Treatments to Remove Sagging Jowls (Droopy Jowls) in Tampa, FL

What Are Sagging Jowls (Droopy Jowls)

Over time, as you age, your skin loses the laxity and elasticity it had during your youth, since your body stops producing the collagen and elastin required for skin to “bounce back.” When this happens, your skin may begin to sag and droop. This can happen anywhere on your body, including the upper arms, breasts, and stomach, and can also affect your face and neck. When the skin begins to sag and droop around your jawline, this may create the appearance of drooping or sagging jowls: skin that drops below your chin and jawline, and hangs slack. The skin on the face is particularly susceptible to drooping because it is thinner than elsewhere on the body, and you may develop jowls more easily if you have more fat in your cheeks.

What Are the Common Causes of Jowls Sagging?

While sagging skin anywhere on the body, including the face, is a common and completely natural part of the aging process, there are a number of other reasons you may develop sagging jowls.

Genetic Factors

If other members of your family, especially your parents, have jowls, it is more likely that you will develop them with age, as well. If genetics are a factor, for instance, if you are genetically predisposed to thinner skin or less collagen in general, it is also possible to develop jowls earlier in life.

Environmental factors

Excessive sun exposure, smoking, and using computers or phones for many hours a day can also lead to jowls. Sun exposure and smoking cause damage to your skin’s collagen and elastin, which can result in premature sagging, while angling your head downwards to look at your phone or computer for many hours a day can make the skin around your neck lose elasticity, resulting in a condition known as “tech neck.”

Soft Tissue Fillers

While you may not be able to avoid jowls if you are genetically predisposed to them, there are some steps you can take to lessen their appearance or prevent them if you do not have a genetic predisposition.

Try to avoid smoking and limit your time in the sun, to ensure that your skin produces sufficient collagen and elastin to maintain its tightness and does not increase in laxity. If you plan to be outdoors on a sunny day, be sure to apply sunscreen liberally to your face and neck.

You may also wish to limit the amount of time you spend in front of a computer or looking down at your phone, or look into an ergonomic desk set-up that has you looking directly forward at your computer screen, rather than down at it.

Surgical Solution for Sagging Jowls

If you have already developed sagging jowls, some minimally invasive surgical solutions can help eliminate them and restore any confidence you may have lost due to their development.

Facelift

A facelift is an excellent, highly effective way to eliminate any excess skin around your jawline, and to tighten skin’s appearance. At Egozi Plastic Surgery, a facelift is performed by making tiny incisions around and behind the ears, or at the temple. The underlying layer of facial muscle is then pulled in a vertical direction, and the skin is pulled in a diagonal direction, tightening the face. Liposuction or fat grafting may also be performed, and any excess skin is removed.

Neck Lift

A neck lift is very similar to a facelift procedure, but focuses specifically on the neck and jawline. A tiny incision is made behind each ear and under the chin during a neck lift. Fat is removed from the jawline and below the chin, and any excess skin is removed. This procedure can not only remove sagging jowls but also give you a tighter, more defined neck.

Liposuction

Liposuction can help reduce or eliminate sagging jowls by removing any excess fat around the jawline and neck. For the reduction of droopy jowls, you may wish to combine a liposuction procedure with a neck or facelift, to ensure any excess skin is removed following your liposuction procedure.

Non-Surgical Alternatives for Sagging Jowls

If you do not wish to undergo an outpatient procedure, or are unable to do so for any reason, there are some non-surgical options to help reduce your sagging jowls. It should be noted that, generally, non-surgical cosmetic procedures do not offer the same drastic results as surgical ones; however, these types of procedures will still make a noticeable, visible difference to the shape and contour of your face and jawline.

Dermal Filler

Dermal fillers, such as Botox and Juvederm, can help improve the tightness and youthfulness of your face. Botox relaxes the muscles on the jaw, which causes other muscles on the face to pull upwards, resulting in a tighter facial appearance. Fillers such as Juvederm can be injected into the cheeks to add fullness to the face, lifting the jowls.

Chin & Neck Exercise

Some chin and neck exercises may help strengthen the muscles on your face and neck, resulting in a tighter appearance. You can try chin curl-ups, which involve lying on the ground, then bringing your chin to your chest and lifting your head off the ground without lifting your chin, or by simply moving your mouth as though you are making vowel sounds, which exercises the muscles on the lower face. Chin-ups, which require you to jut out your chin and lift your lower lip, also activate your chin and neck muscles.

Makeup

Strategically applying makeup, such as using contouring techniques, can help mask your jowls when you are out in public.

Droopy Jowls Solutions at Egozi Plastic Surgery

At Egozi Plastic Surgery, our team will work closely with you to determine the right treatment approach for reducing or eliminating your droopy jowls, depending on your specific concerns and desired outcomes. Dr. Egozi has an eye for detail, and understands the importance of developing a personalized plan to help restore your self-confidence and boost your self-esteem. Contact the clinic to book your consultation today.

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