Longer term correction of jowls

James H. Schmidt, M.D. answers: Effective and long-lasting procedure for lifting jowls?

What's the best way to get rid of jowls that are beginning to appear from the corners of my mouth down to my chin?  It's especially noticeable in my profile view. About a year ago, I had Restalyne treatments in the areas just below the corners of my mouth with only limited success. Is there any longer-lasting, more effective treatment specifically for "lifting" jowls? I'm 51 years old and have really good skin otherwise. I'm including two side by side pix after I was snorkeling in Aruba last spring, so I look really bad, but it pretty clearly shows the jowls issue.


James H. Schmidt, MD
1 month ago

Tissue fillers such as Restylane can be beneficial but you have to understand that they are rather "temporary" procedures.  The fillers do help add volume to lines, and areas with lack of volume.  They are minimally invasive with little or no "down time" and many people find this attractive.  Typically, the fillers last about 6-9 months.  The filler can be repeated.

You seem to be asking about a longer lasting solution.  Looking at your photo and based on your age you are developing some laxity in the cheek and neck tissues.  As the tissues relax, you develop the fullness,("jowels") and loose definition of the jaw line.  The best solution is to resupport the loose tissues. This would be a cheek lift, neck lift or combination of the two, (face lift), depending where the support is most needed.  During these procedures I often carefully remove some excess fat to help define the jaw line.  This can be done under direct excision or with liposuction.  But the main concept is to support the tissues.

These are the procedures that will last the longest. I tell my patients most lifting procedures last 7-10 years depending upon your individual circumstances. 

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