Maximus Gage
Jowls are the sagging skin and fat that hang along the lower face and jawline. They are a natural part of the ageing process, with most people starting to see jowls when they reach their 40s and 50s. The loss of collagen and elastin in the skin, as well as reduced muscle tone in the face, can contribute to the formation of jowls. Certain factors, such as genetics, facial expressions, weight loss, sun exposure, and smoking, can also cause jowls to develop faster. Various treatments are available to minimise the appearance of jowls, including facial exercises, injectable fillers, and surgical procedures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Sagging skin/fat that hangs along the lower face and jawline |
| Causes | Age, genetics, facial expressions, weight loss, sun exposure, smoking, use of computers or phones, repetitive facial motions, damage, poor diet, sudden weight loss |
| Treatments | Facial exercises, facial fillers, Botox, face yoga, face lifts, Nefertiti Lift |
| Muscles Involved | Platysma, DLI, DAO, MMN, mandibular ligament, mentalis, buccolabial muscles, masseter muscles |
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What You'll Learn
Causes of jowls
The development of jowls, which are sagging skin/fat that hangs along the lower face and jawline, is caused by a combination of factors, including age, genetics, lifestyle choices, and environmental factors.
Age is the primary cause of jowls, as the natural ageing process leads to a depletion of collagen and elastin, which are connective tissue proteins that provide firmness and elasticity to the skin. This loss of collagen and elastin is further exacerbated by sun exposure, with ultraviolet (UV) rays damaging the collagen and causing premature skin sagging.
Genetics also plays a significant role in the development of jowls. Individuals with a family history of jowls are more likely to develop them at an earlier age. Additionally, those with naturally thin skin or limited amounts of collagen and elastin may notice jowls appearing earlier in life.
Lifestyle choices, such as smoking, can accelerate the formation of jowls. Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes damage collagen and elastin fibres, narrow blood vessels, and impair blood circulation, resulting in a reduced supply of nutrients to the skin.
Excessive screen time, such as using computers or looking down at smartphones for extended periods, can also contribute to jowl development. This habit causes the skin around the neck to lose its elasticity over time and can lead to sagging.
Additionally, weight loss can be a factor in the formation of jowls. When weight is gained, the skin stretches to accommodate the increased body mass. However, if the weight is lost, the stretched skin may sag, leading to the appearance of jowls.
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Treatments for jowls
Jowls are the result of sagging skin and fat that hangs along the jawline. While exercise and a healthy diet are always good, they cannot specifically target jowls. Jowls are primarily caused by skin laxity and the natural ageing process, which results in a loss of collagen and elastin in the skin.
There are several treatments available to improve the appearance of jowls. One option is cosmetic procedures such as fillers, which are compounds injected into the cheeks to fill in areas where fat has been lost. This also lifts the skin around the jawline and mouth. Fillers can instantly plump the area around the injection, creating a more youthful appearance and helping stimulate new collagen growth.
Another option is Botox, which can reduce sagging jowls by tightening and lifting the jaw area. Microbotox involves injecting microdroplets of botulinum toxin into the skin to reduce the effects of ageing. PDO threads are another non-surgical treatment that can define the jawline and tighten the neck.
Ultherapy is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure that uses ultrasound technology to stimulate collagen production in the skin, helping to tighten and lift sagging areas. Results from ultherapy are not immediate but become more noticeable over time as the body produces more collagen.
Kybella is another non-surgical procedure that uses liquid injections to melt fat cells in the chin and define the jawline. It is made of deoxycholic acid, a substance that is naturally found in the body.
Coolsculpting Mini is a specialist treatment that targets smaller areas of fat bulges like those around the chin. It uses a specialist applicator to target, cool, and reduce unwanted fat cells in the chin and jawline areas.
Some research also shows that facial exercises can help reduce the appearance of jowls by making the facial, jaw, and neck muscles better able to hold their shape.
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Facial muscles and expressions
The human face has about 20 to 30 muscles on each side, which are responsible for two major tasks: chewing (also called masticating) and making facial expressions. These muscles are located throughout the face, including the ears, mouth, forehead, nose, and eyes. They run underneath the skin from the scalp down to the neck.
Facial muscles can be divided into groups based on where they are located on the face. For example, the auricular muscles are around the ears, and the buccolabial muscles are in and around the mouth. The muscles of facial expression can also be broadly categorized into three groups: orbital, nasal, and oral.
The orbital group contains two muscles associated with the eye socket. These muscles draw the eyebrows together, creating vertical wrinkles on the bridge of the nose, which is associated with frowning. The nasal group includes the nasalis, which is the largest of the nasal muscles, and the procerus, which is the most superior of the nasal muscles. The oral group includes the orbicularis oris, buccinator, and various smaller muscles responsible for the movements of the mouth and lips.
The facial muscles involved in chewing (muscles of mastication) include the lateral pterygoid, a fan-shaped muscle that helps the jaw open, and the masseter, which runs from the cheek to the side of the jaw and helps the jaw close.
