Jowls at 40? What can I do to firm the jawline? Learn more about the development, causes and treatment options for jowls.
What are jowls?
At some point it happens: the skin on the face loses firmness, structure and subcutaneous fat. Taut facial contours and a beautiful jawline give way to loss of elasticity and sag downwards, referred to as the so-called "sagging effect".
You then notice small bulges, jowls or hamster cheeks along the jawline, which make you look tired and a little sullen, even though you are not.
What causes jowls?
There are various causes of jowls, sagging cheeks or loose skin on the face:
Skin Ageing
As we age, the skin loses elasticity and firmness, which can lead to jowls.
Weight Loss
Significant weight loss can lead to loose facial skin that no longer contracts sufficiently.
Smoking
Smoking accelerates skin ageing and can lead to sagging cheeks and undefined contours.
Sun Exposure
Excessive UV radiation impairs collagen production and leads to loose skin.
Weak Facial Muscles
Insufficiently toned facial muscles can affect the firmness of the face.
Dehydration
Dehydration has a negative effect on skin health and can worsen jowls.
What is the best treatment for jowls?
You cannot stop skin ageing, but there are many ways to mitigate the ageing of the skin and minimise troublesome signs of loss of elasticity, collagen loss and volume loss. Jowls can be addressed with a range of aesthetic treatments.
Our Treatment Methods
Sculptra® Treatment
Biostimulator for long-term collagen production and skin tightening
HIFU Treatment (Cheek Lift)
Non-invasive skin tightening with high-intensity focused ultrasound
Hyaluronic Acid Treatment (Jawline Contouring)
Immediate volume and contour enhancement of the jawline
Thread Lift
PDO/PLA/PCL threads for tissue tightening and collagen stimulation
Fat-Dissolving Injections
Injection lipolysis to reduce fat deposits and define the jawline
Sculptra® for Jowls
Sculptra® is a biostimulator based on PLLA that stimulates the body's own collagen production. Injections along the jawline firm the contour. Usually 2–3 sessions at intervals of 4–6 weeks suffice, with results often lasting over two years.
HIFU Treatment for Firmer Contours
HIFU tightens the skin non-invasively and can reduce small fat deposits. After an average of two sessions (4–6 weeks apart), the jawline appears more defined and the chin line firmer.
Hyaluronic Acid for the Jawline
Precisely injected hyaluronic acid can contour the jawline and compensate for contour loss. The effect is immediately visible and lasts several months to up to one year.
Thread Lift for Jawline Definition
PDO/PLA/PCL threads support the tissue and stimulate collagen. Typically 2–3 threads are placed per side to define the jawline.
Fat-Dissolving Injections at the Chin
Injection lipolysis dissolves small fat deposits under the chin, allowing the jawline to appear more clearly defined and jowls to be reduced.
Exercises for Jowls
Facial gymnastics can help – regularity and patience are important:
- ✓ Massage in small circles when applying moisturiser – promotes circulation
- ✓ Microneedling at home only with caution; professional needling is more effective
- ✓ "Puffed cheeks" – hold air, shift it sideways, exhale slowly
- ✓ Jade or Gua Sha massage – has a cooling and de-puffing effect
Note: Exercises have limited effectiveness against natural skin ageing; medical treatments generally deliver more efficient results.
The Role of Collagen
Collagen is central to the resilience and firmness of the skin. Medical biostimulatores such as Sculptra® stimulate its regeneration; topical products and a healthy lifestyle can provide additional benefit.
