Non-surgical treatment for prominent jowls, sagging jawline and lower-face laxity
At Skin and Scar Care Clinic, we offer medical-grade treatments for prominent jowls, jawline skin laxity, lower-face sagging, loose neck skin and loss of facial definition.
Jowls can make the lower face look heavy, tired or less defined. They often develop gradually with ageing, but can also become more noticeable after weight loss, menopause, collagen loss or changes in facial volume.
Our treatment options may include:
- Endolift® for jawline tightening, jowls and lower-face contouring
- HIFU in selected cases for mild skin tightening
- CO₂ laser for wrinkles, crepey skin and skin-quality improvement
- Erbium Glass laser for collagen stimulation and texture
- Bio Remodelling / Bio Stimulator / Bio Remodelling / Bio Stimulator Structura for skin quality and tissue support
- CaHA or PLLA biostimulators in selected cases
- Dermal filler for structural support where appropriate
- Anti-wrinkle injections for platysma bands or muscle-related lower-face pull in selected clients
- Surgical referral where non-surgical treatment is not suitable
Our aim is to improve jawline definition and skin quality while keeping results natural and realistic.
What are jowls?
Jowls are the sagging folds or soft tissue that appear along the lower cheeks and jawline.
They may appear as:
- Loss of jawline sharpness
- Sagging at the corners of the jaw
- Heaviness around the lower face
- Loose skin beside the chin
- Softening of the mandibular border
- Marionette-area heaviness
- Neck and jawline laxity
- A less defined side profile
Jowls can be mild, moderate or severe. The best treatment depends on whether the concern is caused mainly by skin laxity, fat, facial descent, volume loss, muscle pull or bone support changes.
Why do jowls and jawline laxity happen?
1. Ageing and collagen loss
As we age, the skin loses collagen and elastin. This reduces firmness and makes the skin less able to hold its shape.
The lower face is particularly affected because gravity, facial movement and loss of support gradually allow the tissues to descend.
2. Loss of facial volume and support
The cheeks, temples and midface provide important support to the lower face. When volume is lost in these areas, the lower face can look heavier.
This can contribute to:
- Jowls
- Nasolabial folds
- Marionette lines
- Jawline softening
- Hollow cheeks
- Loose lower-face skin
3. Weight loss
Significant weight loss, including weight loss related to Mounjaro®, Ozempic® or other GLP-1 treatments, can reduce facial fat and support. This can leave loose skin around the cheeks, jawline and neck.
4. Menopause and hormonal changes
Reduced oestrogen can accelerate collagen loss, skin thinning and loss of elasticity. This may make jowls and jawline laxity more noticeable.
5. Sun damage and photoageing
UV exposure damages collagen and elastin. This can cause wrinkles, crepey skin, pigmentation and reduced skin firmness.
6. Genetics and facial anatomy
Some people naturally develop jowls earlier due to facial structure, jaw shape, skin quality or inherited collagen patterns.
7. Lower-face muscle pull
Muscles such as the platysma and depressor muscles can pull the lower face downwards. In selected cases, anti-wrinkle injections may help soften this downward pull.
8. Skin laxity and excess fat
Some clients have a combination of loose skin and small pockets of soft fat around the jowl and jawline area. In these cases, Endolift® may be particularly useful.
Why assessment is important
Jowls are not all the same. Treating the wrong cause can give poor or disappointing results.
At Skin and Scar Care Clinic, we assess:
- Degree of jowl heaviness
- Skin laxity
- Lower-face fat
- Neck laxity
- Jawline definition
- Chin support
- Midface volume loss
- Skin quality and wrinkles
- Weight-loss history
- Previous filler or treatments
- Facial symmetry
- Suitability for Endolift®, HIFU, laser, injectables or surgery
The goal is to treat the correct layer: internal tightening, fat contouring, skin resurfacing, collagen stimulation, volume support or muscle balance.
Endolift® for jowls and jawline laxity
Our main treatment for lower-face tightening and contouring
Endolift® is one of our key treatments for prominent jowls, jawline laxity and lower-face contouring.
