A strong, defined jawline gives you more confidence and adds shape to your lower face. As you age, however, gravity combines with changes in your skin to cause sagging jowls. Often combined with loose neck skin and drooping in the lower face, these jowls can make your lower face look heavier and older. Fortunately, a facelift can tighten and lift your jowls to restore your jawline.
What Causes Sagging Jowls?
Many factors contribute to skin laxity, especially around your lower face. Factors that contribute to the formation of sagging jowls include:
- Genetics
- Loss of collagen and elastin
- Changes in facial volume
- Your skincare and sun exposure history
- Significant weight loss
As your face loses volume, it becomes looser and sags downward. At the same time, your skin loses firmness and elasticity, becoming less able to rebound or tighten itself. As a result, loose skin follows gravity into your lower face, where it causes your jowls to droop. Losing a significant amount of weight can also cause volume loss that leads to sagging skin.
What’s the Best Treatment for Sagging Jowls?
While non-surgical treatments offer some degree of tightening for mild laxity, the best treatment for sagging jowls is a facelift or rhytidectomy. Dr. Stein is a specialist in facial plastic surgery and performs over 100 facelifts every year. A facelift addresses concerns such as loose neck skin, heavy jowls, and wrinkles or creases. It is the definitive treatment for restoring a tight, sculpted jawline
How is a Facelift Performed?
During your facelift, Dr. Stein will use small incisions hidden in your hairline or around your ears to lift and tighten your skin and underlying structures. By lifting these deeper layers that support your skin, he achieves a refreshed, natural appearance that never looks “overdone.” The incisions are closed with sutures, and after an observation period, you can have someone drive you home.
What is Recovery Like After a Facelift for Sagging Jowls?
You can expect some swelling and discomfort after your facelift, especially during the first three to five days. Dr. Stein and his team will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions, including when to return for follow-up visits. Most people can return to work after two weeks, although you may still have some swelling. Dr. Stein will clear you to return to your exercise routine and other strenuous activities, usually after about six weeks.
Am I a Good Candidate for a Facelift?
If you are considering a facelift for your sagging jowls, you should be in good health and have achievable goals. Good candidates want to address concerns like loose skin, loss of definition, and lines and wrinkles. You should not have a facelift if you have certain medical conditions or are pregnant.
Take the Next Step
Are you interested in a facelift for sagging jowls? If you would like to schedule an in-person consultation, please fill out the form on this page or call (919) 283-2257, and one of our knowledgeable medical staff members at Stein Plastic Surgery will reach out to you promptly.
Stein Plastic Surgery is located in the Raleigh, Durham, and Southeast NC areas serving patients.
