Have I lost my smooth jawline due to fat or lax skin? (Photo)

Liposuction is frequently utilized to eliminate a "double chin" and/or help sculpt a jawline.  However, your issue is skin laxity which is best addressed with surgical tightening of the neck muscles and neck skin (i.e. a necklift +/- a full facelift). Glad to help.

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

Your photographs reflect a combination of loose skin and underlying muscle, fat is not your problem.No amount of superficial laser, light, ultrasound, etc is going to tighten this area-- if it sounds too good to be true...it probably is too good to be true.Make the time to visit a board certified plastic surgeon and learn more about facial and neck lift surgery.  You appear to be a great candidate who would likely see worthwhile results!Thanks for asking!Dr Ellen Mahony

You have tried a few of the most popular non-surgical devices that can tighten the skin. It is clear that these did not deliver enough improvement for you. Your photo indicates that the main issue is laxity and not excess fat. With more mature skin you would achieve more predictable and nicer improvements with a facelift. This canbe customized to focus just on the jaw line and upper neck if desired. Recovery from these limited procedures is shorter than most patients realize.  Laser assisted liposuction can be used to firm and tighten jaw line and neck skin as well. In selected patients, I use SmartLipo Triplex with continuous internal temperature monitoring to improve safety. Not all laser assisted lipo devices are created equal. I would not recommend i-lipo or trusculpt for your needs. Once you know your options, risks, costs and potential benefits you will more confidently be able to make an informed decision.Dr. Mosher

      The neck is probably better addressed with a neck lift or a lower face and neck lift in this case.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Hello and thank you for your question.My guess is that
further non-invasive treatments were recommended to you by someone not
certified to offer the full gamut of procedures designed for facial
rejuvenation. Sometimes a surgical procedure is necessary and in your case, if
redefining your jaw line is your goal, non of the non-surgical methods will do
this effectively, unfortunately. You may have some excess fat as well, but that
can be removed at the time of the face/neck lift procedure.I recommend that you
see a board certified plastic surgeon in consultation to get more specific
answers to your questions which can best be addressed after a thorough history
and examination is performed.
Best of luck to you!

Given your starting point I think your best option is for a neck lift/lower face lift.  This will tighten the neck and address your jowls. Find an experienced plastic surgeon and after he or she examines you they will be able to offer you the most effective options.

you will probably be best served with a submental plasty and face and neck lift.  I do use laser-assisted liposuction in cases like yours but with limited success.  There really is no liposuction to be done and in fact any liposuction performed is done simply to remove fluid that the laser has created when breaking down the limited fat that is there.  The idea of using some cutaneous lasers to tighten the skin is fairly well accepted but you are not a great candidate as you have laxity with very little fat.  That being said some patients in your position have chosen this treatment option because they have limited time to heal or limited funds.all in all he would probably benefit most from a face neck lift and even fat transfer to other areas of the face.  Make sure to get consultations with board-certified facial plastic surgeons before proceeding.

 The photograph shows excess inelastic, thin skin and the best  option for this is a facelift. For many examples of face neck lifts, please see the link below

Although some of these devices can help smooth the skin of the face and neck, they can cause fat reduction under the treated areas which can cause loose or lax skin. The neck is a challenging area and the only way to correct this problem is by neck lift where the neck muscle and skin are tightened.