Jowls: Exercises, Causes, Treatment, And Prevention

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Medical News TodaySubscribeWhat are jowls and how to get rid of them

Medically reviewed by Megan Soliman, MD — Written by Jennifer Huizen — Updated on September 2, 2024

Causes
Exercises
Treatment
Prevention
Summary

Jowls are excess or saggy skin around the jaw, neck, and chin. They affect most people as they age and the skin becomes less elastic. Facial exercises, fillers, and laser therapy may help reduce them.

Several factors, including genetics, stress, repetitive facial habits, and lifestyle choices, can cause more pronounced jowls at almost any age.

In this article, learn about exercises and treatments to get rid of jowls, as well as how to help prevent them.

Causes of jowls

A woman moisturizing her face. — Catherine Falls Commercial/Getty Images

Though several factors are known to increase the likelihood and severity of jowls, their ultimate cause is aging.

As the skin ages, it starts to lose some of the compounds that help keep its shape, specifically fat and the connective tissue proteins elastin and collagen.

The skin also tends to become drier and thinner, making it more difficult to maintain its form. As the skin becomes less resilient and full, it becomes more vulnerable to gravity and slowly begins to sag.

Sagging skin around the cheeks and mouth falls to the area around the chin and jawline, creating jowls.

Risk factors for jowls include:

history of sunburn
excessive or chronic alcohol use
smoking
chronic or severe dehydration
chronic or severe stress
diets low in antioxidants, healthful fats, and other essential nutrients
habits or expressions that overuse the cheek, mouth, and jaw muscles, such as frowning, chewing gum, and talking on the cellphone for a long time
skin allergens, ranging from air pollution to cosmetics
improper skin hygiene
lack of exercise
cleansing the skin too aggressively
physical trauma or injury to the facial and jaw muscles and skin
a family history of jowls
extreme or rapid weight loss
severe or chronic illness

Exercises to lessen the appearance of jowls

Some research shows that facial exercises, and exercise in general, can help reduce the appearance and severity of jowls by making the facial, jaw, and neck muscles better able to hold their shape.

A 2021 review concluded that there is limited evidence that facial exercises can aid with facial rejuvenation. However, many studies had positive outcomes.

Exercise also significantly improves several factors that contribute to the overall health of the skin. This may help reduce the age of onset, severity, and appearance of jowls.

Any exercise that engages or stretches the facial muscles evenly without overusing them may help reduce jowls.

Most recommended exercises should be done one after another to ensure the facial muscles are worked evenly. People should hold each exercise for 5 to 20 seconds before releasing. Each exercise can be repeated 8 to 12 times, several times daily.

Common facial exercises that may help improve jowls include:

Yawning and opening the mouth as far as possible, then closing it very slowly without letting the teeth touch.
Puckering the lips outwards. This exercise works best when done lying down, and by using the fingers to draw the sides of the mouth downward.
Blowing the cheeks up as far as comfortable.
Chewing with the head tilted slightly up.
Grinning as widely as comfortable then slowly tilting the head up and down.
Putting the lower lip on the top lip and tilting the head up.
Lying down flat, curling the neck in toward the chest with the tongue pressing on the roof of the mouth.
Humming with the tongue pressed against the roof of the mouth.
Saying the sounds “o” followed by “e,” using more force than usual and exaggerating mouth movements.

Treatment for jowls

Jowls are usually harmless and do not require medical attention. But for some people, having severe or very noticeable jowls makes them feel uncomfortable, or causes them anxiety and lowers their self-confidence.

Medical treatment options for jowls are considered elective procedures or therapies, meaning most insurance companies do not cover them.

A dermatologist or plastic surgeon will usually perform jowl surgeries and procedures in a clinic or hospital setting.

Fillers

Fillers are compounds that are injected into the cheeks to fill in the places where fat has been lost from the skin. Lifting the cheeks also naturally lifts the skin around the jawline and corners of the mouth.

Compounds commonly used as fillers include:

hyaluronic acid
poly-l-lactic acid
polymethyl methacrylate
calcium hydroxylapatite
silicone

How long the effect of fillers lasts depends on the severity of the jowls, the structure of the face, the dosage of filler, and the number of injections given.