It is a minimally invasive laser treatment that works beneath the skin using a very fine fibre. The laser energy is delivered internally to stimulate tissue contraction, collagen remodelling and selected fat reduction.
Endolift® may help improve:
- Prominent jowls
- Sagging jawline
- Lower-face laxity
- Mild to moderate soft fat around the jowls
- Submental fullness
- Neck laxity
- Skin tightening
- Jawline definition
- Facial contour
- Post-weight-loss lower-face sagging
Endolift® is particularly useful when there is mild to moderate laxity with soft tissue heaviness around the lower face and neck.
How Endolift® works
Endolift® works from the inside out. A fine laser fibre is placed under the skin to deliver controlled laser energy.
This can help:
- Contract the tissue internally
- Stimulate collagen production
- Improve skin firmness
- Reduce selected superficial fat
- Improve lower-face contour
- Tighten the jawline and neck area
The treatment is usually performed under local anaesthetic and does not involve surgical skin excision.
What to expect with Endolift®
The procedure is usually performed in clinic under local anaesthetic.
After treatment, you may experience:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Tenderness
- Tightness
- Temporary numbness
- Firmness or small areas of lumpiness
- Mild discomfort
Most clients return to normal daily activities quickly, although swelling and bruising can vary.
Results are gradual. Some early tightening may be noticed within weeks, but the main result usually develops over 3–6 months as collagen remodelling continues.
What Endolift® cannot do
Endolift® is not a surgical facelift or neck lift.
It cannot:
- Remove large amounts of excess skin
- Replace surgical skin excision
- Correct severe jowls
- Lift heavy facial tissues to the same level as surgery
- Guarantee perfect symmetry
- Fully correct advanced neck laxity
- Replace weight-loss or surgical body/facial contouring where required
For severe jowls or significant excess skin, surgical facelift or neck-lift assessment may be more appropriate.
HIFU for jawline laxity in selected cases
HIFU, or high-intensity focused ultrasound, is a non-invasive energy-based treatment used to stimulate collagen and support mild skin tightening.
It may be suitable for selected clients with:
- Mild jawline laxity
- Early jowls
- Mild lower-face softness
- Good skin quality
- Minimal fat excess
- Preference for a non-invasive approach
- Realistic expectations
- HIFU can help stimulate deeper collagen contraction without needles or fibre insertion.
When HIFU may be useful
HIFU may be considered when jowls are mild and the main issue is early skin laxity rather than significant fat, heaviness or excess skin.
It may help improve:
- Mild jawline definition
- Early lower-face laxity
- Mild cheek descent
- Subtle facial tightening
- Early ageing changes
HIFU is usually less suitable when there is significant jowl fat, heavy tissue, severe laxity or very thin faces where further volume loss is a concern.
HIFU versus Endolift®
Both treatments can stimulate collagen, but they work differently.
HIFU is non-invasive and works from outside the skin using focused ultrasound energy. It is generally more suitable for early, mild laxity.
Endolift® works internally under the skin and is often more suitable for more visible jowls, lower-face heaviness, soft fat and jawline laxity.
In many clients, Endolift® offers a stronger contouring approach, while HIFU is reserved for carefully selected mild cases.
CO₂ laser for wrinkles and skin quality
Improving wrinkles, crepey skin and surface texture
CO₂ laser is a resurfacing treatment used to improve wrinkles, fine lines, crepey skin, sun damage and skin texture.
For jowls and jawline concerns, CO₂ laser does not replace lifting or internal tightening. However, it can be very useful when jawline laxity is combined with:
- Wrinkles
- Crepey skin
- Photoageing
- Fine lines
- Rough texture
- Lower-face skin thinning
- Perioral lines
- Neck wrinkles
- Poor skin quality after weight loss
CO₂ laser works by creating controlled resurfacing of the skin, stimulating collagen remodelling and improving skin texture.
CO₂ laser and jowls
CO₂ laser can improve the surface quality of the skin over the lower face and neck. It may help the skin look smoother, tighter and more refined.
