Sagging Jowls: Causes & Best Treatments in 2025

Many adults are becoming increasingly worried about sagging jowls. These changes worsen the definition of the facial contour and give a looser, droopier impression of the jawline. As a medical aesthetician, it is critical to know the causes of jowls and their treatment. But this guide is for patients too—if you have ever been concerned about a less defined jawline than what you remember, keep reading.

Let’s break it all down in simple terms.

What Are Sagging Jowls?

Sagging jowls is a common sign of aging. They are formed when the skin that is situated just beneath the chin and the jawline begins to sag. The jowl is an area between the lower cheeks and the chin. With time, the skin on this region becomes thinner and damaged. It, along with other significant proteins such as collagen and elastin, which serve to tighten and firm up the skin, will render it droopy. Thus, the skin will sag.

Gravity is also a major factor. Over the years, it will slowly drag skin downwards. This will lead to a loss of shape in the jawline as well as definition. Some People may notice soft bulges or folds just above the lower section of the face. Even with the other parts of the face looking youthful, these transformations can create an older appearance.

Other elements, including fat reduction, changes in bone structure, and sun exposure, can progress the facial aging process. Even some physical habits, such as facial actions and physical behaviors, such as predominantly using one side when sleeping or chewing, can influence the onset of jowls. Also contributes to the jowls tendency.

Jowls tend to sag without causing an ache but may intervene in one’s perception of oneself. This procedure is one of the most common surgical treatments to help remove the impression of tiredness and restore youthful contours.

What Causes Sagging Jowls?

The development of jowls is a gradual process. It typically results from a combination of factors working together. Some of the factors are associated with growing older, while other factors have to do with one’s lifestyle. In this case, we will review the factors that are bound to make your jawline loose or sag.

1. Ageing And Skin Laxity

Over time, the skin begins to age and requires heightened assistance from supplements. This is because the dermis thins out due to lesser collagen and elastin production—vital components of skin protein preservatives. Elastin and collagen breakage results in gravity losing its fight somewhere around the lower face. To give you a clearer understanding, skin laxity is the pulled-down outer epidermis of the skin, which hangs loosely and seems to be soft.

2. Fat Redistribution

I’ll give you an example! Noticeable pads of fat begin shifting position as age increases. Over time, one can find a loss of volume in the cheeks and an increase around the chin and jawline. The aforementioned unbalanced change accentuates the jowls' prominence.

3. Bone Resorption

Now, if you’re thinking bones are immune, they are not. Mechanically, the bones also undergo drastic changes as well. One of the major shifts with age to the jawbone is the jawbone reducing quarter upon quarter, leading to a decrease in the serving support to the skin and an easier sagging process.

4. Lifestyle Factors

Too much sun, smoking, poor nutrition, and even stress can speed up skin aging. UV rays and smoke damage the skin from the inside out. Weight changes—gaining and then losing weight—can also stretch the skin and leave it saggy.

5. Genetics

Some people are simply more likely to get jowls because of their genes if your parents had early sagging, you might, too, even with a healthy lifestyle.

These causes often work together, making jowls a natural—but manageable—part of growing older.

Early Signs Of Sagging Jowls

Sagging jowls don’t appear all at once. The first signs are often small changes in the shape and feel of your lower face. You may not notice them at first—but over time, they become more visible.

1. Softer Jawline

One of the first signs is a less defined jawline. The sharp edge along your jaw may begin to look softer or blurred. You might also see the corners of your mouth starting to turn slightly downward.

2. Thin, Crepey Skin

The skin around your chin and jaw might start to feel thinner or look crinkled, like crepe paper. This is a sign that your skin is losing its strength and moisture.

3. A Slight Droop Under The Chin

You may spot a small bit of skin starting to hang below your jaw. It might look like the beginning of a double chin—even if your weight hasn’t changed.

4. Deeper Smile Lines

Folds extending from the side of your nose reaching your lips (nasolabial folds) may become more prominent and deep-set. This can result in a more fatigued and aged appearance of the entire face.

These possible changes may occur in the thirties or forties due to certain habits like smoking, prolonged sun exposure, or drastic weight fluctuations. Identifying these changes early enables you to pursue effective, gentle skin-tightening therapies and maintain a youthful jawline.

What Are The Best Non-Surgical Treatments For Sagging Jowls?

Thankfully, you don’t always need surgery. Today, many non-invasive or minimally invasive treatments work very well.

1. Skin Tightening Devices

These use heat or energy to boost collagen production.

Radiofrequency (RF): Heats deep layers of skin to improve tightness.
Ultrasound (HIFU): Targets specific layers for lifting without damaging the surface.

These tools are great for patients who want visible improvement without downtime.

2. Injectables

Dermal fillers for sagging jowls: These restore volume to areas like the cheeks and jaw, lifting the skin naturally.

Pro tip: Our Mid-Face Tightening and Lifting Mastery video course dives deep into techniques using these injectables.

Biostimulators: Products like Sculptra boost collagen over time, offering a subtle, long-lasting lift.
Botox for sagging jowls: Botox can be used to relax certain muscles in the neck (like the platysma), reducing downward pull.

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3. Threads

Thread lifts use dissolvable threads under the skin to lift and support tissue. They also stimulate collagen, giving you long-term firmness.

When Should You Consider Jowl Surgery?

Surgery may be the best option if:

The sagging is severe
Non-surgical methods no longer help.
The patient wants a dramatic and long-lasting result.

Facelift surgery or neck lift procedures are common. However, these come with higher costs and longer recovery times. Always advise patients on the pros and cons.

Best Practices For Aestheticians

When planning a treatment path:

Assess the patient’s skin quality, fat volume, and bone structure
Discuss lifestyle factors (e.g., smoking, sun exposure)
Set clear goals and manage expectations.
Use a mix of treatments—tightening, lifting, and volume restoration often work best together.

Education is key. Help your clients understand that sagging jowls are common—and treatable.

Final Thoughts

Sagging Jowls should not be considered a condition to be ashamed of as it is a part of the natural aging process. However, modern methods have made it easier to manage than it has ever been.

Be it the medical aesthetician or someone undergoing treatment for the very first time, careful attention to detail is the mark of good practice. Identify the root of the concern and the right methods, and consider the entire head as well as the skin to ensure wellness.

If you’re a practitioner wanting to upskill with the latest treatments for sagging jowls and more, take our Skin Tightening Training Masterclass or the Mid-Face Tightening Mastery Course.

FAQs

What do sagging jowls look like?

Folded or sagging skin beneath the jaw, a loose sheath of skin, sometimes contains wrinkles.

At what age do jowls develop?

Typically, it is in the 40s or 50s, though it depends on genetics and lifestyle factors.

Will losing weight eliminate jowls?

Not inevitably. It might help, but it could also worsen sagging in the skin if there is loose skin to begin with.

How do you tell if you’re getting jowls?

Aging gracefully is paying attention to a relaxed jawline and loosened skin around the lower cheeks.

What age does howling start?

Generally, it is during middle age, but some people may notice early signs sooner.

References

Medical News Today. Jowls: Causes and treatment. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320809. Published November 28, 2017. Accessed April 11, 2025.
Doctor Nyla. How to tighten sagging jowls. https://doctornyla.com/blog/how-to-tighten-sagging-jowls/. Accessed April 11, 2025.

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