Jowls refer to the sagging skin below the chin and jawline. It commonly forms as we age and can drastically change the appearance of your face and your overall confidence. However, it is possible to get rid of sagging jowls with plastic surgery. Facelifts surgically remove excess skin, making them a good jowl treatment to give you a more youthful appearance.
In this article, we’ll discuss why jowls form and how to get rid of sagging jowls with a facelift.
What Causes Sagging Jowls?
Jowls refer to the loose skin that sags below your chin or jawline. They’re a common sign of aging, like wrinkles, that develop from the loss of collagen and elasticity in your skin. Jowls may never form, and in some, they may form earlier than in others. Below, we’ll discuss the causes of jowls and how certain factors can cause the expedited creation of jowls.
Aging
As we age, collagen production decreases which causes our skin to become less elastic and weak. When our skin loses its elasticity and strength, it struggles to cling to our bones and muscles, which can cause jowls.
Genetics
Jowls can develop earlier, depending on your genetics. If deep-set jowls or thin skin runs in your family, then your jowls may look more pronounced at a younger age.
Sun Exposure
Exposure to the sun can damage collagen faster than aging, which means those who don’t protect their skin from the sun can expect to have saggier skin earlier. The UV light from the sun breaks down the elastin in your skin, which causes your facial skin to sag (also known as skin laxity) and stretch into jowls.
Smoking
Smoking is a significant contributor to jowls and other signs of aging on the face. This is due to the nicotine and chemicals in cigarette smoke, which break down collagen in your skin, causing skin laxity. In addition, smoking leads to saggy skin because it causes your blood vessels to narrow, which limits the vitamins and nutrients your blood brings to your skin.
Weight Fluctuations
A fluctuating weight can be detrimental to the elasticity of your skin and can promote the formation of sagging jowls. As you gain weight, your skin accommodates the additional weight by stretching out. When that weight is lost, you also lose some of your skin’s elasticity. Frequent weight changes can cause your skin to sag more.
Can You Get Rid of Jowls Without Surgery?
Yes, and no. If you’re younger or in the early stages of your jowls forming, there are options like dermal fillers that can help address your jowls. However, if you’re older and have more serious sagging jowls, you’ll most likely need surgery to get rid of your jowls, sagging skin, and relaxed muscles. The best cosmetic surgery to get rid of sagging jowls is a facelift.
Facelift for Jowls
Facelifts lift and tighten your face, so naturally, the procedure can address the underlying issues that cause sagging jowls. During a facelift, your cosmetic surgeon will tighten the underlying facial muscles and skin tissue, remove or resculpt your fat, and remove excess fat pads that contribute to sagging jowls and double chins.
Below, we’ll discuss the facelift procedure and what you can expect.
Procedure
A facelift procedure requires some necessary incisions to address the underlying skin tissue, fat, and muscles in order to create a youthful appearance and face shape. These include traditional facelift incisions and limited incisions:
- Traditional incisions start at the hairline and go down around the front of the ear, and end behind the ear. To reduce the appearance of your jowls, you will most likely need another incision made under the chin.
- Limited incisions are hidden behind the hairline and ears. However, this type of incision is used in procedures where there is less skin to address.
Before these incisions, you will be sedated with local anesthesia or general anesthesia. Facelifts are outpatient procedures, though, so the use of anesthesia won’t affect your ability to return home after your procedure. After your sedation and incisions, your surgeon will address your sagging skin and jowls through skin tightening, redistributing or removing fat, and addressing your relaxed muscles.
Mini Facelift
A mini-facelift targets the lower third of your face, tightening the skin around the neck and jawline. This makes this procedure great for treating the underlying issues related to jowls. The procedure will remove excess skin and tighten sagging skin and muscle to reduce your jowls. They do require general or local anesthesia but mini facelifts tend to have a shorter recovery time in comparison to other facelift procedures. If you have less serious jowls, a mini-facelift can help you alleviate the look of your jowls, but for more serious jowls, you will need a different procedure.
Cost
A facelift in Tampa, FL, costs on average between $8,000-$9,000. The final cost of your facelift for sagging jowls usually includes any necessary anesthesia, medical supplies, the use of a surgical facility, and the surgeon’s fees.
However, depending on your type of procedure, the total cost can vary:
- Mini Facelifts cost between $4,500-$8,000.
- SMAS Facelifts cost between $8,000-$11,000
- MACS Facelifts cost between $5,000-$6,500
- Full Facelifts cost between $8,000-$11,000
Recovery
Typically, your facelift recovery will last about a month. Directly after your facelift, you can expect swelling, discomfort, numbness, scarring, and bruising, which your bandages will help limit. Within the first two weeks after your jowls surgery, you should begin to see noticeable improvement and healing. It’s best to give yourself the time to rest and recover properly to get the best results.
Results
After three to four weeks, you should be able to see the results of your facelift. Depending on your procedure, you may see your results sooner. You will see some results within the first month, but typically the final results of your jowl removal will begin to become apparent after the first month to six weeks.
The results of your procedure will be permanent. However, facelifts don’t prevent aging, so as you age, you will still get wrinkles and other signs of aging in time. Facelifts typically last about ten years before the signs of aging become more apparent.
Who is a Good Candidate for Facelift?
If you’re unhappy with the look of your sagging jowls, or any other signs of aging or sagging skin on your face, then a facelift can help. The best candidates are people who are interested in the realistic results facelifts can offer, are non-smokers, and are generally healthy.
Choosing the Right Plastic Surgeon for Facelift
To get the best results from your facelift, you’ll need an experienced and qualified surgeon. At Elite Facial Plastic Surgery, Dr. Dominic Castellano is a double-board certified plastic surgeon specializing in cosmetic procedures of the face. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Castellano about getting rid of sagging jowls with plastic surgery, call us today at 813-547-6992 or fill out the online form.
