What happened to my jawline? What can be done? (photo)

Question

in my teens and youth i had a very sculpted jawline, now thanks to genetics and age i somehow lost it, but how ? even when I'm lean it doesnt show like it used to. can anything be done for it ?

Lucian Ion, FRCS · Answer

Thank you for your question and for submitting your photograph. The appearance of the neck suggests volume situated partially under the skin and partially deep to the platysma muscle, which does carry some hereditary elements.

A deep plane neck lift procedure can reduce the volume of fat under the skin, as well as the central fat positioned under the platysma muscle, the digastric muscles under the platysma, and the lower part of the submandibular glands. Together with skin tightening, this leads to a significantly more defined contour of the jawline, which also changes the perception of the shape of the face and is likely to produce the definition that you are referring to.

Sam Speron, MD, FACS · Answer

A Mini Facelift or Midface Lift can usually be an option on most realistic patients anytime after the age of 35-40. It really depends on your anatomy and genetics. It is best to talk to your surgeon because everybody has different techniques and recovery time is usually based on a number of factors but there's no set number on age. Sometimes even younger people are candidates because of their anatomy or if they have gone through certain medical conditions. I hope this helps and wish you all the best in your surgery and event. If it does, please take a moment to up vote this answer on the “respond” button on the top right.

Amir Nakhdjevani, MBBS, MRCS, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Thank you for your question and picture.  It appears you have a little fat under the chin and also the skin has started to lose elasticity.  If you were looking for a solution which wasn't so invasive as a facelift and necklift, you could have Vaser Liposuction with Skin Tightening.  This would create more of an L shaped neck.  It does depend on the quality of your skin to how much it would shrink after the procedure.  I feel this would be a good option for you if you wasn't look for perfection.  All The Best

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Based on this photo you seem to have significant deposits of fat both on top and bellow platysma muscles as well as over lower jaw. It looks like this can be corrected with neck lift which will include liposuction, partial removal of deep fat and shaping of platysma muscles. Liposuction along jawline would help to improve that area. All of this can be done through a small incision bellow the chin; I do not expect that you will have any need for skin removal. In person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon (possible Skype evaluation) with experience in this type of surgery is recommended. Good luck.

Alejandro J. Quiroz, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. After reviewing your photos and at your age I believe that your best decision in to have a face and neck lift. My impression is that you are losing skin tone and have fat under your chin and well possible some playtime muscle changes that can all be corrected with the surgery.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

For a more defined jawline to strengthen your profile (and help prevent the dreaded jawline ""jowl"" sagging), we use injectable fillers like Revanesse Versa - a filler known to limit swelling and give subtle, soft enhancements - or Radiesse. Using a cannula to limit pain and swelling, we inject on the bone in strategic points to get more lift and shaping, resulting in a more contoured lower face and defined, structured jawline. I would suggest getting a formal evaluation with a facial sculpting expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Arnold Almonte, DO · Answer

Thanks for the question. As we age, our facial skin and deeper tissues relax and start to sag. These are classic signs of aging. Based on your pic, you also have a normal accumulation of fat under your chin as well as relaxation of a neck muscle known as the platysma. You would benefit from a lower face and neck lift which would include liposuction and a procedure called the “platysmaplasty” which improves the angle and contour of your neck. Seek out an experienced facelift surgeon and discuss the above. Good luck!

Joshua A. Halpern, MD, PA · Answer

There is a number of things that can cause a jawline to change with age. The skin stretches as we get older. The underline platysma muscle (witch goes from the chin and jawline down the neck) can also loosen up. In addition there may be excess fat between the skin and the platysma muscle and there also can be excess fat behind the platysma muscle. I had a patient in her late twenties who had all of the above except for loose skin. I performed the mini scar neck lift, which she and her parents are thrilled with! The fat between the skin and muscle was suctioned and through a small incision under the chin, the fat underneath the muscle was removed and the muscle was tightened. If there is loose skin then I perform a minimally invasive facelift, which I invented. (Please see the five day facelift patient video on our page). I hope you find this information useful. Please see the enclosed video.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

From the one very limited photograph, it appears that there's loose and inelastic skin in the neck,  and significant fatty deposits in the neck as well. A lower face and neck lift procedure can accomplish tightening loose facial and neck skin, tightening loose facial and neck muscles and removing the fatty deposits in the neck in addition to lifting the jowls. For more information  and many before-and-after   face/neck lift examples, please see the video below

Melih Erogul, MD (retired) · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!
As we age, gravity eventually overtakes skin elasticity and our faces stretch downward. The cheeks descend as there is no tethering to the nose and will create the "jowl" at the jawline. The lips will descend at a slower rate. A teenager smiling reveals his / her upper teeth. At middle age, the gap is between the teeth. As a senior citizen, the lower teeth are exposed. 
A face and neck lift will pull up the sagging tissues and restore a more youthful appearance. A submental liposuction may also be of benefit. Try to be within 15 pounds of your desired body weight as significant weight loss after the procedure will diminish the result.
You may also wish to augment the result with filler to the cheeks (zygomatic area).
Seek advice from a board certified plastic surgeon.
Best wishes...

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