)

Your provider will then strategically administer the filler into a predetermined treatment area. You may feel a pinch or a mild burning sensation during the injections, but the anesthetic generally makes this experience tolerable. The injection process is usually quick, often completed within 15 to 30 minutes.

Post-treatment experience

After the procedure, it’s normal to notice some redness, swelling, or minor bruising, but these symptoms should subside within a few days. You’ll receive aftercare instructions and can return to your daily activities, although it’s best to avoid strenuous exercise and sun exposure for the first 24-48 hours. If you experience any unexpected side effects, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Results

Immediate improvement in the treated area is usually noticeable, but the full results will become more apparent once any swelling has gone down, which usually takes about a week. The longevity of the results can vary depending on the type of filler used and your body’s metabolism, lasting from several months to a couple of years. To maintain your results, periodic follow-up treatments may be necessary.

Risks and side effects

While filler treatments are generally safe, some potential side effects include bruising, swelling, and asymmetry. Therefore, it’s essential to consult a qualified healthcare provider to discuss treatment options and associated risks.

Alternative Treatments for Jowls

Although fillers are a popular solution for jowls, they’re not your only option. Factors such as factors the severity of your jowls, your overall health, and your personal preferences will impact which choice is best for you. Some alternative jowl treatments include:

Botox Cosmetic

Botox injections can be placed in the chin and neck to relax tense neck muscles and create a more sculpted jawline, reducing the appearance of jowls.

Laser skin tightening

This treatment uses a fractional ablative laser to re-contour the skin. The laser energy penetrates deeply into the skin, heating the skin’s fibers and causing them to retract.

Radiofrequency microneedling

During an RF microneedling treatment, a handheld device tipped with tiny needles is passed over your skin, delivering radiofrequency energy into the microwounds it creates. The RF energy heats the deeper layers of the skin, stimulating collagen production and resulting in a tightening effect.

PDO thread lift 

A thread lift involves strategically inserting dissolvable sutures just below the surface of the skin and tightening them to offer the chin and jawline extra definition and a sculpted look. The threads dissolve after about six months, but the collagen and elastin stimulated by the treatment maintain the results for close to a year.

Kybella

If your primary concern is a double chin rather than sagging skin, Kybella injections may be an effective solution. Kybella contains deoxycholic acid, which destroys fat cells to slim your neck and chin.

Plastic surgery

A surgical procedure such as a facelift or neck lift, also known as platysmaplasty, is the most permanent, but also the most invasive, treatment for jowls. It involves making incisions under the chin or behind the ears to surgically remove excess skin and tighten loose muscles. Surgical procedures may be the most effective option for patients with severe jowls or substantial laxity.

Takeaway

Fillers offer a versatile and effective treatment for jowls, providing a non-surgical option for those looking to improve their jawline and achieve a more youthful appearance. From hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm and Restylane to other options like Sculptra, the choice of filler can vary based on individual needs and consultation with a healthcare provider. 

While generally safe with minimal downtime, it’s important to be aware of potential risks and to choose a qualified injector for the best results. Therefore, it’s recommended to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the most suitable treatment plan for you.