It is often used:
- After Endolift® as a finishing treatment
- At the same time as Endolift® in selected cases
- For wrinkles around the mouth, chin and lower face
- For crepey neck skin
- For photoaged skin
CO₂ laser is particularly helpful when the jawline concern is not only sagging, but also wrinkled or crepey skin.
What to expect with CO₂ laser
CO₂ laser involves downtime.
You may experience:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Warmth
- Crusting
- Dryness
- Peeling
- Tightness
- Temporary sensitivity
- Pigmentation change in some cases
- Healing time depends on treatment intensity, skin type and area treated.
- Strict aftercare and SPF are essential.
Erbium Glass laser for gradual collagen stimulation
Erbium Glass 1550 nm laser is a non-ablative fractional laser treatment that stimulates collagen below the surface with less downtime than CO₂ laser.
It may help improve:
- Fine lines
- Texture
- Mild laxity
- Pores
- Skin quality
- Early photoageing
- Collagen support
- Crepey lower-face skin
A course of 3–4 sessions, usually around 4 weeks apart, may be recommended.
Erbium Glass laser may be used before or after Endolift® to build skin quality gradually.
Bio Remodelling / Bio Stimulator, Bio Remodelling / Bio Stimulator Structura and bioremodelling injections
Bioremodelling injections can help improve hydration, elasticity and skin quality.
They may be useful where jawline laxity is associated with:
- Thin skin
- Crepey skin
- Loss of elasticity
- Weight-loss related skin changes
- Early collagen loss
- Hollow cheeks contributing to lower-face heaviness
Bio Remodelling / Bio Stimulator may be used for skin hydration and elasticity.
Bio Remodelling / Bio Stimulator Structura may be used where facial hollowing and loss of soft tissue support are contributing to sagging.
These treatments do not replace Endolift®, HIFU, CO₂ laser or surgery, but may improve skin quality as part of a combination plan.
Biostimulators for lower-face support
In selected cases, biostimulatory injectables such as CaHA or PLLA may be considered to improve collagen stimulation and structural support.
They may help with:
- Mild lower-face laxity
- Loss of facial support
- Skin quality
- Collagen depletion
- Weight-loss related facial changes
- Early jowling linked to volume loss
Biostimulators work gradually and are not usually the first choice if the main issue is heavy jowls or significant loose skin.
Careful patient selection is essential.
Dermal filler for jawline and chin support
Dermal filler may be useful when jawline laxity is worsened by lack of structural support.
It may help improve:
- Chin projection
- Pre-jowl hollowing
However, filler is not appropriate for every jowl concern. Adding filler to an already heavy lower face can sometimes make the face look wider or heavier and add more weight to already heavy jowls resulting in worsening of condition.
A conservative, anatomy-led approach is essential.
Other evidence-based and supportive treatments
Medical-grade skincare
Skincare can support skin quality but cannot lift jowls on its own.
A good plan may include:
- SPF 50
- Retinoids where suitable
- Vitamin C
- Peptides
- Barrier repair
- Pigment control if needed
- Weight stability and lifestyle
If weight is actively changing, it may be better to delay definitive tightening treatments until weight is more stable.
Skin quality may also be supported by:
- Protein intake
- Hydration
- Resistance exercise
- Sun protection
- Smoking cessation
- Good sleep
- Managing menopause-related skin changes where appropriate
Surgical facelift or neck lift
Surgery may be the most effective option for severe jowls, heavy skin redundancy or advanced facial descent.
If non-surgical treatment is unlikely to meet your goals, we will advise surgical referral.
Combination treatment for jowls and jawline laxity
Jowls often need a combination approach.
