My face looks like it’s melting at age 31 - what can I do to fix this? (Photos)

The photos show some submental fullness under the chin and softening along the jawline/neck angle. At age 31, a full facelift is not usually the first option unless there is true skin laxity from major weight loss, genetics, or prior procedures. What feels like the face is melting can come from several different things: excess fat under the chin, a small or recessed chin, early skin laxity, platysma muscle bands, or volume changes in the midface.

The best treatment depends on which of those is dominant on an in-person exam. If the main issue is fat under the chin with good skin tone, submental liposuction or other neck-contouring options may help. If the chin is recessed, chin augmentation or filler can improve the jawline balance. If there is real loose skin or muscle banding, a limited lower face/neck lift may be discussed, but that is a bigger step and not automatically the right answer at your age. Skin-tightening treatments can help mild laxity, but they do not replace surgery when there is significant loose skin. A consultation with a board-certified facial plastic or plastic surgeon can sort out whether this is a fat, skin, muscle, or chin-proportion issue before choosing a procedure.

Dear chickmama101,

Thankyou for providing pictures for reference. As per your pictures you seem to be experiencing face laxity, meaning your skin is losing its firmness and tightness which could be due to many factors like pregnancies weight loss stress etc. In such a case a full-face lift is most beneficial for a permanent solution it would target neck, midface and temporal area. I would suggest to look into expert surgeons who deals in scarless endoscopic vertical facelift which would give you a natural look after full recovery. Moreover, scarless would mean that the lift incisions will be hidden in you hairline and after full recovery will be invisble to see. I recommend vertical facefiit so that you dont get a pulled or artificial look. Furthermore, fat injections is also a technique I would suggest for the areas around your mouth for any deep wrinkles or smile lines, it would greatly fill in the lack of volume. In addition, thses fat injections will treat yourt weak chin as this will harmonize your side profile.

Best Regards,
TAS TEAM

Thank you for submitting your question and photos. You are likely a candidate for a neck lift to address signs of aging under the chin and around the neck. This procedure can revitalize the appearance of the throat and jawline by tightening the muscles that can cause horizontal banding, as well as removing excess skin.

Lifting the deeper tissues prior to excising loose skin can produce firm, natural-looking results that generally last over ten years. I recommend scheduling an in-person consultation with an experienced, board-certified facial plastic surgeon who can make the best suggestion for helping you achieve your cosmetic goals.

You have a few options. You have a bit of a "soft" chin. A genioplasty (bring the chin forward and slightly down) would create more chin and jawline definition, while tightening some of the skin. Many people also get contouring with that, to provide more definition to the jawline. Another option would be a neck or thread lift. Each has their benefits and would make improvements, but together may give you the best outcome. After the procedure, there are skin treatments, such as microneedling with RF (radiofrequency) that will help to keep the skin tight below the chin and on your neck,

I would highly recommend a facelift/necklift to tighten the deeper structures and also remove the excess skin. I would highly recommend seeing a board eligible or board certified plastic surgeon for a physical exam and accurate analysis with safe recommendations for potential surgical options. Best of luck!

Thank you for your question. What can be done will hinge largely upon what your goals are. The treatment which will offer the most dramatic improvement will entail a facelift and necklift, along with liposuction. This will serve to reduce jowling and neck fullness, and impart more of a heart-shaped, youthful appearance. I would also suggest a chin implant in order to optimize the result and help define a crisp jawline. I hope this is helpful, and I wish you all the best.
-Dr. P

Based on your photos, you have a weak chin, sagging jowls, and excess fat and skin of the neck. A chin implant would make the chin more prominent and help with the excess skin of the neck. I have recently written a chapter in a plastic surgery textbook on my suture suspension necklift technique. This procedure addresses all of the layers in the neck, including the skin that will be removed with the scars behind the ears, the muscle that will be tightened and lifted giving you a more defined jawline, and any excess fat will be liposuctioned. You may consider fat grafting to the smile lines and cheeks which will make the smile lines less pronounced.

The limited photographs demonstrate recessive chin profile, and significant fat deposits in the neck located above and below the platysma muscle in the neck. Consider placement of a chin implant to augment the chin forward for better structural support for the soft tissues in the neck. A necklift can accomplish removal of those two fat compartments above and below the platysma muscle in addition of a platysma-plasty to significantly improve the jawline. At 31, your skin tone should be excellent, unless you had a massive weight loss situation. If there is loose and inelastic skin in the neck, then a lower face and necklift will be required.

With a small incision under your chin, in a fold high on the neck, we can greatly improve your neck and appearance. We'd contour the underlying tissues and strengthen the jawline. You will be very pleased!

Patients with concerns like these are great candidates for a deep neck lift through a single incision under the chin. The deeper tissues of the neck, including fat, muscle, and salivary glands, can drop even at a young age. Also consider a chin implant, which can lengthen the jawline and make the neck angle look more crisp!