Jowls and Sagging Face Skin – Meaning, Causes, and Lift Treatment – Auckland NZ

Sagging face or jowls causes are a natural result of ageing. As we grow older our skin becomes less elastic – almost like an overstretched pair of track pants. As elasticity declines, the loose skin slowly becomes less resistant to the force of gravity, and will stretch and sit lower. This can be seen in our eyelids, our cheeks, and our jawline and neck resulting in a fuller lower face.

As we age the skin produces less elastin (for elasticity) and collagen (for firm and smooth skin). That same elastin and collagen is also subject to degradation over time by UV rays from sun exposure, smoking, and not having a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Significant weight loss can be another of the sagging face causes. Carrying on with the analogy of the overstretched track pants, if you have carried excess weight for some time, and then lose it, the skin can be less effective at tightening back up when the excess fat has gone. This is due to damage to the elastic fibres in the skin when it is stretched.

Additionally, one of the more rare sagging face or jowls causes can be a medical condition such as Ehler Danlos syndrome, which weakens the connective tissue of the skin.

Sagging face or jowls treatment options vary depending on its severity. The sagging face treatment we recommend could include medical grade skincare which is the lowest cost, least invasive and requires no recovery time, right through to cosmetic surgery which is the highest cost, most invasive, with highest recovery time.

Medical Grade Skincare and Chemical Peels

It is important to be aware of the difference between skincare that you can buy at a pharmacy or department store and medical grade skincare. Although the promises made by some expensive skincare brands are impressive, they do not include high enough quantities of active ingredients, and so are limited in what they can achieve.

Medical grade skincare contains higher levels of ingredients that are proven to help improve facial skin texture, and are only available at reputable clinics. Often they are less expensive than the department store brands too.

Even medical grade skincare is unlikely to significantly improve sagging skin however. What it will do is improve the skin texture and pigmentation and help support other treatments. Medi-facials with chemical peels as prescribed by our skin therapist will supplement this effect and are a good option for those wishing to avoid a cosmetic procedure.

Sagging Face Treatment With Dermal Fillers

The most effective non-surgical way to lift sagging face skin is with the use of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. These are used in the cheeks, temples, and jawline to retract sagging skin, create a more defined jawline and even reduce a double chin. The hyaluronic acid dermal filler attracts water and hydrates the structures underneath the skin to lift it, often with impressive results.

Sagging Face Treatment With ResurFX™ Laser

Some clinics may offer ultrasound or radiofrequency to heat up the dermis and stimulate collagen production, however results can be minimal so this is not a treatment we recommend or offer at Palm Clinic.

Evidence shows that the most effective treatment to tighten and lift the skin from this type of procedure is from laser resurfacing. At Palm Clinic, Auckland, NZ we have a medical grade ResurFX™ Laser which damages the skin in a controlled way to stimulate collagen production and improve skin texture as well as pigmentation, to create a more youthful appearance.

Jowls Treatment with Plastic Surgery

When the saggy skin is more significant, plastic surgery may be indicated. Your Palm Clinic doctor will refer you on to our plastic surgeon, Dr. Stephen Mills who can take you through options for a surgical procedure, including a blepharoplasty (for eyelids), a face or neck lift .

Whichever option you choose, there are certain lifestyle choices that you can make at home to optimise the outcome of any of the above. These include, eating a healthy diet, minimising alcohol intake, not smoking, exercising, having good sleep hygiene and most importantly, using SPF and clothing to protect your skin from sun exposure.

To discuss sagging face treatment options, please contact our reception team to book a consultation or find out more.

Below, see some examples of sagging face images, before and after treatment.