Mild early jowls
Possible treatments:
- HIFU in selected cases
- Bio Remodelling / Bio Stimulator
- Erbium Glass laser
- Medical skincare
- Anti-wrinkle injections where muscle pull is present
Moderate jowls with soft tissue heaviness
Possible treatments:
- Endolift® lower face and neck
- CO₂ laser for wrinkles and skin texture
- Bio Remodelling / Bio Stimulator or bioremodelling injections
- Chin or jawline support if needed
Jowls after weight loss
Possible treatments:
- Endolift®
- CO₂ laser
- Erbium Glass laser
- Bio Remodelling / Bio Stimulator Structura where hollowing contributes
- Biostimulators in selected cases
- Surgical referral if laxity is severe
Jowls with wrinkles and crepey skin
Possible treatments:
- Endolift® for internal tightening
- CO₂ laser for external resurfacing
- Hydrobooster or Bio Remodelling / Bio Stimulator for hydration and elasticity
- Erbium Glass laser for collagen stimulation
Severe jowls or excess skin
Possible treatments:
- Surgical facelift or neck-lift assessment
- Non-surgical treatments only as supportive care if surgery is not desired
Treatment timeline
Consultation
We assess skin laxity, jowl severity, jawline definition, neck laxity, wrinkles, facial support and suitability for each treatment.
Endolift®
- Early swelling and bruising: days to weeks
- Early tightening: 4–8 weeks
- Collagen remodelling: 3–6 months
- Final result: usually assessed at 3–6 months
HIFU
- Minimal downtime in most cases
- Tightening develops gradually
- Results usually assessed over 2–6 months
- Best for mild cases
CO₂ laser
- Downtime: several days depending on settings
- Redness and sensitivity: may last longer
- Early improvement: 2–6 weeks
- Collagen remodelling: 3–6 months
Erbium Glass laser
- Course: usually 3–4 sessions
- Spacing: around 4 weeks apart
- Downtime: usually mild
- Results: gradual collagen improvement over weeks to months
Bio Remodelling / Bio Stimulator / bioremodelling injections
- Course: usually 2 sessions
- Spacing: around 4 weeks apart
- Results: gradual skin-quality improvement
- Maintenance: individualised
Dermal filler or biostimulators
- Filler results: often immediate, settling around 2 weeks
- Biostimulator results: gradual over several months
- Maintenance: individualised
Suitable candidates
You may be suitable for non-surgical jowl or jawline treatment if you have:
- Mild to moderate jowls
- Jawline skin laxity
- Lower-face sagging
- Early loss of jawline definition
- Mild to moderate neck laxity
- Soft tissue heaviness around the jowls
- Crepey or wrinkled skin around the lower face
- Post-weight-loss lower-face laxity
- Realistic expectations
- Good general health
- Stable or near-stable weight
- Preference for non-surgical treatment
Who may not be suitable?
You may not be suitable for non-surgical treatment if you have:
- Severe jowls
- Significant excess skin
- Advanced facial descent
- Heavy neck laxity requiring surgery
- Very thin face with high volume-loss risk
- Active skin infection in the treatment area
- Uncontrolled medical conditions
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Recent surgery or laser treatment that has not healed
- Recent sun exposure or tanning before laser
- History of poor wound healing or keloid scarring
- Unrealistic expectations
- Need for a surgical-level facelift or neck lift result
- Ongoing rapid weight loss
- Previous filler or treatment complications requiring specialist assessment
If the degree of laxity is too advanced for non-surgical treatment, we will advise you honestly.
When surgery may be better
Non-surgical treatments can improve selected cases of mild to moderate jowls, but they cannot remove large amounts of loose skin.
Surgery may be more appropriate if you have:
- Severe jowls
- Heavy lower-face sagging
- Deep neck folds
- Significant excess skin
- Poor skin elasticity
- Advanced facial descent
- Visual desire for a dramatic lift
- Previous non-surgical treatments with limited improvement
In these cases, facelift or neck-lift assessment may give a more predictable result.
Aftercare advice
Aftercare depends on the treatment performed.
