As a person ages, the body starts to change and some of the visible changes include an expanding waistline and loss of hair on the scalp. In addition, many people start to see the appearance of jowls which is skin that starts to sag under the jawline. A proven method of trying to reverse the appearance of jowls in the past has been a facelift which is an invasive surgical procedure. During a facelift, the surgeon lifts the underlying muscles to provide a rejuvenated look to the facial structure while also removing any excess fat and skin. This treatment eliminates the saggy look that can come from the formation of jowls. Patients who want to eliminate jowls without the need for an invasive surgical procedure do have some options as shown in this informative article.
In addition to adding volume to the cheeks and lips, dermal fillers can also help to minimize the appearance of jowls. The doctor will inject the needed amount of filler around the cheekbones so the skin in the lower part of the face will be lifted. There is not any real downtime after the filler is injected and the actual treatment can take anywhere from fifteen minutes to a half hour in length. Patients do need to avoid performing any type of strenuous activity for the first day or two after the treatment in order to lessen the chances of any bruising or swelling after the injection. It should be noted that dermal fillers are not a permanent solution so a person will need to have a follow-up treatment to maintain the results. The length of the results depends on the amount of filler injected by the doctor and the results can last anywhere from six months to two years.
Patients who do not want to have fillers injected into the body have another option with procedures that tighten the skin such as Ultherapy. Skin tightening treatment devices use ultrasound energy to promote the production of collagen. In turn, the production of collagen tightens the skin in the targeted area of the body which also works to improve the appearance of mild to moderate jowls. Skin tightening procedures are a safe option for all skin types and there is no downtime necessary after the treatment, The final results are not as dramatic as the results provided by a facelift. In general, the results can last about a year after a procedure is performed to tighten the skin.
Let’s take a look at some additional information about nonsurgical jowls treatments from Cosmetic Town TV:
After discovering the type of results that come from non-invasive options such as dermal fillers and skin tightening, a patient might decide to go with an invasive option such as a facelift in order to gain results that last longer. Since there are multiple facelift options available to patients, it is important to consult with a surgeon to determine the facelift technique that will deliver the desired results.
One of the best choices is a mini facelift as it addresses loose skin on the face as well as other signs of aging in the middle of the face. This area includes the section of the face between the corners of the eyes and the corners of mouth (as well as the jowls). During a mini facelift, the surgeon will start by making an incision that is placed in front of the ear. The surgeon will then remove any excess skin until the remaining skin is able to be repositioned flat on the face.
There are some people who refer to a mini facelift as a “short scar facelift” because it results in a shorter scar located in front of the ear than the scar that results from a regular facelift. In addition, the patient will experience some pain on a temporary basis, but this can be managed by pain medication that is prescribed by the surgeon.
The decision to make changes to the appearance of the jowls can sometimes be confusing because there are multiple options for the patient to consider. It is important to meet with a plastic surgeon who can examine both the health of the patient and determine the current condition of the jowls.
The doctor will be able to share both surgical and nonsurgical options so the patient will have a better idea about the various options available to them. In addition, the plastic surgeon can explain the pros and cons of each treatment including the extent and length of the results. Some patients might decide they want to undergo a surgical procedure to address the appearance of the jowls while others might decide they want to go ahead and have a nonsurgical treatment even though the final results might not be permanent in appearance.
- MA