Why have I aged so rapidly in less than a year? How can I reduce my lower face/jowls? (Photos)

Question

I am the same weight with a healthy BMI of 19-19.5. How can I lift and reduce my lower face. I hate my jowls

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

In my experience, lower-face heaviness or jowls can reflect skin and ligament laxity, facial-volume changes, genetics, or photo/lighting differences; photos alone cannot explain a rapid change. The three photos use different selfie angles and lighting, so they cannot establish true progression or diagnose a problem. If laxity is confirmed, a lower facelift or neck lift may offer the most durable improvement; nonsurgical treatments may help selected volume or skin-quality concerns but will not duplicate a lift. Because you describe a change within a year despite stable weight, arrange an in-person exam and review any new medications, dental changes, illness, or other symptoms with your clinician.

C. Carson Huynh, MD, DMD, FACS · Answer

Hello. From your photos, the jowls are from soft tissue laxity in the lower face, not from weight change. Injectables will not reliably lift that tissue. A deep plane facelift is the most reliable way to reposition the jowl fat and restore the jawline for natural looking, long lasting results. Morpheus8/FaceTite can help skin quality but will not treat true jowls.

Muhsin Yilmaz, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

Since you are young and your weight is already stable with a healthy BMI, I would not recommend further weight loss, as losing facial volume could actually make your face look more hollow or aged.
At your age, I would not rush into a facelift simply because of jowling. First, it is important to evaluate your facial anatomy and determine what is actually contributing to the appearance of the lower face.
If an examination shows some degree of midface descent, a midface lift could potentially be considered, but I would first recommend an in-person assessment before deciding on any surgical procedure.

Michelle Zweifler, MD · Answer

Aging rapidly with stable weight, may be related to hormones or stress.  After adjusting/correcting any medical issues, options for improving lower face and jowls include nonsurgical skin tightening like Sofwave, cheek filler or facelift for longest lasting results with lifting and repositioning sagging and laxity.

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

Thank you for your photographs. Your overall facial shape is excellent. You have a youthful cheek contour and a beautiful inverted triangle facial shape. Your jawline/jowling is subtle, so a mini facelift with some SMAS elevation should smooth and straighten your jawline. This can be done under local anesthesia with sedation, as long as you are comfortable with that, which helps to reduce your cost. Speak with your Plastic surgeon about this. Best wishes.

Mert Demirel, MD · Answer

Rapid changes in the lower face can happen even without weight gain. They may be related to facial fat loss, skin laxity, genetics, stress, hormonal changes, inflammation, sleep, or changes in facial muscle tone. Sometimes what feels like “jowls” is also related to chin/jaw structure or volume loss in the midface.
At a healthy BMI of 19–19.5, I would be cautious with any treatment that removes too much fat from the face. Buccal fat removal or aggressive jawline liposuction could make you look older or more hollow over time.
If the issue is mild early jowling, non-surgical options may help a little: careful filler or biostimulator for structural support, skin tightening treatments, and good skin care. But these treatments are usually subtle and cannot truly lift loose tissue like surgery can.
If there is true lower-face descent, a mini facelift or lower facelift is the most direct option, but it may be too early depending on your age and anatomy. A good surgeon should be conservative and avoid an over-pulled look.
My advice would be to see a facial plastic surgeon for an exam and ask whether your concern is true jowling, volume loss, skin laxity, or jaw/chin structure. The safest plan may be subtle support and skin-quality treatment first, rather than aggressive fat removal or early surgery unless the laxity is clearly significant.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, you have not provided a lateral view. It appears your chin is somewhat recessed. You may benefit from a chin implant. This is done intra-orally so there are no external scar. This may help tighten the skin and minimize the jowls. Another thing to consider is an eccentric lip lift, not a bullhorn lip lift. This does 4 things: shortens the distance between your nose and upper lip, increases the mucosa of the upper lip, increases the incisor show and pulls up the corners. I would not recommend a facelift at your age.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Based on these photos it does not look like you are aging too fast; all the changes are within reasonable scope of aging. Small jowls can be addressed with conservative liposuction, chin shaped with fillers or fat grafts, chemical peel or a laser for skin rejuvenation. In person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon with good reputation in facial rejuvenation is recommended. Good luck.

Luis A. Mejia, MD · Answer

Thank for your question, Because your jowls are linked to a recessed chin rather than excess weight, your soft tissues simply lack the underlying bony scaffolding needed to stay taut. To truly lift and reduce the lower face, the most effective structural solution is a sliding genioplasty, which pushes the chin bone forward to naturally stretch the sagging muscles and skin tight. If you prefer not to alter your bone structure, a surgical facelift can physically pull the drooping tissues back into place, or non, surgical heat treatments that can provide a subtle, non-invasive tightening effect., for  more information contact us.
Dr. Luis Mejia
Let's make it better

S. Daniel Golshani, MD, FACS · Answer

At your weight, the change is likely more related to skin laxity, volume loss, or fat distribution than weight itself. If you have true jowling, nonsurgical treatments may give modest improvement, but a lower facelift is usually the most effective and predictable way to restore definition.

Why have I aged so rapidly in less than a year? How can I reduce my lower face/jowls? (Photos)

Answers (11)

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