Learn the truth about fillers for jowls, the best techniques, and what to expect
What Causes Jowls?
Jowls, the sagging skin along the jawline that contributes to an aging appearance, have complex underlying causes beyond skin laxity over time. Understanding the factors that lead to jowl formation can help guide treatment options.
It’s Not Just About Skin
Jowls form as bone resorbs under the skin with age, leading to a sunken, poorly supported lower face. Loss of facial volume in areas like the cheeks and midface also cause sagging due to gravitational changes and skin stretch.
As skin elasticity and muscle tone diminish over time, the facial structure under the skin plays a huge role in aging signs like jowls and folds.
Jowls vs. Double Chin
Jowls refer to sagging skin along the jawline and lower face, causing a visible outline of the jaw. A double chin is caused by excess localized fat deposits under the chin. Both contribute to aging appearance. The distinction is important for treatment options.
Can Dermal Fillers Really Fix My Jowls?
Dermal fillers can improve jowls with strategic placement and skilled technique. Managing expectations is crucial when considering non-surgical fillers versus surgical facelift procedures.
Realistic Expectations
Dermal fillers lift and contour, reducing shadowing and jowl appearance. They don’t replace a facelift’s dramatic effects, but are part of a facial rejuvenation plan.
They complement treatments like laser skin resurfacing. Candidates with mild to moderate jowls can see significant improvements with fillers, given reasonable expectations.
Who’s a Good Candidate for Dermal Fillers?
The ideal candidate for dermal fillers to treat jowls has mild to moderate skin laxity and sagging with intact skin elasticity. This allows strategic filler placement to lift and contour to minimize jowling.
Severely sagging or inelastic skin won’t respond to fillers alone. Younger patients noticing early jowling also respond well. Patients shouldn’t view fillers as the only solution but part of an overall treatment plan to maintain facial shape and structure.
When Fillers May Not Be Ideal
In cases of extreme sagging or inelastic skin with heavy jowls and folding, surgical options like a lower facelift, neck lift, or subperiosteal midface lift may be needed. The degree of skin laxity determines the effectiveness of dermal fillers, which add volume rather than tightening.
Severely sagging skin and muscle that has lost tone can only be corrected so much, and fillers alone have limits. However, many patients see improvements with fillers for mild to moderate jowls. Managing expectations and developing a treatment plan that may include surgery is essential.
Can Fillers Lift Sagging Jowls?
Fillers can indeed be effective in addressing sagging jowls by adding volume and providing a lifting effect to the skin and muscles of the lower face, which can result in a more defined and youthful jawline. They are a popular non-surgical option for rejuvenating the lower face and reducing the appearance of jowls .
How Long Does Jowl Filler Last?
The duration of the effects of fillers on jowls varies. Hyaluronic acid fillers typically last up to 12 months, while collagen-stimulating fillers may last 12 months or more.
Jawline filler generally lasts between 10-12 months, depending on the type of injectable product used and the individual’s metabolism . Some patients may need refresher injections every 6 months or so to maintain the desired effect.
What Procedure Is Best for Sagging Jowls?
The best procedure for sagging jowls depends on the severity of the issue. For early stages, non-invasive treatments like dermal fillers or Botox can be effective.
For moderate jowls, a combination of treatments, including dermal fillers, Botox, and microneedling, may be recommended. Severe jowls might require surgical interventions such as a facelift or neck lift, possibly in combination with other procedures.
How Much Dermal Filler Is Needed for Jowls?
The amount of dermal filler needed for jowls can vary. It’s not uncommon to use one syringe of filler per side, totaling 2 syringes for the entire treatment . The cost of jawline filler is typically based on the number of syringes used, with an average cost of $700-$800 per syringe .
