The sagging skin in the chin and neck area known as jowls is a classic sign of aging. Top Mount Vernon facial plastic surgeon Dr. Jonathan Grant of Cascade Facial Surgery & Aesthetics explains the different types of procedures available for treating sagging jowls, depending on patient preference and the amount of drooping.
Sagging Jowls
Young people do not have jowls, per se. Jowls seldom appear before our 30s.
As we age, gravity and the loss of collagen causes the skin around the chin and jawline to sag. Collagen, the body’s most abundant protein, keeps skin elastic and firm. Most people will develop jowls, especially those with thin skin or who spent a great deal of time in the sun.
Jowls have a genetic component. If your parents had jowls, odds are you will have them, too.
Dermal Fillers
If your jowls are just becoming noticeable, injectable dermal fillers can be a good option. The injections lift the cheeks and jawline, softening jowl prominence. The procedure takes between 30 and 45 minutes, and the effects typically last six to nine months, though some products can last one to two years.
Restylane® or Juvéderm®, containing natural hyaluronic acid, can plump up sagging facial areas. So can Radiesse®, which stimulates collagen production. However, dermal fillers alone are not sufficient for correcting severe jowls.
Facial Fat Grafting
A facial fat transfer using fat taken from another part of the body and grafted onto both sides of the jowls can achieve a more youthful profile. This procedure can buy time until a more extensive alternative is needed.
Face and Neck Lift
Those with more obvious jowls should consider a face and neck lift. A facelift creates a more youthful appearance. Combined with a neck lift, it will address those sagging jowls along with issues such as a double chin, aging around the cheeks and the loose muscle bands on the neck often referred to as “turkey neck.” A neck lift tightens skin while accentuating the jawline. A lower facelift along with a neck lift provides the most pleasing aesthetic results.
While a face and neck lift provides the most long-term benefits, there is also a significant recovery time necessary.
Contact Us
If you are experiencing sagging jowls and would like to know more about your treatment options, call Cascade Facial Surgery & Aesthetics in Mount Vernon today at 360-336-1947 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with dual-board certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Jonathan Grant. He will answer all of your questions so you can make an informed decision regarding treatment.