Many people find the results from facial fillers last anywhere between several months and several years.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved dermal fillers for individuals 22 years old and older.

Popular brand-name injectable facial fillers include:

Juvederm
Voluma
Restylane

Read about Botox vs. fillers.

Neck lift

During most neck lifts, a surgeon will make a cut along the side of the face and under the chin, then reposition and sculpt fat and tissues in the jaw and cheek. They will also cut away some excess skin and tighten some of the surrounding muscles.

Neck lifts are widely considered the most effective treatment for jowls, but the surgery has a long recovery time and carries the most significant risk of complications. The most common complications are scarring and infection.

Neck lifts are also very expensive compared to other treatment options for jowls.

Ultherapy

Ultherapy involves the use of ultrasound therapy to stimulate the long-term production of collagen in the deep layers of the skin. Research has shown that this form of therapy provides effective facial rejuvenation through the tightening and lifting of loose skin.

Ultherapy only requires one session, and people can usually return to their everyday activities immediately after the procedure. Most people notice a continual improvement in skin tightness and firmness several months after treatment.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy uses intense, radiating heat to stimulate the bundles of collagen and elastin fibers about 2 millimeters (mm) below the skin’s surface. This causes the bundles to recoil and the skin to tighten.

Radiotherapy also stimulates the production of collagen by tricking the body into thinking connective tissues have been damaged.

Many people need to repeat sessions a few times a year for maximum results.

A well-known brand name of radiotherapy for jowls is Pelleve.

Other treatments

Additional treatment options for jowls include:

laser therapy
chemical peels

Less invasive alternative therapies are becoming more commonly used to treat jowls, but most require more studies to determine whether they are effective.

Additional therapies that may help treat jowls include:

acupuncture and acupressure
facial or lymphatic massage
face building
face yoga

Preventing jowls

No one method can entirely prevent jowls, but some lifestyle choices can help reduce the severity or risk of early development.

Tips for preventing and reducing the severity of jowls include:

staying hydrated
wearing sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection
wearing protective clothing during periods of prolonged or intense sun exposure
using moisturizers
using creams and lotions high in antioxidants that promote the production of collagen, such as retinol (a type of vitamin A), vitamin C, and vitamin E
avoiding habits and expressions that cause the jaw and cheek muscles to face downward, especially chewing gum, frowning, and using the computer for a long time
eating a healthful diet
exercising regularly
not smoking
sleeping on the back instead of the side or stomach
doing facial exercises that promote flexible muscles in the entire face

»MORE:Get a skin condition evaluation in as little as 15 minutes with Optum Now Online Care.

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Summary

Almost everyone eventually gets jowls, but several factors can contribute to their development. Factors include damage, poor diet, repetitive facial motions, and sudden weight loss.

While jowls are harmless, some people may feel uncomfortable about how they look. Many medical options exist to treat them, including neck lifts, injectable fillers, and radiotherapy.

Less invasive alternatives are becoming more popular, as well. These include acupuncture, facial massage, and facial yoga. Regularly performing facial exercises may also help reduce the appearance and severity of jowls.

Dermatology
Seniors / Aging

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Dermal Fillers. (n.d.).https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/dermal-fillers
Dermal filler do's and don'ts for wrinkles, lips and more. (2023).https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/dermal-filler-dos-and-donts-wrinkles-lips-and-more
Khan U, et al. (2021). A systematic review of the clinical efficacy of micro-focused ultrasound treatment for skin rejuvenation and tightening.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8722640/
What causes our skin to age? (n.d.).https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/anti-aging-skin-care/causes-of-aging-skin
What is a neck lift? (n.d.).https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/neck-lift
Won Lim H. (2021). Effects of Facial Exercise for Facial Muscle Strengthening and Rejuvenation: Systematic Review.http://www.kptjournal.org/journal/view.html?uid=1570&&vmd=Full

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Medically reviewed by Megan Soliman, MD — Written by Jennifer Huizen — Updated on September 2, 2024

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Causes of jowls

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Neck lift

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