Jowls Treatment Sydney

What Causes Jowls?

Jowls typically develop slowly over time and are a very common concern. Individuals begin to notice heaviness in the lower face, a softer jawline or skin that sits lower around the mouth and jawline.

Jowls appear for a variety of reasons:

• natural ageing and collagen loss
• loss of facial volume and support
• facial tissue dissent and fat pad movement
• weight fluctuations
• bone resorption (structural changes in the jaw over time)
• skin thinning and reduced elasticities
• genetics and natural facial structure
• fluid retention and reduced lymphatic drainage

Volumising Treatment for Jowls

The most common way to treat jowls is to administer a volumising treatment. Rather than addressing the jowl itself, volumising product is placed in front of the jowl. This strengthens and defines the jawline, concealing heaviness in the area and making the jowls appear less noticeable.

Some patients also benefit from treating the surrounding areas to support the structure throughout the lower face. For example, the lower cheeks, chin or jawline can be addressed. These areas are always addressed conservatively, though, as excess product on the lower face can contribute to heaviness over time.

Types Of Volumising Treatments

It’s important that patients understand that not all Volumising Treatments are the same. Consequently, not all prices are the same. At Bella Plastic Surgery, we mostly use semipermanent products for Jowl Treatments. These products are firmer and more long-lasting, and are less likely to shift, providing more long-lasting structural support.

Other clinics may use a range of products that vary in thickness and longevity, and the cost usually reflects the product’s longevity.

• Entry-level products – are often thinner products designed to last approximately 4 to 6 months.
• Mid-range products – are typically thicker and designed to last approximately 6 to 12 months.
• Semipermanent products – are firmer products designed to last approximately 18 to 24 months.

Skin Boosters

Most individuals with jowls also have other concerns in the lower face, such as skin thinning, texture changes, and fine superficial lines around the mouth. Treating these concerns involves improving skin quality to support the appearance of the lower face over time.

Sometimes, we may recommend skin boosters to improve elasticity, hydration and overall skin function in the mouth and lower face. Instead of adding volume, these treatments aim to strengthen and improve skin quality.

Skin boosters are frequently used in the lower face to address crepey skin texture, superficial lines around the mouth, skin thinning and early laxity through the jawline region.

Usually, a series of treatments is recommended, depending on your long-term goals and skin concerns.

Light-Based Therapy

As we age, our collagen levels naturally decline, which can contribute to skin thinning and laxity. Therefore, as part of an ongoing treatment plan, we may recommend light-based therapy to help maintain skin quality in the lower face.

Light-based therapy can help stimulate collagen activity, improve skin texture and support overall skin health. Rather than treating jowls symptomatically, this treatment helps to slow the visible signs of ageing in the lower face and helps manage factors that contribute to their development.

Patients are assessed during an initial consultation to determine suitability and frequency of treatments.

Volumising Treatment: What To Expect

Patients interested in Volumising Treatment will first have a consultation with a treating cosmetic nurse and prescribing doctor. They will fully review your medical history (including contraindications), assess your facial anatomy and propose a treatment plan for you. They will also discuss potential risks.

If you opt to proceed with treatment, the nurse will apply a topical anaesthetic for approximately one hour before treatment starts. (Ice is also sometimes used to increase comfort and help avoid bruising). When you are fully numbed, you will be taken into the treatment room. Your treatment plan will be reviewed once more, and all risks and after-care will be discussed again.

Treatment will commence after you have verbally consented. Volumising product will be carefully placed in specific areas of the lower face to strengthen the jawline, help disguise jowls and support more balanced facial proportions.

After your treatment, you’ll be given your product card, which documents your product details in batch numbers. You’ll also be given written after-care instructions.

To monitor you and ensure the area is settling as expected, we will ask you to email a clear photo of the treated area within 2 hours of your treatment.

Treatment Duration

Most Jowl Treatments take approximately 1½ to 2 hours, with additional time typically required for numbing.

Your Comfort

Most patients tolerate Volumising Treatment in the lower face well. The treatment typically includes a topical anaesthetic applied beforehand. Additionally, our volumising product contains a local anaesthetic, providing additional numbing throughout your procedure.

Treatment Longevity

Treatment longevity always depends on the type of treatment, the products used, the volume of product and the patient’s metabolism. At Bella Plastic Surgery, the volumising products we use for this treatment typically last around 18 to 24 months. However, some patients have reported results lasting more than 5 years. Some patients opt for small touch-up treatments over time, depending on their goals.

If you are having skin boosters or light-based therapy, these may only last a few months each time, and it’s likely we’ll recommend regular treatments.

Recovery Time

The time it takes to recover will depend on the type of treatment you’ve had and the areas being treated. Generally, downtime may include redness, skin tenderness, swelling and bruising. These effects can last from a few days to a week. Occasionally, effects may last longer, depending on the individual.

Your anticipated recovery time will be discussed during your consultation after your treatment plan has been proposed.

Potential Side-Effects

All cosmetic procedures carry risks and side effects. After Jowl Treatment, patients commonly experience minor side effects, such as swelling, bruising, redness, tenderness and subtle asymmetry. There may also be some discomfort in the lower face and jawline area for a week or more, as gravity can keep the swelling in place longer. However, more serious side effects can occur, such as skin necrosis, vascular compromise or vision changes. Please see the full list of possible risks and side effects on our Treatment Risks and Complications page.

After-Care

Your after-care will be discussed during your consultation. Before your treatment, you’ll also be given written after-care instructions to take home. Sometimes, we may recommend a light therapy session a few days after treatment to help with recovery and reduce discomfort.

Results

Your results will be more visible approximately two weeks after treatment, once most of the swelling has settled. Some patients experience mild swelling persisting for longer periods.

Jowl Treatment FAQs

I have sagging (ptotic) skin. Can Jowl Treatment help?

Yes. Jowl Treatment is specifically designed to conceal skin laxity through the jawline area and reduce heaviness in the lower face.

How much recovery time is required?

Your recovery time will depend on the type of treatment you receive. Most patients experience some tenderness, swelling and possibly bruising. These effects typically settle within a few days to 1 to 2 weeks. Occasionally, swelling may take longer to settle.

How long do the results last?

The longevity of your treatment depends on the treatment you receive. If you have a Volumising Treatment, it generally lasts around 18 to 24 months, with results varying between individuals. Treatments like skin boosters or light-based therapy usually require ongoing sessions as their effects are short-term. Maintenance treatments may be recommended, depending on your goals.

Can I combine this treatment with other procedures?

Yes. Jowl treatment can be combined with other procedures, such as Kiss Me Lip Augmentation. Sometimes, treating the jowl area and the lips together can enhance overall facial proportions and complement the outcome.

Is treatment uncomfortable?

Some discomfort should be expected. However, before treatment, we apply a topical anaesthetic to minimise pain. Additionally, the volumising product contains a local anaesthetic. Some individuals may elect to have nitrous oxide (happy gas). This option will be discussed with you during your initial consultation.

How much does Jowl Treatment cost?

The cost of treating your jowl area will depend on the products used, the amount required and whether additional treatments, such as light-based therapy or skin boosters, are included in your plan. You’ll be given a personalised quote during your consultation after we have created your treatment plan.

What are the risks?

All cosmetic procedures carry risks, with Jowl Treatment risks ranging from swelling and bruising to more serious complications such as tissue necrosis and vascular occlusion. All risks will be carefully discussed during your pretreatment consultation.

Is Jowl Treatment right for me?

You’ll need a consultation with one of our treating cosmetic nurses and our prescribing doctor so that they can thoroughly assess you, review your medical history and determine whether treatment is appropriate.