Would microneedling help tighten my sagging cheeks, chin and jaw? 32 y/o female (photos)

Question

I am 5’4 and 121lbs. I believe I have Ehlers-Danlos but need a formal diagnosis. I struggled with severe skin picking for 13 years but am recovering from that. My skin is very stretchy and my cheeks are sagging into my jaw and worsening my double chin. When sitting down and relaxing, my face practically sinks into my neck. I would prefer to avoid spending thousands on procedures but it’s only getting worse. I’ve had microneedling in the past for my acne scars- could it help w tightening too?

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Microneedling can help improve skin texture and stimulate collagen production, which may offer some tightening benefits for sagging skin. However, with your unique skin characteristics, particularly if you have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, the skin’s elasticity and response to treatments may differ from typical expectations. While microneedling can help with mild skin laxity, it may not provide the level of tightening you're hoping for in more advanced cases of sagging.

For tighter skin in areas like the cheeks, chin, and jaw, other options such as radiofrequency treatments, Ultherapy, or dermal fillers may offer more noticeable results. These treatments are less invasive than surgery and can be more effective for addressing sagging skin.

It’s important to approach treatments cautiously, especially with your skin’s elasticity and history of skin picking. I would recommend a thorough consultation to assess the best course of action based on your skin condition and goals.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

First you want to rule out Ehlers-Danlos before deciding on a treatment.  Two options to consder are FaceTite and Morpheus8.  FaceTite uses RF technology to tighten skin.  It is great for those with mild to moderate skin laxity but who are not quite ready for a face lift.  Morpheus8 can be used separately or together with FaceTite.  I've included a video that I hope you find helpful.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Morpheus 8 is a non-invasive skin and soft tissue tightening treatment that is consistently amazing in our patients. We use the Morpheus to exact fractional induced RF into the skin or tissue in order to tighten collagen and stimulate contraction of the tissue. For acne scars, it is quite useful to build collagen in patients who have atrophic scars but is not very productive for ice-pick scars which require TCA Cross. For tissue tightening, Morpheus is ideal for the face and neck and we often combine it with CO2 laser or Ultherapy to further enhance results. Chemical peels and skin resurfacing should be done at least 5 to 7 days after, but can be performed earlier, depending on treatment severity. Avoid exfoliating skin treatments before Morpheus and expect a period of 2-4 weeks for skin contraction to set in.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Tulsi Kotecha, MD · Answer

Hey there! Microneedling is an amazing collagen-stimulating treatment, but for significant skin laxity in the cheeks, chin, and jawline, it’s usually not strong enough on its own to create noticeable tightening.,
For tightening + collagen regeneration, RF Microneedling (Sylfirm X or Morpheus8) is a very effective treatment.– Unlike traditional microneedling, this delivers radiofrequency (heat energy) into the deeper layers of skin to stimulate contraction and lift. It’s stronger than standard microneedling, especially for sagging skin and loss of elasticity.
 PDO Threads – A great non-surgical option for mild sagging! Threads create instant lift while also stimulating long-term collagen production, making them a solid choice for your concerns.
Collagen Biostimulators (Radiesse or Sculptra) – Instead of traditional fillers, biostimulators work by thickening and strengthening your skin over time, improving elasticity and firmness.
Combination Approach – In many cases, a mix of RF Microneedling + PDO Threads + Biostimulators provides the best natural tightening without surgery.
If you’re on a budget-conscious plan, I’d recommend starting with RF Microneedling + targeted PDO threads and adjusting based on your skin’s response.

Would microneedling help tighten my sagging cheeks, chin and jaw? 32 y/o female (photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: RF Microneedling

Answer: RF Microneedling

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Would microneedling help tighten my sagging cheeks, chin and jaw? 32 y/o female (photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: RF Microneedling

Answer: RF Microneedling

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Everything you need to know about Microneedling

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.