How to Get Rid of Jowls Without Surgery: 5 Effective Ways

Jowls refer to the saggy or loose skin that sags along the jawline and chin area. As we age, the skin loses elasticity and collagen leading to excess skin drooping downwards. Jowls can make someone look older than they are and can negatively impact self-confidence. Thankfully, there are several effective ways to get rid of sagging jowls without resorting to surgery.

In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss what causes jowls to develop, provide 5 non-surgical treatment methods, overview minimally invasive procedures, outline surgical options, and offer prevention tips. Eliminate jowls proactively to restore a more youthful, defined facial contour.

Causes of Jowls

There are several factors that cause jowls to form, including:

Aging

As we get older, our skin produces less collagen and elastin - proteins that keep skin firm and elastic. This causes the skin to lose its ability to “bounce back”, leading to sagging along the jawline and neck. Jowls typically begin to form in our 40s and 50s.

Genetics

Some people are just genetically predisposed to developing jowls earlier or more severely than others. So if your parents or grandparents had pronounced jowls, you may as well.

Weight Fluctuations

Losing a significant amount of weight quickly can cause jowls due to excess or loose skin. Likewise, gaining weight rapidly stretches the skin, and it may not shrink back as tightly as before.

Sun Exposure

Years of sun exposure can degrade collagen and elastin over time. And studies show UV radiation directly correlates with accelerated skin aging. Always wear SPF 30 or higher when spending time outdoors.

Lifestyle Factors

Smoking, alcohol consumption, poor diet, and lack of skincare can also contribute to jowls forming earlier. Make healthy lifestyle choices to keep your skin looking taut for longer.

5 Effective Ways to Get Rid of Jowls Without Surgery

Before considering invasive jowl treatments, try these 5 non-surgical methods first:

1. Light Therapy Massager

A revolutionary device that leverages the power of targeted massage and LED light therapy to lift, tighten and rejuvenate the skin.

The Kilari Light Therapy Contouring Lift Massager delivers a deep tissue massage to the neck and entire face area while emitting therapeutic wavelengths of light that have been clinically shown to boost collagen, improve facial symmetry, reduce wrinkles, treat acne and more.

The massager features three light settings:

• Red Light: Boosts collagen production and helps reduce inflammation.
• Blue Light: Eliminates acne-causing bacteria.
• Green Light: Reduces hyperpigmentation, calms redness and soothes irritation.

Using the massager for just 5-10 minutes a day visibly tightens saggy areas like the jowls and jawline. The effects improve with consistent use over 2 weeks.

2. Facial Exercises

Performing facial exercises is an effective way to tone, strengthen and lift the 50+ muscles in your face and neck. As we age, these muscles weaken, causing skin to sag.

Dedicate 5 minutes twice a day to complete repetitions of targeted exercises like:

• Jawline Lifts: Open mouth wide, relax and lift lower lip towards ceiling. Repeat 10 times.
• Chin Raises: Push lower lip out, press tip of chin down firmly then lift head towards ceiling. Repeat 10 times.
• Cheek Lifts: Smile widely, then use fingers to lift cheek muscles up towards eyes. Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 5 times.

Keep good posture during the movements, and do not over stretch the skin. Done consistently, these exercises can strengthen muscles and stimulate collagen production for a more defined, contoured appearance.

3. Targeted Skincare Routine

Using targeted skincare products can also help minimize jowls. Focus on serums, creams and treatments containing ingredients clinically shown to:

• Boost Collagen - Peptides, retinoids, vitamin C
• Hydrate Skin - Hyaluronic acid, ceramides
• Protect from Damage - Antioxidants like resveratrol

Apply products designed to specifically address sagging skin and loss of elasticity. Use lightweight lotions and creams that absorb well without dragging down the skin.

Being consistent with your regimen is key - invest in high quality anti-aging skincare before signs of aging develop to help prevent and minimize jowls down the road.

4. Facial Massage Techniques

Massaging the skin can help tone muscles, improve blood circulation and promote lymphatic drainage - leading to firmer skin.

It’s best to use facial massage tools to perform the techniques:

• Jade roller - Cool stone glides over skin to decompress tissues. Use outward motions from center of the face towards the jawline. Repeat daily.
• Gua sha - Warmed obsidian stone massages problem areas like jowls. Apply serum first. Use short, firm strokes outwards from chin to jaw.