Alternative Treatments for Jowls
In addition to fillers, there are other treatments for sagging jowls, such as:
- Morpheus8 (Microneedling With Radio-Frequency)
- Ultherapy, which uses ultrasound energy to stimulate collagen and elastin production
- Botox, which can relax muscles and prevent wrinkle formation
- FACEtite, a treatment that rejuvenates the skin
- Tixel, a skin-tightening treatment
- HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound), which tightens the SMAS layer
- Thread lifts, such as barbed thread lifts or MINT threads, for lower-face lifting and jawline definition
- Fat-dissolving injections for double chins and jowls
- Profound RF and Sofwave, energy-based treatments that tighten the skin and build collagen
Addressing Jowls with Fillers: Areas and Techniques
Treating jowls with dermal fillers requires artistic technique to contour the lower face and jawline. Skilled injectors target the facial framework around the jowls to create balanced support.
It’s Not Just About the Jawline
Augmenting the jawline can minimize jowls, but addressing facial volume loss comprehensively creates natural, beautiful outcomes. Restoring volume in the cheeks and temples can indirectly lift the lower face.
Chin projection with filler placement balances facial contours to reduce jowling. The face is an integrated structure, not just one problem area.
Jawline Contouring
Precise filler placement along the jawline and chin can minimize shadowing and sagging jowls. Augmenting the pre-jowl sulcus can provide definition. An artistic eye and advanced skill in facial anatomy are required for strategic injections that lift and contour the jawline.
Poor injection technique can result in an overly augmented, distorted look. In the right hands, non-surgical jawline augmentation with fillers can subtly sharpen the lower facial profile.
Direct Jowling Treatment (Advanced Techniques)
Dermal fillers can be injected into jowls to provide volume and lift in qualified hands. However, direct jowl injections have higher risks due to the thinner skin and blood vessels. Bruising and lumpiness can occur if improperly placed.
Surgical facelift techniques are still required for significant correction. But the future of filler techniques for aging face concerns like jowls continue to evolve.
Choosing the Right Filler for Jowls
When addressing aging concerns like jowls, not all dermal fillers are equal. Thicker fillers provide better structural support, while collagen-stimulating fillers promote longer-term skin improvements.
Thicker Fillers are Key
Hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm Voluma and Radiesse provide more facial structure and support than thinner hyaluronic acids. They contain calcium hydroxyapatite microspheres suspended in a gel and can indirectly lift and smooth jowls by bolstering underlying facial volume.
They last longer than thinner hyaluronic acid fillers like Restylane and are ideal for overall rejuvenation in patients with some jowling.
Why Hyaluronic Acid (HA) May Not Be the Only Answer
Some dermatologists believe collagen-stimulating fillers provide longer-lasting skin improvements while hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm and Restylane are common in cosmetic procedures.
- Sculptra, made of poly-L-lactic acid, gradually stimulates collagen production over several months to improve skin quality and thickness.
- Sculptra can lead to more natural-looking results by stimulating your own collagen rather than relying solely on a filler for volume.
- Clinical studies show collagen-stimulating fillers like Sculptra lead to higher patient satisfaction compared to hyaluronic acid alone.
The Filler Treatment for Jowls: What to Expect
Understanding the process, recovery, costs, and upkeep of using dermal fillers for jowl improvement can help patients decide if it aligns with their needs.
Procedure Details
- The filler injection process involves numbing cream, followed by injections along the jawline, chin, cheeks or other areas.
- Mild discomfort may occur but it’s usually tolerable.
- Pain levels are minimal with smaller needles and anesthetics. Swelling, redness and bruising can occur for a few days after.
- Ice packs help.
- Most dermal filler procedures take less than an hour.
Results and Aftercare
Improvement may be immediate after filler injections, but full effects take 2-3 weeks as swelling subsides. Avoid blood thinners, alcohol, vigorous exercise, and massaging to minimize bruising and complications in the first few days.
Consistent sun protection and avoiding extreme weight fluctuations preserves results. Most patients return for maintenance every 9-12 months.
Duration of Results
- Results can last 6 months to 2 years, depending on the filler and body metabolism. Sculptra effects can last longer with the right candidate. No filler is “permanent,” but maintenance treatments can promote long-term rejuvenation.
- Most patients don’t expect permanent fixes but view fillers as part of an anti-aging regimen. Properly performed fillers at regular intervals can minimize jowls.
Combining Fillers with Other Treatments
While dermal fillers address volume loss and sagging, combining skin tightening and muscle relaxing injectables can provide more dramatic correction of jowls.
