Key Takeaways
- Excess facial skin, particularly along the jawline, is a common concern linked to aging, genetics, loss of collagen and elastin, and gravity.
- Natural methods to reduce excess skin include facial exercises, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, a proper skincare routine, posture awareness, and using facial massage tools.
- Non-surgical treatments such as dermal volumisers can add volume and definition to the jawline and cheeks, providing a lifted effect without invasive procedures.
- Surgical options like facelift and neck lift surgeries can remove excess skin and tighten underlying muscles for more dramatic and long-lasting results.
- Consultation with a qualified medical professional is essential to determine the most suitable treatment options based on individual needs and desired outcomes.
Excess facial skin is a common concern for many people. Skin laxity along the jaw can be caused by a combination of factors, including genetics, loss of collagen and elastin in the skin, and gravity. Fortunately, there are several non-invasive and minimally invasive treatments available to help address this issue. From facial exercises to cosmetic procedures like face lift surgery and neck treatment, there are a variety of options to help tighten the skin and reduce excess skin. It’s important to consult with a qualified medical professional to determine which treatment option is best suited for your individual needs and goals.
What is Jawline Laxity?
Jawline laxity is a facial feature that many people associate with ageing. They refer to the excess skin and fat that sits below the jawline and along the sides of the face. Excess skin can hang or feel heavy in your lower face, which can be a source of concern for many individuals. Almost everyone develops excess skin as they age. It happens because your skin becomes thinner and less elastic over time.
What Causes Excess Skin?
Excess skis is caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, loss of skin elasticity, and gravity. As we age, our skin loses collagen and elastin, which can result in the excess and hanging of the skin around the face.
Elastin is a protein that supports the elasticity of the skin under the chin and cheeks. Additionally, factors such as sun damage, smoking, and weight fluctuations can contribute to skin laxity.
Some people may never experience excess jawline skin formation. This could be due to their genes, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices. Below we mentioned some of the factors that can cause the formation.
| Causes | Explanation |
| Aging | Natural aging process leads to loss of skin elasticity. |
| Genetics | Genetic factors can contribute to skin laxity and jowl formation. |
| Loss of skin elasticity | Sun exposure, smoking, and poor skincare habits can diminish skin’s elasticity. |
| Weight fluctuations | Significant weight gain or loss can affect skin’s ability to bounce back. |
| Hormonal changes | Hormonal shifts, particularly during menopause, can affect skin structure and contribute to jowl development. |
| Facial expressions and muscle movement | Repetitive facial movements can break down collagen and elastin, leading to excess skin. |
| Gravity | Over time, gravity pulls down on facial tissues, contributing to excess skin. |
How to Reduce Excess Skin Naturally?
Reducing excess skin naturally is a common goal for those seeking non-invasive. While natural methods may not provide the same results as surgical or medical treatments, they can still contribute to a more toned and lifted look. Here are a few tips to help excess facial skim naturally:
| Tips | Explanation |
| Facial Exercises | Perform targeted exercises to strengthen facial muscles, focusing on the jawline and cheek area. |
| Healthy Lifestyle | Maintain a balanced diet, proper hydration, and protect your skin from the sun for overall skin health. |
| Skincare Routine | Follow a skincare routine that includes cleansing, moisturising, and using collagen-promoting products. |
| Posture Awareness | Improve your posture by keeping your head up, shoulders back, and neck elongated for enhanced contours. |
| Massage and Facial Tools | Utilise facial massage techniques and tools like gua sha or jade rollers to improve circulation and drainage. |
Remember, natural methods may require consistency and time to see noticeable results. For more significant changes, consulting with a professional can provide additional treatment options.
Excess Facial Skin Treatment
When it comes to addressing excess skin, there are various treatment options available, ranging from non-surgical procedures to surgical interventions.
Excess skin or fat deposits beneath the facial tissue, which add extra bulk can be the main cause. By analyzing the underlying cause of your excess skin, your trusted healthcare professional can determine the most suitable treatment plan to effectively address the issue.
Good facelift results can reduce the excess skin in your lower face. Below we’ll discuss these options for reducing excess jawline skin and excess cheek skin.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
Dermal volumiser offer a non-surgical approach to address excess skin by increasing volume and the overall shape of the jawline. There are specific types of volumisers that can be used for different areas:
Cheek Volumiser
Cheek volumisers, such as hyaluronic acid-based fillers, can be strategically injected to add volume and lift to the cheeks. By adding volume to the cheek area, it can create a visually lifted effect, reducing the appearance of excess skin.
