Non-Surgical Treatments for the Lower Half of the Face

Dr. Brian Hibler of Schweiger Dermatology Group discusses the best aesthetic treatments to help correct sagging skin, jowls, and double chins.

Facelifts have been the go-to method for cosmetic correction of the lower half of the face. However, not everyone can afford surgery or wants to deal with the risks and downtime.

Luckily, non-surgical treatments can be done at the dermatologist’s office to help correct the lower half of the face and thwart the need for surgery.

Dr. Brian Hibler, a board-certified dermatologist in our Park Avenue office, explains how aging affects the lower part of the face and how to effectively correct and rejuvenate the chin, jowls, lips, and cheeks.

How does age affect the lower half of the face?

Loss of collagen, muscle tone, and volume in the midface affects the face as you age. Additionally, changes in bone structure and the downward descent of the fat pads usually result in sagging skin, which can significantly affect the lower half of the face.

How does the face change as we get older?

The face narrows and elongates as you age, and multiple facial structures are affected, leading to an aged appearance.

Patients lose volume in the cheeks and develop jowls – skin laxity and fullness along the jawline. They may also develop submental fullness or a ‘double chin.’

Downward descent of fat pads leads to the appearance of deep nasolabial folds and marionette lines.

Individuals may lose volume in the lips and develop vertical ‘smoker’s lines’ or ‘barcode lines’ around the mouth, and the corners of the mouth may take a downward turn giving a sad appearance.

We know how great Botox is for the forehead, but can it do anything to improve the lower half of the face?

Botox is excellent for dynamic lines or those caused by muscle contraction, such as the glabellar “eleven lines,” forehead lines, and crow’s feet.

The lines or folds on the lower half of the face are typically related to the downward descent of fat pads and volume loss, such as the nasolabial folds and marionette lines.

Since the crunching of muscles does not create these lines, Botox does not have the same role on the face’s upper half. However, relaxing the muscles responsible for turning down the corners of the mouth (depressor anguli oris) can relax the corners of the mouth and allow them to return to their normal contour.

Botox along the upper lip can relax the smoker’s lines and, in some patients, create a ‘lip flip’ to accentuate the upper lip.

What are the best in-office treatments for the lower half of the face?

Here’s is a list of treatments that can help with the lower half of the face:

• Botox Nefertiti Lift targets the platysma band of muscles that run vertically from the bottom of the face to your collarbone. This helps accentuate the jawline. Botox into the platysma bands relaxes these bands, providing a smoother, more youthful neck appearance.
• Fillers for enhanced, sharper jawline definition.
• Fillers for lip enhancement.
• Botox for masseter hypertrophy softens the jawline and creates a more dramatic angle from the cheekbone to the jaw.
• Sofwave for deep tissue tightening helps lift the cheeks, gives better jawline definition, and can tighten submental laxity and necklines.
• Other ultrasound and radiofrequency modalities (Fractora, Thermage, Ultherapy) can also be used to address similar concerns in a non-invasive fashion.
• Kybella / Coolsculpting for submental fullness and jowls.
• Fractional ablative resurfacing for crepey skin and wrinkles on the cheeks. It is also an excellent treatment for perioral smoker’s lines, capable of stimulating collagen production while targeting both the surface and deeper layers of the skin.
• PDO Threads for sagging skin and jowls.

Dr. Brian Hibler is a board-certified and Harvard-fellowship-trained medical and cosmetic dermatologist.

Dr. Hibler is an expert in laser and cosmetic procedures, combining evidence-based medicine and cutting-edge technologies to formulate personalized treatment plans for all his patients.

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Hibler