Skin Tightening
Devices using ultrasound, radiofrequency, or fractional laser energy can tighten and stimulate collagen in aging skin above the jawline that has lost elasticity. Combining these non-invasive skin tightening treatments with dermal fillers lifts and smooths jowls, usually with no downtime.
Multiple sessions are required for optimal skin tightening, but the combination addresses volume and laxity for better contouring.
Injectable Options
Injectables like Kybella can eliminate excess fat responsible for submental fullness, accentuating jowls. Botox can relax muscles like the platysma (responsible for vertical neck bands) to smooth neck contours. Pairing fillers with these injectables can optimize facial rejuvenation.
Final Thoughts: It’s Your Decision
Considering dermal fillers for minimizing signs of facial aging like jowls ultimately comes down to each patient’s unique needs and expectations. Finding an experienced, ethical provider is paramount.
Finding the Right Provider
Placing fillers for the lower face needs skill, experience, and an artistic eye. Find board-certified dermatologists or plastic surgeons with expertise in facial anatomy and fillers. Be cautious of clinics offering deep discounts or “specials,” which may mean inexperienced injectors.
A custom approach based on your facial structure is key – not a one-size-fits-all filler formula. Ensure your provider carefully analyzes your face, asks about your concerns and objectives, and educates you about realistic outcomes.
Weighing the Pros and Cons
Dermal fillers provide a non-surgical way to lift and smooth early jowling with minimal recovery time compared to facelift surgery. Maintenance treatments are needed over time for sustained improvements, and not all sagging can be corrected without surgery.
Clear objectives about the severity of skin laxity and volume loss will determine if fillers are suitable. Combining fillers with other skin tightening and injectables can improve results.
Approach fillers as one tool in an anti-aging plan rather than a complete solution. An ethical, experienced provider helps patients weigh the pros and cons.
FAQ on Dermal Fillers for Jowls
Is Botox or Filler Better for Jowls?
When it comes to improving the appearance of jowls, both Botox and fillers have their place. Botox can reduce sagging by tightening and lifting the jaw area, while fillers can add volume and lift sagging skin, reducing the appearance of jowls and enhancing the contours of the lower face. The choice between Botox and fillers will depend on the individual’s specific needs and the nature of their jowls.
Where Do You Put Filler To Lift Jowls?
Fillers are strategically placed to lift sagging jowls. They can be injected into the jawline to lift and smooth the skin, creating a more defined and youthful appearance. Additionally, fillers around the cheeks can lift the area, and a small amount on the jaw can hide early jowls.
Can Fillers Help Sagging Face?
Yes, fillers can help with a sagging face by adding volume and providing a lifting effect. They can restore volume to areas such as the cheeks, lips, and temples, giving a more youthful and refreshed appearance. Fillers can also enhance facial contours, such as the jawline or cheekbones, for a more defined look.
At What Age Do You Get Jowls?
The age at which jowls develop can vary, but they often begin to appear as part of the natural aging process. Factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and skin care can influence the timing and severity of jowl formation.
What Is the Best Injectable Filler for Jowls?
The best injectable filler for jowls will depend on the individual’s skin type, the severity of the jowls, and the desired outcome. A doctor can help determine the best type of filler for specific needs and goals. Different types of fillers have varying consistencies and lifting capabilities.
What Is the Best Filler for Jowls and Marionette Lines?
For jowls and marionette lines, fillers that can provide substantial lift and volume are often recommended. Hyaluronic acid fillers come in various thicknesses to suit different skin types and can last from 5 to 24 months. Sculptra is another option that can instantly plump the area around an injection, creating good results for lifting sagging jowls.
How Long Does Jowl Filler Last?
The duration of the effects of jowl filler can vary depending on the type of filler used. Generally, the results can last from several months to over a year. It’s important to have realistic expectations and understand that filler treatments for jowls are usually temporary.
How Much Dermal Filler Is Needed for Jowls?
The amount of dermal filler needed for jowls will depend on the individual’s facial structure, the extent of volume loss, and the desired outcome. A consultation with a qualified professional is necessary to determine the appropriate amount of filler for each case.