Jaw Volumiser
Jaw volumiser can help to redefine the jawline and provide definition, which can reduce the appearance of excess or hanging skin under the jawline. The volumisers are injected along the jawline to add volume to its structure, resulting in a more defined jawline.
Volumiser Treatment
Injections can be directly targeted towards the jaw area. The volumiser is carefully injected to increase volume and firmness, giving a lifted effect and increasing the overall tightness of the lower face.
Voumiser treatments for your jawline are minimally invasive, and the results can be seen immediately. However, it’s essential to consult with a skilled medical professional who can assess your specific needs and recommend the most suitable approach to achieve optimal results.
Lower Face Surgery
For individuals seeking more dramatic and long-lasting results, surgical interventions can provide a solution. Lower face surgery can treat the skin around the lower half of the face by removing excess skin and tightening underlying muscles. It requires an incision running from the hair in the temple, down in front of the ear, and then behind the ear, and into the hair behind the ear. It is performed under general anaesthesia. Facelift surgery doesn’t prevent ageing but can set your facial skin into a more lifted position.
Here are a few surgical treatments commonly used:
Facelift
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that involves lifting and tightening the skin and underlying tissues of the face and neck. It can address excess jawline skin.
Neck Lift
A neck lift specifically targets the skin and excess fat beneath the chin and along the neck. Therefore, this procedure can provide more definition in the neck and jawline.
Facelift and neck lift are complimentary procedures, Dr Doyle always performs these surgeries together.
Facial Fat Transfer
Facial fat grafting involves transferring fat from one part of the body (typically harvested through liposuction) and injecting it into the face to increase volume.
In the context of the jawline, fat transfer can be utilised to add volume to areas with depressions, including the cheeks and the jawline. By carefully injecting the transferred fat into targeted regions, the appearance of excess skin can be reduced providing a more lifted facial appearance.
Dr Doyle’s Recommendation
One of the best treatments for excess neck and jawline skin is a facelift. But you may consider exploring non-surgical options first. This is because not everyone will qualify for plastic surgery or want it done right away.
You’ll need to consult with a surgeon before making a decision about which procedure is right for you.
FAQs
Does a Neck Lift Help Skin Below the Jawline?
Yes, a neck lift surgery can help reduce excess skin sitting below your jaw. By removing excess skin and fat from the neck and jawline areas, a neck lift tightens skin under the chin. The procedure produces immediate and long-lasting results, with benefits including reduced lines and minimal scarring.
What to Consider for Surgical Treatment?
Drawbacks of neck lift surgery include a high price tag and risk of complications (as with any surgery). Patients who undergo the surgery can expect a reduction in excess skin. But, results are not guaranteed. When looking for treatment, you should always discuss your options with a specialist plastic surgeon who is well-versed in facial plastic surgery procedures.
What Is the Typical Recovery Time After Surgery?
After surgery, recovery time varies based on the procedure and individual factors. Generally, expect 1 to 2 weeks of swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort. Follow your surgeon’s instructions, use compression garments, take prescribed medications, and attend follow-up appointments for a smooth recovery
What Are the Treatment Options for Addressing Excess Face and Neck Skin?
If excess fat is the primary concern, chin and neck liposuction is a popular choice. Liposuction can remove excess fat deposits in the neck area. It is a relatively painless and fast procedure with little downtime. However, it’s important to note that liposuction alone cannot address excess skin. For older patients with reduced skin elasticity, a combination of liposuction and a mini neck lift may be recommended. This approach allows for the removal of both excess fat and hanging skin under the neck. Additionally, consulting with a qualified plastic surgeon will help determine the most suitable treatment option based on individual needs and desired outcomes.
Book a Consultation
Book a consultation with Dr Mark Doyle, a Specialist Plastic Surgeon. He can help you find the best solution for you to reduce the appearance of excess skin.
Medical References
- The Aesthetic Jaw Line: Management of The Aging Jowl
About Dr Mark Doyle FRACS (Plas) – Queensland Plastic Surgeon
Servicing patients in Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Cairns and New South Wales NSW – Northern Rivers, Byron Bay, Ballina, Lismore and more.
Dr Mark Doyle is a fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon with over 30 years of experience performing breast, body, face and nose surgery. He has completed all required training and only carries out approved surgical practices. There are NO undertrained doctors or cosmetic doctors acting as surgeons at Gold Coast Plastic Surgery.