Jowls are the sagging skin and fat that hang along the lower face and jawline. They are caused by various factors, including age, genetics, facial expressions, weight loss, sun exposure, smoking, and prolonged use of computers or phones. Certain facial exercises, such as yawning widely and puckering the lips, may help improve jowls by making the facial, jaw, and neck muscles better able to hold their shape.
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Anatomy of jowls
The term "jowls" refers to the sagging of skin and fat along the jawline, which is a common effect of ageing. Jowls are characterised by folds of skin that appear on both sides of the chin and descend below the jawline. This occurs due to the loss of collagen and elastin, which are responsible for the skin's firmness and tightness. Additionally, the weakening of facial muscles, particularly those around the jaw, can contribute to the formation of jowls.
The anatomy of the jowl region is intricate and involves various structures working together. The jowl itself is composed of redundant subcutaneous tissue and overlying skin. It is situated entirely in the supra-platysmal plane, with the maximal jowl fullness corresponding to the area over the posterior end of the mandibular ligament. This area exhibits longer retinacula cutis fibres in the subcutaneous plane, allowing significant mobility of the skin over the underlying structures.
Several facial muscles play a role in the appearance of jowls. The buccolabial muscles, located in and around the mouth, include the buccinator, depressor anguli oris, depressor labii inferioris, and orbicularis oris. These muscles contribute to facial expressions such as frowning and control the movement of the lips. The masseter muscle, which runs from the cheek to the side of the jaw, is involved in chewing and clenching the jaw. When enlarged, it can contribute to a heavier jawline appearance.
The platysma muscle, located in the neck, can also influence the development of jowls. When it becomes more prominent or starts to sag, it pulls the skin of the cheek downwards, exacerbating the appearance of jowls. Additionally, overactive neck muscles, such as the platysma and the mandibular ligament, can contribute to the formation of jowls by pulling down the skin and underlying tissues.
While the formation of jowls is a natural part of ageing, certain factors can accelerate their development. These include genetics, sun exposure, weight loss, and repetitive facial expressions or habits such as chewing gum or frowning. Treatments for jowls range from facial exercises to invasive procedures like neck lifts and injectable fillers.
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Exercises to reduce jowls
Jowls are the sagging skin and fat that hang along the jawline. Age is the primary cause of jowls, but several factors can accelerate their development, including genetics, facial expressions, weight loss, sun exposure, smoking, and computer or phone usage. These factors contribute to a loss of collagen and elastin, resulting in a heavy-looking facial shape.
While there is no single method to entirely prevent jowls, specific exercises can help reduce their severity and improve facial rejuvenation. Here are some recommended exercises to target the facial muscles and reduce the appearance of jowls:
Yawning and Opening the Mouth: Start by yawning and opening your mouth as far as possible. Then, close your mouth very slowly without letting your teeth touch. This exercise helps stretch and engage the facial muscles, improving their shape and reducing the appearance of jowls.
Puckering the Lips: Lie down and pucker your lips outwards. Use your fingers to gently draw the sides of your mouth downward. This exercise is most effective when done in a reclined position and helps target the muscles around the mouth and jawline.
Cheek Blow: Blow your cheeks up as far as comfortable. This exercise expands the cheeks, working the muscles in the mid-face region, which can help lift and firm the skin, reducing the sagging appearance of jowls.
Head Tilt Chewing: Tilt your head slightly upwards and chew. This exercise targets the muscles along the jawline and can help define and sculpt the lower face, reducing the severity of jowls.
Grinning and Head Tilt: Grin as widely as comfortable, then slowly tilt your head up and down. This exercise combines a wide grin with head movement to engage the muscles around the mouth and jaw.
Lip on Lip: Place your lower lip on your top lip and tilt your head up. This exercise helps target the muscles around the lips and jawline, improving tone and reducing the sagging appearance of jowls.
In addition to these targeted exercises, general exercise can also positively impact the overall health of the skin, reducing the onset and appearance of jowls. It is recommended to perform each exercise for 5 to 20 seconds, repeating 8 to 12 times, several times daily.
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Frequently asked questions
Jowls are sagging skin/fat that hang along the lower face and jawline. They are a natural part of the ageing process, usually appearing when people reach their 40s and 50s.
Age is the primary cause of jowls. However, several factors can cause jowls to develop faster, including genetics, facial expressions, weight loss, sun exposure, smoking, and the use of computers or phones. These factors contribute to a loss of collagen and elastin, which can lead to a heavy-looking facial shape.
While no one method can entirely prevent jowls, certain lifestyle choices can help reduce the risk of early development. This includes using creams and lotions high in antioxidants that promote the production of collagen, such as retinol, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Avoiding habits and expressions that cause the jaw and cheek muscles to face downward, such as chewing gum, frowning, and excessive computer use, can also help.
There are various treatments available to minimise the appearance of jowls, ranging from free and non-invasive facial exercises to expensive and invasive procedures like facelifts and neck lifts. Facial exercises can help strengthen the underlying muscles and improve muscle tone, potentially reducing the appearance of jowls. More invasive procedures include wrinkle-relaxing injections, fillers, fat reduction injections, and botulinum toxin injections (Botox).
