Jowls

What makes jowls form

As collagen and elastin decline, the skin along the jaw loses its elasticity and, helped by gravity, begins to sag over the jawline. The loss of facial volume that comes with age adds to this, and the lower face can start to look heavier or more tired than you feel. How pronounced jowls become varies with genetics, skin type and sun exposure.

Comparing the treatments

• Forma delivers controlled radiofrequency heat to the deeper layers of the skin to stimulate collagen, and jowls and the neck are among the areas it is used for. It feels like a warm massage, there is no downtime, and weekly sessions over six weeks are recommended.
• Morpheus8 combines microneedling with radiofrequency to remodel the skin more deeply, and Skin House offers a dedicated lower face and neck option. Numbing cream is applied, downtime is three to five days and three to six sessions are typical. Its colour-blind technology makes it suitable for most skin types, including darker skin tones.
• Dermal fillers restore structure rather than tighten skin. Jawline contouring and chin enhancement can sharpen the outline of the jaw so the jowl is less noticeable.
• Hydratight pairs radiofrequency with deep hydration and can be focused on the jawline, neck and cheeks in a 30 to 45 minute appointment.

Where fullness under the chin is part of the problem, fat dissolving injections can reduce a double chin before or alongside tightening. Your practitioner will assess skin quality, structure and fat at consultation and tailor the plan to the severity of the jowls and your skin type.

What progress looks like

Tightening relies on new collagen, which takes time to build. You may see a difference after the first session, but the full result develops over several weeks. Morpheus8 results can last up to a year or more, and for all skin-tightening treatments maintenance sessions are advised to keep the jawline defined.

Forma and Hydratight let you return to normal activities straight away, with any redness usually fading within a few hours. Morpheus8 involves numbing cream and a few days of visible recovery, so it is worth planning sessions around work and social events.

Protecting the result

Sun exposure contributes to the breakdown of collagen, so daily SPF on the face and neck helps preserve the work of your course. Agree a maintenance schedule at your final review so the firmness you have gained is topped up before it fades.