General advice may include:
- Avoid strenuous exercise for 24–48 hours after injectable or laser treatments
- Avoid alcohol for 24 hours after injectable treatments
- Avoid sauna, steam rooms and excessive heat
- Avoid facial massage unless advised
- Use SPF 50 after laser treatments
- Avoid active skincare until advised after CO₂ laser
- Follow all wound-care instructions after laser
- Sleep slightly elevated if swelling is present
- Attend review appointments
- Contact the clinic if you develop severe pain, increasing swelling, skin colour change, infection symptoms, visual symptoms or delayed healing
Endolift® aftercare may include compression or massage guidance depending on the area treated.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best treatment depends on the cause and severity. For mild to moderate jowls with soft tissue heaviness, Endolift® is often one of our preferred non-surgical options. HIFU may suit selected mild cases. CO₂ laser is useful when wrinkles and crepey skin are also present.
Yes, Endolift® may improve selected cases of prominent jowls, jawline laxity and lower-face heaviness by stimulating internal tightening, collagen remodelling and selected fat reduction.
HIFU may help mild jowls and early skin laxity in selected clients. It is usually less suitable for severe jowls, heavy tissue, significant fat or marked loose skin.
CO₂ laser improves skin texture, wrinkles and surface tightening. It does not replace internal tightening or surgery, but it can improve the quality of skin over the lower face and jawline.
Endolift® results develop gradually. Some early improvement may be seen within weeks, but final results are usually assessed over 3–6 months.
Filler can help selected cases by supporting the chin, jawline or pre-jowl area. However, too much filler can make the lower face look heavier, so careful assessment is essential.
If your jowls are severe or there is significant excess skin, surgery may be more appropriate. We will advise honestly if non-surgical treatment is unlikely to meet your goals.
Yes, mild to moderate post-weight-loss jowls may improve with Endolift®, CO₂ laser, Erbium Glass laser, Bio Remodelling / Bio Stimulator Structura or biostimulation. Severe skin excess may need surgical assessment.
Why choose Skin and Scar Care Clinic?
At Skin and Scar Care Clinic, we provide medical-grade aesthetic treatments with a personalised and safety-led approach.
We focus on:
- Accurate jowl and jawline assessment
- Endolift® lower-face and neck tightening
- HIFU only in selected suitable cases
- CO₂ laser for wrinkles and skin texture
- Regenerative and biostimulatory treatment planning
- Natural-looking jawline improvement
- Honest advice about surgical versus non-surgical options
- Avoiding overfilled or unnatural results
- Realistic expectations and aftercare support
We will always advise if Endolift®, HIFU, laser, injectables or surgery is the most appropriate option for your concern.
Disclaimer
Jowl and jawline laxity treatments are medical aesthetic treatments and results vary between individuals. Treatment outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Prominent jowls and jawline skin laxity may be caused by ageing, collagen loss, skin laxity, facial fat, volume loss, weight loss, menopause, muscle pull, bone support changes, genetics, sun damage or previous aesthetic treatments. A consultation is required to assess the true cause.
Endolift®, HIFU, CO₂ laser, Erbium Glass laser, Bio Remodelling / Bio Stimulator, Bio Remodelling / Bio Stimulator Structura, biostimulators, dermal filler and anti-wrinkle injections can improve selected cases of mild to moderate jowls, lower-face laxity, wrinkles and jawline concerns, but they do not guarantee complete correction.
Endolift® is not an alternative to a surgical facelift or neck lift. HIFU is suitable only for selected mild cases and may not be appropriate where there is significant heaviness, advanced laxity, very thin facial tissue or unrealistic expectations. CO₂ laser improves wrinkles, crepey skin and skin texture, but it does not replace lifting procedures where significant tissue descent is present.
Possible side effects include redness, swelling, bruising, tenderness, numbness, tightness, asymmetry, lumpiness, burns, pigmentation change, infection, delayed healing, scarring, incomplete improvement and the possible need for further treatment.
Rare but serious complications can occur with any medical aesthetic treatment. Please seek urgent medical advice if you experience severe pain, increasing swelling, skin colour change, signs of infection, visual symptoms or any concerning symptoms after treatment.
We always aim to provide 100% effort, but final results depend on anatomy, skin quality, degree of laxity, age, weight stability, collagen response, medical history, healing ability, lifestyle factors and adherence to aftercare.