Saggy Jowls: Causes and Treatments

As we age, certain changes in our facial structure become more noticeable. One of the most common concerns people have is the appearance of saggy jowls—the drooping skin and soft tissue along the jawline and lower cheeks. 

While this is a natural part of ageing, it can be distressing for many who feel it makes them look older or tired. Fortunately, there are several treatments—both non-surgical and surgical that can help restore a more youthful and defined jawline.

In this blog, we’ll explore the causes of saggy jowls, who may be more likely to get them, and the most effective treatment options available today.

What Are Saggy Jowls?

Jowls are the lower areas of the cheeks, mainly around the jawline. When the skin in this region begins to droop or sag, it’s commonly referred to as saggy jowls.

They can vary in severity—from mild sagging that is only noticeable in certain lighting to more prominent drooping that alters the natural contour of the face.

What Causes Sagging Jowls?

Saggy jowls can develop due to a mix of natural ageing, genetics, and lifestyle habits. While they’re most common as we grow older, some people may notice them appearing earlier depending on various internal and external factors.

1. Loss of Collagen and Elastin

As we age, our skin gradually loses collagen and elastin, two key proteins that keep it firm and flexible. Collagen helps maintain the skin’s firmness and shape, while elastin gives it the ability to stretch and return to its original form. A decrease in these proteins weakens the skin’s resilience, causing it to sag around the jawline and cheeks, where gravity takes over.

2. Genetic Factors

Your family history plays a major role in how your skin ages. If your parents or close family members have jowls, there’s a higher chance you might get them as well. People with naturally thinner skin or lower baseline collagen levels might even start to notice sagging as early as their twenties.

3. Repetitive Facial Movements

Over time, frequently making certain facial expressions can loosen the skin and underlying muscles, especially in the lower face. This repetitive movement gradually breaks down skin elasticity, contributing to drooping in the jowl area.

4. Weight Fluctuations

Significant weight gain stretches the skin, and if the weight is lost quickly or repeatedly, the skin may not fully snap back—especially in the face. This can leave behind sagging skin around the cheeks and jaw.

5. Sun Damage

Excess sun exposure breaks down collagen and accelerates the skin’s ageing process. Ultraviolet (UV) rays damage skin cells at a deep level, leading to premature sagging, especially in areas like the lower face and neck.

6. Smoking and Tobacco Use

Smoking introduces toxins that restrict blood flow and impair the skin’s ability to regenerate. Nicotine also breaks down collagen and elastin, speeding up skin ageing and making jowls more prominent over time.

7. Technology Use and Posture (“Tech Neck”)

Regularly looking down at your phone, laptop, or tablet can lead to creasing and sagging skin on the neck and lower face. Bad posture while using devices can speed up skin sagging in these areas, which is often called “tech neck”.

8. Poor Diet and Lifestyle Habits

A diet high in sugar, alcohol, or processed foods can compromise skin health by promoting inflammation and oxidative stress. Combined with a lack of proper skincare or hydration, these habits can contribute to the early breakdown of skin structure and increased sagging.

Who Is Most at Risk?

While anyone can develop saggy jowls, certain factors increase the risk:

• People over the age of 40.

• Individuals with a family history of sagging skin.

• Smokers

• People who spend a lot of time in the sun without using proper protection.

• Individuals who have experienced significant weight loss.

Exercises to Reduce the Appearance of Saggy Jawline

While facial exercises won’t offer dramatic results like clinical treatments, they can be a helpful addition to your skincare and anti-ageing routine. Regularly working out the muscles in your face may help improve muscle tone, boost circulation, and promote a slightly firmer, more lifted appearance over time.

Here are some simple and popular exercises that target the lower face and jawline:

1. The Chin Lift

This exercise helps stretch and strengthen the muscles in your jaw, neck, and throat.

• Sit or stand upright and tilt your head back to look at the ceiling.
• Purse your lips as if you’re trying to kiss the ceiling.
• Hold for 5–10 seconds, then relax.
• Repeat 10–15 times.

2. Jawline Definer

This move helps tone the muscles around your jaw and under your chin.

• Tilt your head back slightly.
• Move your lower jaw outward until you feel a gentle stretch beneath your chin.
• Hold for 5 seconds, then relax.
• Repeat 10 times.

3. The “O” Exercise

Targets the cheeks and area around the mouth.

• Keep your lips closed and shape your mouth into an “O” formation.
• While maintaining this shape, smile as much as you can without opening your lips.
• Hold for 5 seconds and release.
• Repeat 10–15 times.

4. Neck Resistance

This strengthens neck muscles and supports the lower face.

• Rest your hand on your forehead and press your head against it, making sure it stays in place without shifting forward.
• Hold the tension for 5 seconds.
• Do this movement five times, then repeat it with your hand positioned behind your head.

While facial exercises won’t replace professional treatments for more advanced sagging, they can help maintain muscle tone and improve the overall appearance of your jawline when done regularly.

