If you have heard of injectable filler, you may associate it with treating wrinkles or augmenting lips, but there are many things dermal fillers are used for. Although, they aren’t a replacement for more aggressive treatments like surgery. Dermal fillers can be used to minimize signs of aging, sculpt and define, or subtly enhance features that many individuals are looking for without the social downtime.
My Face Is Starting to Sag
Facial aging is caused by several factors including UV light, gravity, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Muscle and fat changes take place under the skin. As we reach our 20’s, collagen and elastin start to break down more and more each year and facial features slowly begin to drop. One of the most common signs we notice with this is “jowling”. This is where the skin begins to pull downward at the jawline on both sides of the mouth. Almost everyone develops jowls as they age, some worse than others. But what can be done to prevent or slow it down? You may develop jowls due to things that are of your control, but there are several things that can be done to prevent premature sagging.
- Medical grade skin care: A daily regimen with skin loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, and growth factors can help to strengthen skin for a longer period of time.
- Limit and prevent sun exposure: A broad spectrum sunscreen should be used daily to limit UV exposure and the damage it causes to skin long term.
- Cut back on screen time: Be conscious of the position you are holding your head and neck while using a phone or computer. When you are looking down, it can bunch up skin around the jawline and neck.
- Avoid smoking: The chemicals and nicotine from smoking cause damage and age the skin.
- Keep up on preventative treatments: Seeing a skin care professional for maintenance skin care treatments on occasion can help to prevent or prolong doing more aggressive treatments later.
I Already Have Jowls, What Can I Do About It?
Facial sagging is becoming more noticeable and it’s time to investigate further treatment. Age, genetics, and the severity of jowling will determine the best course for treatment when consulting with a professional. If you are in the earlier stages of aging and want to start with something less aggressive, dermal fillers can be a great non-surgical treatment to soften jowls. Dermal filler is not used to get rid of jowls, but it’s injected into the cheeks and/or jawline to help minimize the appearance of jowls. Thicker fillers such as Restylane Lyft, Juvederm Voluma, and the newer FDA approved jawline filler Juvederm Volux are used to treat areas like cheeks, temples, and the jawline due to the thicker composition and structure they provide to these areas.
Filler to the cheek area helps restore volume or structure where it’s been lost, but also helps to lift. This can help improve the appearance of jowling. Treating the jawline with filler helps to create definition and symmetry in the face with the appearance of a chiseled and defined jawline. This can be a great choice for many, with no downtime and more time to look youthful without surgery. On average, most fillers last between 6-12 months, but some patients who have been treated with these thicker fillers have seen results up to two years.
When Should I Consider Surgery?
Each person who considers aesthetic or surgical treatments should know that it’s a personal choice. Although there are several options it depends on the severity of sagging skin and the results you are looking for. If you are experiencing moderate jowling or have more laxity in your skin, filler may not be the right choice. Your provider will consult with you to discuss your goals and give you an honest opinion on what the best course would be. You could need quite a bit more for a heavier cost or, it may not give you the correction you are looking for.
A great surgical procedure to improve jowling is called the MACSlift. It is a mini facelift that is done in the office by our double board-certified facial plastic surgeons. It is invasive, but most patients say there is no pain, and the recovery of 1-2 weeks is worth the results. Dermal fillers can help to fill, shape, and sculpt areas of the face, but they will not remove or improve sagging skin. Fillers are temporary and will need to be done 1 to 2 times a year on average to maintain results. Surgery provides more permanent results and lasts much longer than non- surgical treatments such as fillers or PDO thread lifts.
I’m Ready for A Facial Rejuvenation Consultation
Utah Facial Plastics and UFP Aesthetics offers non-surgical to surgical options for facial rejuvenation. The best way to determine what is right for you starts with a consultation. You will be able to discuss your concerns and goals for us to provide you with the information you need. Our aesthetic experts consist of facial plastic surgeons, aesthetic nurses, and master estheticians that work side by side to create a plan specific to you. Our staff is very personable, and we only want you to seek treatment when you are ready to do so. Give us a call at 801-776-2220 or book an aesthetic consultation on www.utahfacialplastics.com with locations in Layton and Draper, UT. We are transformation you can trust.