Perform facial massage after applying skincare products so they fully absorb while stimulating the skin. Over time, increased blood flow will nourish skin cells leading to less sagging.

5. Healthy Lifestyle

Leading an overall balanced, healthy lifestyle can prevent jowls from worsening and appearing prematurely:

• Stay hydrated by drinking at least 64 oz water daily
• Maintain a stable weight through clean eating and regular exercise
• Eat collagen-boosting foods like bone broth, citrus fruits, beans, fish and avocados
• Apply a broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen to face whenever going outside
• Sleep at least 7 hours nightly to allow skin regeneration
• Avoid habits like smoking cigarettes that degrade collagen

Making better lifestyle choices will directly improve skin health from the inside out - keeping your complexion resilient against sagging and wrinkles.

Minimally Invasive Sagging Jowl Procedures

If you find that non-surgical options are not lifting and tightening your jowls adequately, there are effective less invasive treatments performed by dermatologists and plastic surgeons such as:

Dermal Fillers

Injectables like Juvederm Voluma and Radiesse add subtle volume along the jawline and chin area. This helps lift up jowls and restore a more youthful contour. Results last around 12-18 months. Minimal downtime with temporary swelling, bruising at injection sites.

Ultherapy

FDA-cleared procedure uses focused ultrasound energy to stimulate deep collagen production in the skin for lifting and tightening effects. Seen as a non-surgical facelift with no downtime. Requires 1 treatment lasting up to 90 minutes. Gradual improvements over 2-3 months.

Radiofrequency Treatments

Devices like Thermage and Pelleve use radiofrequency energy to deeply heat skin tissue, stimulating new collagen growth to firm and tighten loose, sagging areas. Requires multiple 20-30 minutes session every 1-2 months. Mild redness possible after each appointment.

Thread Lifts

Dissolvable suture threads inserted under the skin to lift sagging tissues, anchor them in place and stimulate new collagen. The PDO thread lift takes about an hour with only mild swelling and bruising after. Results last 1-2 years.

Surgical Jowl Treatment Options to Eliminate Jowls

For substantial improvement in significant, heavy jowling, there are more invasive surgical procedures performed by a plastic surgeon or facial cosmetic surgeon. These require anesthesia with extended recovery:

Facelift (Rhytidectomy)

The gold standard plastic surgery treatment that removes excess skin, tightens underlying facial muscles and re-drapes the skin for a lifted effect. Incisions made around the ears, hairline and neck with surgery taking 2-4 hours. Significant swelling and bruising lasts around 2 weeks. Results can last 7-10 years.

Neck Lift

Targets sagging skin specifically in the neck region, chin and jawline. Removes excess fat and skin, tightens platysma neck muscles and trims submental fat for defined contouring. Takes 2-3 hours under anesthesia. 1 week off work for recovery. Results last up to 10 years.

Liposuction

Surgically removes excess fat deposits under the chin and along the jawline using small cannulas through tiny incisions. General anesthesia is administered with typical recovery taking 10-14 days. When combined with another procedure, liposuction can better define the overall jawline. Submental liposuction lasts around 1 year.

Preventing Jowls

While aging is inevitable, you can take proactive measures to delay and minimize jowls and sagging skin:

• Wear SPF 30+ sunscreen on your face daily
• Maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle
• Stay hydrated and moisturize skin daily
• Avoid extreme weight fluctuations
• Don’t smoke or drink excess alcohol
• Incorporate anti-aging skincare products by your late 20s/early 30s
• Consider subtle dermal fillers or ultherapy in your 30s-40s
• Get periodic skin exams and facial massages including botox

Being proactive helps keep your skin healthy, firm and resilient against gravity’s effects for as long as possible. Catching early changes promptly can help you address jowls more easily.

Conclusion

Jowls can form gradually over time due to natural aging, genetics, weight changes, sun damage and lifestyle factors that degrade collagen. Thankfully, there are more options than ever to address jowls and tighten a sagging jawline non-surgically.

We recommend you try the Kilari Light Therapy Contouring Lift Massager before going for a surgical option.

Consult an experienced dermatologist or facial plastic surgeon to determine the best treatment plan tailored to your individual degree of jowls and skin laxity.