How to Prevent (and Lessen the Appearance of) Skin Jowls

Jowls, or drooping skin along the jawline, are a part of the aging process. They typically appear in one’s forties, though everyone ages differently, says Kenneth Mark, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in private practice in New York City.

You probably won't be able to avoid jowls entirely, but it may be possible to minimize sagging with the right approach.

“Jowls typically develop along the jawline, just below the corners of the mouth, between the chin and the angle of the jaw,” says Kseniya Kobets, MD, the director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care Dermatology in Elmsford, New York.

Dr. Kobets says other factors can contribute to jowl formation, including:

• Sun damage
• Rapid weight loss
• Facial structure (people with less prominent cheekbones, thinner cheek fat pads, or a less-defined jawline tend to develop jowls more easily)
• Genetics

Can you prevent jowls? Maybe. Because jowls show up as a result of the body’s natural aging process, it’s unrealistic to think you can avoid them entirely. “We can often significantly improve the appearance of jowls, but fully erasing them is rarely achievable without surgery, particularly later in the aging process,” Kobets says.

Certain healthy lifestyle habits can delay their onset and reduce the appearance of jowls when they do appear.

1. Sun Protection

2. Weight Maintenance

3. Nutrient-Dense Diet

• Protein Protein provides the building blocks of collagen, Kobets says. Healthy protein sources include lean meats like chicken and turkey, nuts and seeds, fish, dairy and soy products, and beans.

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• Vitamin C Antioxidants like vitamin C support your body’s production of collagen. Berries, citrus fruits, leafy greens, and bell peppers are all good sources.

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• Omega-3 Fatty Acids Omega-3 fatty acids are an essential fat found in almonds, chia seeds, salmon, and trout. They help regulate inflammation and support the skin barrier, Kobets says.
• Vitamin E This fat-soluble vitamin is found in fruits, vegetables, and nuts, seeds and may help promote skin suppleness and protect against wrinkles.

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That said, don’t expect dramatic results from diet alone. “Diet can support skin health, but it’s not a primary driver of structural change,” Kobets says.

4. Microneedling and Energy-Based Devices

Microneedling, ideally, is done as a preventive treatment, Mark says. “We recommend a series of three initially and then maintenance sessions, ideally every three months indefinitely,” he adds.

“Anyone looking for prevention is a candidate for microneedling, as well as someone who wants to avoid the downtime, expense, and risks of invasive surgery,” Mark says.

Like microneedling, energy-based treatments are best used before jowls become significantly noticeable, he adds.

5. Dermal Fillers

6. Surgery

A facelift (rhytidectomy) is an invasive treatment, but the most effective way to treat skin jowls. “When one's jowling is more severe, meaning there is visible loss of jawline definition, then surgery becomes the most reliable option,” says Krishna Vyas, MD, PhD, a plastic surgeon with Blechman Plastic Surgery in New York City.