Do you feel frustrated with sagging skin around your jawline or mouth? Jowls and loose skin can sneak up on us, causing us to feel less confident about our appearance. Alarmingly, you might even start to see jowls in your 20βs.
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As we age, our skin naturally loses elasticity, which leads to drooping around the lower face and chin.Β
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In this article, weβll take a journey to look at several effective treatment options that can help you tighten the skin around your mouth and jawline. Letβs dive in!
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Key Takeaways
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Sagging skin around your jawline and mouth area is often caused by the age-related loss of collagen and elastin which can be made worse through sun exposure, weight fluctuations, and smoking.
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Non-surgical treatments like facial exercises, targeted skincare, and laser skin tightening may help to improve firmness and reduce the appearance of jowls.
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Surgical options like face lifts and neck lifts provide dramatic and long-lasting results for severe sagging.
- Lifestyle changes such as getting high-quality sleep with mouth tape, establishing a proper skincare routine, and a healthy diet can help to prevent sagging skin and boost elasticity to reduce the likelihood of jowls.
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What Causes Jowls?
Jowls typically result from the gradual breakdown of collagen and elastin in our skin.Β
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This is because collagen provides structural support, while elastin gives the skin its βbounce-backβ quality. So, when collagen and elastin decrease, the elastic nature of our skin decreases, especially in the deep layers of the skin around the lower part of your face.Β
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Other factors like genetics, sun exposure, smoking, and weight fluctuations can speed up this process even more. This can lead to saggy jowls, fine lines, and wrinkles around the mouth.
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A lack of muscle tone around your jaw and reduced volume in your face can also play a role in jowl formation, as these two issues can give the appearance of loose skin along the jawline (and a double chin).
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While this is a natural part of aging, there are many ways to reduce the appearance of jowls and tighten the skin for a more youthful and βliftedβ look.
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5 Treatments for Jowls
Many non-invasive and lifestyle treatments can improve skin laxity and reduce the appearance of sagging jowls. Letβs look at some options below:
Treatment #1: Facial Exercises
Facial exercises are a non-invasive way to tone and tighten the muscles around the jawline, which can eventually reduce sagging skin over time with consistency.
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These exercises target specific areas, stimulating the facial muscles to build strength and grow in size which can help to lift saggy skin naturally around the jaw and chin area.
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Simple exercises, such as chin lifts, jaw clenches, and neck stretches, can be done daily to help reduce the appearance of jowls.Β
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When practiced consistently, facial exercises also boost blood circulation to the skin, encouraging oxygen and nutrient flow to the area, which could help to promote collagen and elastin production too.
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While results take time and regular practice, facial exercises are a safe and free solution to create a more defined jawline without the need for invasive treatments.
Learn more here: Best Non-Surgical Facelift for Jowls.
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Treatment #2: Skin-Tightening CreamsΒ
Skin-tightening creams are a great option for firming the skin around your jawline and mouth at home. Look for creams containing collagen and elastin-boosting ingredients, which work to nourish and restore the skinβs structure such as:
- Peptides
- Retinoids
- Hyaluronic acid
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By hydrating the skin and supporting its natural repair process, these creams can gradually reduce the appearance of sagging.Β
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Itβs best to apply these creams twice daily in both the morning and night. Massage them into the skin with upward strokes to encourage circulation.
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Although results are gradual, with long-term, consistent use, skin-tightening creams can be a valuable addition to your skin care routine by supporting the overall health of your skin.
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Treatment #3: Laser Skin Tightening
Laser skin tightening is a popular non-surgical option for firming sagging skin and reducing the appearance of jowls.Β
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Laser treatments, such as fractional lasers, penetrate the skinβs deeper layers, stimulating collagen production and promoting skin regeneration. The heat from the laser encourages the bodyβs natural healing process, resulting in more elastic skin over time.
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Laser skin tightening can be customized for specific areas, including the jawline and mouth, making it an effective treatment for targeting jowls and sagging skin without surgery.Β
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While you may experience mild redness and swelling after the treatment is done, thereβs very minimal downtime.
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Most individuals see noticeable improvements after a few sessions, with optimal results appearing after a few months as collagen rebuilds.Β
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Treatment #4: Radiofrequency Treatments
Radiofrequency (RF) treatments are a proven method to firm loose skin around the jawline, using heat energy to stimulate collagen production in the deeper layers of the skin.Β
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During an RF treatment, a special device emits controlled radiofrequency energy, heating the dermis (middle layer of your skin) to trigger collagen and elastin production. The result? Tighter, smoother skin around the mouth and jawline.Β
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RF treatments might sound scary but they are actually very comfortable, with a warm sensation on the skin. They also typically have no downtime, making them easy to incorporate into a busy schedule!
