Jowls and Jawline Treatment
Understand why the lower face softens with time, and how non-surgical treatments can help restore a more defined, balanced jawline.
RQIA Registered | Doctor- and Nurse-Led | Complimentary Consultation
WHO IT AFFECTS
Adults, often 40 plus
COMMON CAUSES
Laxity, volume loss, genes
TREATMENT OPTIONS
5 in-clinic options
FIRST STEP
Complimentary consultation
What are jowls?
Jowls are the soft folds of skin and tissue that can form below the corners of the mouth and along the jawline. When we are younger, the lower face has a clear, continuous jawline from ear to chin. Over time, tissues from the cheeks and lower face gradually descend and the skin loosens, so this line becomes softer and less defined, and small pockets may form either side of the chin.
Jowls usually become noticeable from our forties onwards, although genetics, weight changes and sun damage mean some people see them earlier. They are often accompanied by a softer area under the chin, deeper lines from the corners of the mouth and a looser neck. Jowls are a specific lower-face concern: if looseness is more widespread, see our guide to skin laxity, and if hollowing in the cheeks or temples is the main change, see volume loss.
A softer jawline is a normal part of ageing and not a medical problem. At our Coleraine and Derry/Londonderry clinics, jowls and jawline treatment starts with an assessment of the whole face, because jowls are often caused by changes higher up, in the cheeks and mid-face, as much as along the jaw itself.
What causes jowls and a softer jawline?
Jowls form when the skin loosens and the deeper structures of the face change shape, allowing tissue to settle along the jaw. Several factors usually work together.
Loosening skin
Collagen and elastin decline from our mid-twenties, so the skin along the jaw becomes thinner and less able to hold its shape.
Descending fat pads
Fat pads in the cheeks shrink and move lower with age. Tissue that once sat high on the face gathers along the jawline instead.
Bone and structural change
The jaw and chin bones gradually lose some volume over the years, which reduces the framework that keeps the lower face defined.
Genetics, sun and weight
Inherited face shape, years of sun exposure, smoking and weight changes all influence how early and how noticeably jowls appear.
Treatments for jowls and jawline definition at A Aesthetics
Every plan starts with a medical assessment, because jowls can come from loose skin, lost support higher in the face, or both. These are the options our team most often recommends, often used together.
PDO thread lift
Dissolvable threads placed beneath the skin can gently lift tissue along the jaw and encourage collagen as they are absorbed. They suit mild to moderate jowls in people who want visible lift without surgery.
Dermal filler
Carefully placed hyaluronic acid filler in the cheeks, jawline or chin can restore structure and improve the line of the jaw. It suits people whose jowls are linked to lost support rather than loose skin alone.
EMFACE
A needle-free BTL treatment that combines radiofrequency with muscle stimulation to support firmer skin and facial tone, including along the lower face. It suits early jowling in people who prefer no needles and no downtime.
Secret RF
Radiofrequency microneedling heats the deeper skin to encourage new collagen, helping the skin along the jaw and neck look firmer over time. It suits mild laxity and crepey skin, with short downtime.
Secret PRO
Combines radiofrequency microneedling with CO2 laser resurfacing to tighten and renew the skin. It suits people with jowling alongside textural change who can allow a few days of recovery.
Everyday tips for managing jowls
Use SPF on face and neck
Daily broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, applied down to the neck, helps protect the collagen that keeps the jawline firm. Reapply when you are outdoors for long periods.
Keep your weight stable
Repeated weight gain and loss stretches and then deflates the skin of the lower face. A steady, healthy weight is kinder to the jawline over time.
Mind your posture
Spending long periods looking down at a phone or laptop creases the skin under the chin. Raising screens to eye level is a simple habit that helps.
Care for skin quality
A consistent routine with a retinoid and a good moisturiser, plus not smoking, supports firmer skin. We can recommend medical-grade skincare for your skin.
Jowls and jawline FAQs
What causes jowls?
Jowls develop as the skin loses collagen and elastin, the fat pads in the cheeks shrink and descend, and the jaw and chin bones gradually change shape. Genetics, sun exposure, smoking and weight changes all affect when they appear and how noticeable they become.
Can jowls be prevented?
They cannot be prevented entirely, but you can slow their development. Daily sun protection on the face and neck, a stable weight, not smoking and a good skincare routine all help. Treating early laxity can also be easier than correcting established jowls later.
Which treatment is best for my jawline?
It depends on what is causing the change. Loose skin often responds to Secret RF or EMFACE, sagging tissue to a PDO thread lift, and lost structure to dermal filler in the cheeks, jaw or chin. We will look at your whole face before recommending a plan.
What results can I realistically expect?
Non-surgical treatments can soften jowls and improve jawline definition, but they do not give the same result as a surgical facelift or neck lift. Results vary from person to person, and collagen-based treatments improve gradually over several weeks. If surgery would suit you better, we will tell you honestly.
How many sessions will I need?
A thread lift or filler treatment is usually a single appointment with a review. Energy-based treatments such as EMFACE and Secret RF are normally given as a course of several sessions, followed by maintenance. You will receive a clear plan at your consultation.
Are treatments safe for my skin type?
Our jawline treatments can be adapted for a wide range of skin types and tones, but every treatment carries some risks, such as bruising, swelling or temporary tenderness, and not everyone is suitable. Our medical team reviews your medical history carefully before recommending anything.
Can treatments be combined?
Yes, and combining treatments is often the most effective approach. For example, we may restore cheek support with filler, lift with threads and improve skin firmness with Secret RF. If you also have looser skin elsewhere, our guide to skin laxity may help.
How do I book?
Start with a complimentary consultation at our Coleraine or Derry/Londonderry clinic, or call us on 028 7051 2101.
Related concerns
YOUR FIRST STEP
Begin with a complimentary consultation
Sit down with one of our medical team, talk through what you would like to change, and leave with an honest, personalised plan. No cost, no pressure, and no obligation to book.
Treatments are for adults aged 18 and over and are only offered after a face-to-face consultation.
DERRY/LONDONDERRY
50 Victoria Gate
Derry, BT47 2TP
07702 529535
COLERAINE
6–8 Dunmore Street
Coleraine, BT52 1EL
028 7051 2101
RQIA Registered | contact@aaesthetics.net
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