Sagging Jowls Treatment Options

If you’re looking to reduce sagging along the jawline, several effective treatments can help tighten, lift, and contour the lower face. These options range from non-invasive solutions with minimal downtime to surgical procedures offering more dramatic and lasting results.

Dermal Fillers

Fillers made from hyaluronic acid (like Juvederm or Restylane) are injected into areas of volume loss, such as the cheeks or along the jawline. By restoring lost volume and structure, they help lift the skin and reduce the visibility of jowls.

Best for:

Mild to moderate sagging caused by volume loss.

Results:

Immediate lift with results lasting 6–18 months, depending on the filler used.

Thread Lifting

Thread lifting involves placing biodegradable threads (such as PDO or PLLA) under the skin using a fine needle. The threads softly lift loose skin and gradually boost collagen production over time.

Best for:

Mild to moderate skin laxity and those wanting subtle, natural-looking results without surgery.

Results:

Visible lift immediately, with continued improvement over 2–3 months. Results can last up to 12–18 months.

Ultherapy / HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound)

These treatments use ultrasound energy to target the deeper foundational layers of the skin—similar to those addressed in surgery. The heat encourages the skin to produce new collagen, helping it slowly become firmer and more lifted.

Best for:

Mild to moderate jowls and loose skin around the jawline.

Results:

Gradual improvement over 2–3 months with continued lifting for up to 6 months. Results last about a year or more.

Radiofrequency (RF) Skin Tightening

Radiofrequency treatment heats the skin to boost collagen and elastin production, enhancing texture, firmness, and elasticity—all without requiring recovery time.

Best for:

Early signs of sagging, fine lines, and loss of skin firmness.

Results:

Subtle tightening after a few sessions. Best outcomes are seen with a series of treatments.

Microneedling with Radiofrequency (RF Microneedling)

This treatment combines the benefits of microneedling with radiofrequency energy. Tiny needles create micro-injuries in the skin, while RF heat is delivered deep into the tissue to rebuild collagen.

Best for:

Improving skin tone, texture, and firmness, especially when sagging is mild to moderate.

Results:

Skin becomes firmer and smoother over several weeks. Typically recommended in a series of 3–4 treatments.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy treatments use high-frequency radio waves to heat the skin just below the surface. This heat causes collagen fibres to contract (tighten immediately) and encourages the body to produce more collagen over time, improving firmness and elasticity.

Best for:

Mild jowls and early skin laxity, especially for those preferring a gentle, non-invasive method.

Results:

A gradual lift and tightening effect. Maintenance treatments are often recommended every few months for best results.

Facelift (Rhytidectomy)

A facelift surgically tightens the facial muscles, removes excess skin, and repositions sagging tissue for a significantly younger and more defined appearance. The procedure can be customised to focus on specific areas, including the mid-face and jawline.

Best for:

Moderate to severe sagging, deep jowls, and excess loose skin.

Results:

Immediate and long-lasting results, typically lasting 7–10 years or more with proper care.

Neck Lift

Often combined with a facelift, a neck lift targets the area under the chin and along the neck. It tightens loose skin, removes excess fat, and refines the contour of the jawline and neck.

Best for:

Sagging neck skin and prominent jowls.

Results:

Long-lasting improvement with a more youthful, sculpted neck and jawline.

Facial Liposuction

In cases where sagging is caused by fat accumulation, facial liposuction can be used to remove pockets of fat from under the chin and jawline, helping define the lower face.

Best for:

Excess fat in the lower face contributes to jowls (especially in younger patients with good skin elasticity).

Results:

Permanent fat reduction with noticeable contour improvement.

Preventive Tips to Delay Saggy Jowls

While it’s not always possible to completely avoid jowls, adopting healthy lifestyle habits can delay their onset and reduce how noticeable they become over time. Here are some simple yet effective ways to help keep your skin firm and youthful for longer:

• Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated and maintain its elasticity.

• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily to protect against UVA and UVB rays.

• Wear protective clothing like hats or scarves during prolonged sun exposure.

• Use skincare products rich in antioxidants such as retinol, vitamin C, and vitamin E to support collagen production.

• Moisturise regularly to keep the skin smooth, supple, and resilient.

• Avoid repetitive facial movements like excessive gum chewing or constantly looking down at screens.

• Follow a balanced, nutrient-rich diet to nourish the skin from within.

• Exercise regularly to support overall circulation and muscle tone, including in the face.

• Refrain from smoking as it damages collagen and accelerates skin ageing.

• Sleep on your back to prevent pressure and creasing on facial skin.

• Practice facial exercises to tone muscles and promote firmness in the lower face.

Final Thoughts

Saggy jowls are a natural part of ageing, but they don’t have to define how you look or feel. Whether you want a gentle lift or a noticeable change, there are plenty of safe and effective treatment options to choose from.

If you’re noticing early signs of sagging or already dealing with more prominent jowls, it’s a good idea to consult with a qualified aesthetic practitioner. They can create a customised treatment plan tailored to your skin type, age, and personal beauty goals.

Frequently Asked Questions