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A series of sessions is often recommended for optimal results, as the benefits of collagen stimulation develop gradually.Β
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Treatment #5: Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are a fast, non-surgical way to help smooth the skin around the mouth and jawline, to reduce the appearance of jowls.Β
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Fillers use hyaluronic acid or other substances to restore some of the volume in our faces that is lost with age. This adds plumpness to areas where skin has sagged.Β
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By injecting fillers strategically along the jawline and around the mouth, itβs possible to create a lifted effect immediately. Itβs important to note that fillers arenβt permanent and they typically last between six months to a year. They can also βmigrateβ to other parts of your face, so itβs always important to discuss the potential downsides with your practitioner.
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Treatment #6: Neck Lift
A neck lift is a surgical procedure designed to remove excess skin around the neck and jawline area.Β
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This treatment very effectively reduces sagging jowls, smooths out wrinkles, and creates a more defined jawline. During this particular procedure, a surgeon makes small incisions behind the ears and under the chin, and then carefully lifts and secures the skin to give a firmer appearance.
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While a neck lift is definitely more invasive than other options, it delivers dramatic and long-lasting results. Recovery can be a bit of a rocky road, with swelling and bruising that typically takes a few weeks to heal.Β
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This treatment is ideal for individuals with severe sagging who want a significant transformation.
4 Tips to Prevent Jowls
Want to prevent sagging skin? These lifestyle tips can help:
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Getting a Good Nightβs Sleep
Quality sleep is essential for protecting your skin health and reducing other signs of aging. This is because during sleep, your body boosts collagen production, repairs damaged cells, and increases blood flow to the skin.
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One of the best ways to support truly deep, restorative sleep is by adding mouth taping to your routine.Β
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By gently sealing your lips shut while you sleep, mouth tape prevents mouth breathing and promotes nasal breathing (the bodyβs most natural breathing pathway) which can reduce sleeping interruptions and snoring, while promoting deeper relaxation and more REM sleep.Β
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Learn more here about the benefits of mouth taping for sleep.
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Not all mouth tapes are created equal, so if youβre looking for the best mouth tape for sleeping, get your hands on Dream Recovery.
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Made from luxuriously soft organic bamboo silk and hypoallergenic adhesive, Dream Recovery Mouth Tape is incredibly comfortable, gentle on the skin, and strong enough to stay on all night.
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Try Dream Recovery Mouth Tape now.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
A healthy diet is essential for reducing skin aging and preventing sagging, including jowls. Nutrient-rich foods like brightly colored fruits and vegetables provide antioxidants that protect your skin from aging and damage, while high-protein sources provide essential amino acids to support collagen production and skin firmness.Β
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Healthy fats from avocados, nuts, and omega 3s also help to strengthen the skin barrier - which is essential to keep your skin hydrated and glowy.
Protect Your Skin from The Sun
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Protecting your skin from the sun is crucial for reducing skin aging and preventing sagging. This is because UV exposure breaks down collagen and elastin in your skin, which can lead to wrinkles, fine lines, and saggy skin.Β
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This is why using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily is really important. You can also wear protective clothing like hats and sunglasses, and try to find shade during the peak sun hours of the day.Β
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is wonderful for helping to reduce skin aging and to maintain a more youthful look. Thatβs because proper hydration supports skin elasticity, which can minimize the appearance of fine lines.
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Try to prioritize drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day and consuming water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables to keep your skin plump, smooth, and glowing!Β
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Hydration also strengthens the skinβs barrier, which can help to prevent dryness and irritation that can accelerate aging.
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FAQ
Can you reverse sagging jowls around the mouth?
Yes, you can reverse sagging jowls around the mouth. Surgical treatments like a neck or facelift and non-surgical treatments like laser skin-tightening, radiofrequency, and dermal fillers can offer significant results.
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How to fix saggy jowls without surgery?
You can fix saggy jowls without surgery with treatments like laser skin-tightening, radiofrequency, dermal fillers, mouth tape, and facial exercises.
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What is the best treatment to lift sagging jowls?
The best treatment to lift sagging jowls is a neck and face lift. While this is the most effective treatment for sagging jowls, itβs highly invasive and expensive. Other treatment options include dermal fillers, laser skin-tightening, mouth tape, and radiofrequency.
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Final Thoughts
Developing jowls can take a real hit on your confidence, but the good news is that there are treatment options that can get you feeling like your best self again!
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Whether you choose non-invasive treatments like skin-tightening laser therapy and dermal fillers or even surgical options like a neck lift, there are solutions for everybody.
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Jowls can also be prevented with the right measures such as getting high-quality sleep with mouth tape, maintaining a healthy diet, and protecting your skin from the sun - all of which can slow the aging process and keep your skin firm.
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