How to Get Rid of Jowls: Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Options
As time passes, many people notice a loss of definition along their lower face and jawline. Where a crisp, structured contour used to be, soft tissue begins to descend, creating what are commonly known as jowls. Whether subtle or pronounced, sagging jowls can make you look tired or older than you feel.
“Jowls basically represent a tissue fullness that is between the side of the chin area and between the angle of the mandible, whereby, there is tissue that is visible below the clean line of the mandible,” explains Dr. Denton Watumull, a board-certified plastic surgeon with Regional Plastic Surgery Center, in a video on Instagram.
Fortunately, modern aesthetic medicine offers options to restore jawline definition. From non-surgical skin tightening for jowls to traditional surgical procedures, understanding your choices helps you select the best treatment for jowls.
What Causes Jowls in the First Place?
Understanding what causes jowls helps guide treatment.
“Why does it occur?” Dr. Watumull poses, “Two reasons: Number one is the cheek does descend with time…second, there is bone loss.”
As Dr. Watumull explains, jowl formation is influenced by several natural aging factors, which also include:
- Collagen and Elastin Loss: As collagen and elastin decline, skin loses firmness around the lower cheeks and jaw.
- Midface Volume Loss: Deep fat pads in the cheeks may shrink and shift downward, reducing support for the overlying tissue.
- Changes in Bone and Muscle Support: Facial bone structure changes with age, while the platysma muscle in the neck and other soft tissues may loosen.
- Genetics and Lifestyle: Sun exposure, smoking, weight fluctuations, and genetics can affect the onset and severity of sagging jowls.
Can You Prevent Jowls in the First Place?
While no treatment can halt natural aging, proactive care can help delay visible sagging in the lower face. Daily use of broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen or higher protects against ultraviolet damage. Skin care containing retinoids or antioxidants can support healthy-looking skin. Maintaining a stable weight and avoiding smoking may help preserve skin quality.
Best Treatments for Jowls: Non-Surgical Options and Surgical Lifts
When considering how to get rid of jowls, options range from minimally invasive treatments to surgical rejuvenation. Choosing the right path depends on your skin’s elasticity, degree of tissue laxity, and recovery preferences.
|
Treatment |
Type |
Best for |
How it Works |
Downtime |
Results last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Non-surgical |
Mild jowls, early volume loss |
Restores volume along the jawline to smooth the transition |
Little to none |
Several months to 2 years |
|
|
Non-surgical |
Mild–moderate loose skin |
Uses energy/micro-coring to firm and tighten skin |
Minimal; builds over weeks |
1 year or more |
|
|
Non-surgical |
Mild sagging, wanting a subtle lift without surgery |
Combines fillers (and often neuromodulators) to lift and contour |
Little to none |
Several months to 1+ years |
|
|
Surgical |
Moderate–advanced jowls and jawline laxity |
Repositions deeper tissue and removes excess skin |
2 weeks of visible recovery |
Long-lasting (years) |
|
|
Surgical |
Jowls with sagging neck/”bands” |
Tightens neck muscle and skin, often paired with a facelift |
2 weeks of visible recovery |
Long-lasting (years) |
Am I a Good Candidate for Jowl Treatment?
The right approach depends on your anatomy, health, and aesthetic goals. You may be a good candidate for jowl treatment in Dallas-Fort Worth if you:
- Desire Improved Jawline Definition: Sagging skin or tissue blurs the transition between your jaw and neck.
- Have Realistic Expectations: You understand the difference between subtle non-surgical improvement and more complete surgical correction.
- Are in Good General Health: Surgical candidates should not smoke or should be willing to stop, and medical conditions should be controlled.
- Possess Adequate Skin Elasticity: Non-surgical treatments work best with moderate elasticity. Significant excess skin may be better suited to surgical lifting.
How Much Do Jowl Treatments Cost in Dallas?
The cost of jowl treatments across Dallas-Fort Worth varies depending on the procedure, number of sessions, anesthesia, facility fees, and treatment complexity
Non-surgical treatments generally carry a lower initial cost per session. Surgical solutions—such as a facelift or neck lift—reflect a higher initial investment due to surgical facility fees, anesthesia, and specialized care. During your consultation, you will receive a customized fee quote.
From Fillers to Facelift: Consult With Our Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons in North Dallas
Choosing the right approach requires a personalized assessment. At Regional Plastic Surgery Center, our board-certified plastic surgeons offer surgical and non-surgical care to patients throughout North Dallas, Plano, Richardson, and the broader DFW region.
Whether you are looking for subtle refinement with non-surgical dermal fillers or long-lasting structural restoration through a custom facelift, we tailor every treatment plan to reflect your unique natural features.
Contact Regional Plastic Surgery Center today to schedule your private consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon serving North Dallas and the DFW area.
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