Laser, fillers, exercises and prevention: what really helps jowls, and what doesn't.
The short answer: you can't exercise jowls away, and no cream will lift them. Jowls form when skin loosens, fat pads slip downwards and the jawbone itself slowly changes shape. That's why the most effective non-surgical options work on how firm and defined the skin looks: fillers to restore lost volume, energy-based treatments such as ultrasound and radiofrequency, and, at home, near-infrared laser used consistently over weeks. Daily SPF and not smoking are the best ways to slow them down. Here's how each option compares.
Jump to: What causes jowls · Treatments compared · Laser for jowls · Exercises and massage · How to prevent jowls · FAQs
What causes jowls?
Jowls are rarely about one thing. With age, the skin produces less collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep it firm and springy, so it loosens. The fat pads in the cheeks thin and slide downwards, and the ligaments that hold them in place relax. Underneath, the facial skeleton changes too: the jawbone gradually loses volume, so there's less structure for the skin to drape over.
Several things speed this up: years of sun exposure without SPF on the jaw and neck, smoking, significant weight loss in the face, genetics, and constantly looking down at a phone or laptop, sometimes called tech neck.
How to get rid of jowls without surgery: your options compared
Each non-surgical option works on a different part of the problem, which is why many people combine them. Here's what each does, how long it lasts and what to expect.
Dermal fillers for sagging jowls
Fillers don't lift jowls directly. Injected into the cheeks, jawline or chin, they restore lost volume so the jowl is less noticeable. Results are immediate and last roughly 6 to 18 months, but treatments are repeated, can cause swelling and bruising, and overfilling can make the lower face look heavy. Read more about how laser compares with fillers.
Botox for sagging jowls
Small injections into the neck muscle that pulls the lower face down, sometimes called a Nefertiti lift, can sharpen the jawline slightly. The effect is subtle and lasts three to four months. It works best for early jowling.
Ultherapy and HIFU
High-intensity focused ultrasound heats the deeper layers of the skin to trigger tightening over the following two to three months. It's usually a single session, can be uncomfortable, and suits mild to moderate laxity.
Radiofrequency and RF microneedling
These clinic treatments use heat to tighten the skin. They usually need a course of sessions and some downtime with microneedling.
Thread lifts
Dissolvable threads placed under the skin lift the jowl mechanically. Results are visible straight away but typically last one to two years.
At-home laser and red light
At-home devices are the only option you can use daily, without appointments or downtime. They vary widely in power and type: LED masks spread low-power light over the face, while a near-infrared laser delivers focused, coherent light. Learn more about the difference between LED and laser.
At-home laser treatment for sagging jowls
The LYMA Laser uses 808nm near-infrared cold laser light, with no heat, needles or downtime. Used consistently, it's designed to transform the look of skin on the face, jawline and neck, for skin that appears firmer, smoother and more defined.
How to use a laser on your jowls
Celebrity facialist Nichola Joss recommends this routine. Hold the LYMA Laser under the chin for three minutes. Move it along the jawline, directly over the jowl, for another three minutes. Then glide it in slow sweeps from chin to ear for three minutes. Repeat on the other side. Use it daily and give it at least four to eight weeks.
LYMA Laser before and after: jowls and neck
This customer used the LYMA Laser PRO for 15 minutes a day on her jowls, neck and under-eyes. This photo was taken after four weeks. Individual results vary.
For more real-world experiences, read LYMA Laser reviews or our guide to at-home laser for sagging skin.
Do face exercises get rid of jowls?
Not on their own. In a small study, women who did 30 minutes of facial exercises daily for 20 weeks had fuller-looking upper and lower cheeks, but no exercise can tighten loose skin, and there's no good evidence for jowls specifically. Popular trends such as mewing (pressing the tongue to the roof of the mouth) and nasal breathing may influence jaw development in children, but there's no evidence they reshape an adult jawline.
Facial massage for jowls
Massage won't remove jowls, but it can temporarily reduce puffiness and make the jawline look sharper for a few hours, which is useful before an event. Apply a serum or oil for glide. Make fists under your chin, knuckles facing up, and knead outwards along the jawline towards your ears. Repeat five times, morning and evening.
How to prevent jowls
Wear SPF every day and take it down to your jawline and neck, as sun exposure is the biggest avoidable cause of skin ageing. Don't smoke. Keep your weight steady where you can, since repeated gains and losses stretch the skin. Hold your phone at eye level. Eat enough protein to support your skin. And start early: preventing laxity is easier than reversing it, which is where daily treatments that keep skin looking firm come in.
If you're comparing at-home options, the LYMA Laser PRO has a 30cm² lens, compared with the 8cm² lens of the original LYMA Laser, so each session covers the jawline and neck faster.
Jowls: your questions answered
Can jowls be reversed?
They can be improved, and early jowling responds best. Non-surgical treatments can make jowls noticeably less visible, but significant sagging usually needs surgery for a dramatic change.
Can you get rid of jowls naturally?
Not completely. Massage and exercises give a temporary improvement at best. Daily SPF, not smoking and consistent at-home treatments are the most effective natural approach over time.
What is the best treatment for jowls?
It depends on the cause. Fillers suit volume loss, ultrasound and radiofrequency suit mild to moderate laxity, at-home laser suits daily maintenance, and a facelift is the most effective option for advanced sagging.
Does red light therapy work for jowls?
Low-power LED red light has limited evidence for jowls. Near-infrared laser delivers focused light at a set wavelength, which is why it's a different category of device.
Can you get rid of jowls in a week?
No. Only fillers and thread lifts give an immediate change. Every other option takes weeks to months.
At what age do jowls start?
Often in the late thirties or forties, though genetics, sun exposure and weight changes can bring them on earlier or later.
When surgery is the better option
If your jowls are pronounced and the skin on your neck is very loose, non-surgical treatments will have limited effect. A lower face and neck lift remains the most effective option for advanced sagging. A qualified plastic surgeon or dermatologist or GP can tell you which approach suits your skin.
The bottom line
There's no quick fix for jowls, but there is a lot you can do without surgery. Protect your skin from the sun, choose treatments that match the cause, and be consistent: daily at-home care, started early, makes the biggest difference over time.
A few minutes a day, kept consistently, is what shows along the jawline a few months from now.
References
Mendelson B, Wong CH. Changes in the facial skeleton with aging: implications and clinical applications in facial rejuvenation. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2012;36(4):753–760.
Alam M et al. Association of facial exercise with the appearance of aging. JAMA Dermatol. 2018;154(3):365–367.
Levy PM. The ‘Nefertiti lift’: a new technique for specific re-contouring of the jawline. J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2007;9(4):249–252.
Fabi SG. Noninvasive skin tightening: focus on new ultrasound techniques. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2015;8:47–52.
