Condition
Jowls & Sagging Neck
Sagging along the lower jawline and neck is one of the most ageing changes the face undergoes, and one of the most treatable
Overview
Sagging along the lower jawline and neck is one of the most ageing changes the face undergoes, and one of the most treatable
Jowls refer to the sagging of skin and soft tissue towards the lower jawline, either side of the mouth, and are often accompanied by laxity along the neck. They form primarily because of the natural ageing process: the skin loses elasticity, the fat pads within the face gradually shift downwards, and the muscles of the lower face and neck weaken. The result is a heaviness along the jaw that can give the face a tired or drawn quality.
In some patients, strong activity in the lower face and neck muscles contributes to the descent, making the jowls more prominent over time. Addressing this muscle activity early can be both preventative and corrective.
Treatment is tailored to the individual. The most effective results often come from a combination approach: relaxing the muscles pulling the jaw downward, restoring volume to the mid-face to reposition the skin, and using targeted skin-tightening or fat-reduction treatments to refine the jawline. Surgical options are available where the degree of sagging requires a more lasting correction.
Available Treatments
How we treat jowls & sagging neck
Non-Surgical Options
HArmonyCA
Instant volume and long-term collagen stimulation in a single injectable
Non-Surgical Facelift
Restore volume and proportion to your face
Threads
A minimally invasive thread lift for sagging skin and gentle facial contouring
Ultracel HIFU
Non-surgical skin tightening and lifting using focused ultrasound energy
NEW Thermage FLX® Face
Non-invasive radiofrequency skin tightening for a firmer, more youthful face
Skin Tightening
Non-surgical solutions to restore firmness, lift lax skin and smooth wrinkles
8 Point Facelift
A non-surgical lift using advanced dermal filler techniques
Dermal Fillers
Restore lost volume and soften lines, without surgery
Profhilo
Ultrapure hyaluronic acid that hydrates, firms and remodels skin from within
Surgical Options
Symptoms
What it looks and feels like
- Sagging or drooping skin along the jawline, either side of the chin
- Loss of a clean jaw contour, making the lower face look heavy or undefined
- Loose or crepey skin along the neck
- Deepening of the marionette lines running from the corners of the mouth downward
- A tired or drawn appearance in the lower third of the face
- Asymmetry of the lower face as one side sags more than the other
Causes
Why it happens
- Loss of skin elasticity and collagen with age
- Downward migration of facial fat pads from the mid-face
- Weakening of the ligaments that hold the skin and soft tissue in place
- Overactive or strong lower face and neck muscles pulling the jawline down
- Genetics influencing how early and how prominently jowling develops
When to seek advice
If you notice your jawline becoming less defined or the skin along your lower face beginning to sag, a consultation is worth considering. Addressing the early stages of jowling, particularly the muscular component, can slow progression and reduce the amount of treatment needed later.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Can Botox help with jowls?
In suitable patients, anti-wrinkle injections into the neck and lower face muscles can reduce the downward pull on the jawline. This is effective both as a preventative measure and as part of a broader treatment plan for existing jowling.
What does treating the mid-face have to do with jowls?
Much of what we see as jowling is actually skin and fat that has descended from higher up the face. By restoring volume to the cheeks and mid-face with dermal fillers, the tissues can be repositioned upward, improving the appearance of the jawline without targeting the jowl directly.
Are there non-surgical skin-tightening options?
Yes. Energy-based treatments using radiofrequency or focused ultrasound can stimulate collagen production and tighten the skin along the jawline. These are often used in combination with injectable treatments for a more comprehensive result.
When is surgery the better option?
For patients with significant sagging, or where non-surgical treatments have reached their limit, a surgical procedure such as a facelift, neck lift or MACS lift offers a more lasting and pronounced correction. Your consultation will help determine whether a non-surgical or surgical approach is most appropriate for you.
How many treatments will I need?
This depends on the severity of your jowling and the approach chosen. Some patients achieve a good result from a single combination appointment; others benefit from a phased plan over several months. Your practitioner will outline a realistic treatment pathway at your consultation.
How can I get rid of jowls and a turkey neck without surgery?
For mild to moderate sagging, non-surgical treatments can lift and firm the lower face and neck without an operation. Anti-wrinkle injections soften the muscles that pull the jawline down, dermal fillers reposition lost volume in the mid-face, and radiofrequency or focused-ultrasound skin tightening stimulates collagen along the jaw and neck. These are often combined for the best result. Where sagging is more advanced, a facelift or neck lift gives a more lasting correction.
How much does treatment for jowls and a sagging neck cost?
Pricing depends on the combination of treatments agreed for you and is confirmed in writing at your consultation, with no obligation to proceed.
Concerned about jowls & sagging neck?
Book a consultation with our specialist team. We will assess the cause and recommend the right combination of treatments for you.
Book a consultation