Lines, Laxity & Structure
Jowls
Softening and descent along the lower face, breaking the clean line of the jaw.
01
What it is
Jowls are the pockets of descended tissue that form either side of the chin, where the jawline transitions into the neck.
They are one of the earliest structural changes people notice in photographs before they notice it in the mirror.
02
Why it happens
- Descent of the mid-face fat pads under gravity as the retaining ligaments weaken.
- Loss of dermal collagen reducing the skin's ability to hold the tissue in place.
- Bone resorption along the jaw reducing the underlying scaffold.
03
The layer involved
Structure
SMAS, retaining ligaments, fat compartments and dermis
Jowls are a structural concern. Treatment targets the deep layers to lift and reposition, with dermal remodelling to firm the overlying skin.
04 · What may help
Treatments we may consider
Indicative only. Which of these belong in your plan — and in what order — is decided at your skin analysis, never from a page.
Non-Surgical Lifting
Liftera HIFU
Defy gravity. Redefine your contours — with no surgery and no downtime.
Tighten & Remodel
RF Microneedling
Radiofrequency energy delivered into the dermis for powerful tightening and scar remodelling.
Fibroblast Tightening
Plasma Pen
Plasma energy contracts and lifts lax skin — a surgical-adjacent result without surgery.
05 · When we may need a medical assessment
Some things belong with a doctor first.
- Advanced descent with significant excess skin, where a surgical consultation is the more honest recommendation.
- Swelling or firmness along the jaw that is not tissue descent — this needs a medical opinion.
This page is general education, not medical advice. If anything here sounds like your skin, we will tell you honestly at consultation whether we can help or whether you should see your GP or dermatologist first.
Related
Ageing across every layer.
Fine Lines
Shallow surface lines, most visible around the eyes, mouth and cheeks.
Wrinkles
Established, deeper folds that remain visible when the face is at rest.
Crepey Skin
Finely wrinkled, thin, tissue-paper texture — commonly under the eyes, on the neck and décolletage.
Laxity
Loss of firmness and recoil — skin that feels loose and no longer holds its shape.
Loss of Jawline Definition
A softened border between the face and neck — the contour blurs even without obvious sagging.