As we age, skin elasticity decreases and skin begins to sag. One of the most common areas this occurs is along the jawline and lower face, causing jowls to form. Jowls can make us look older and tired. While there are surgical options like a face or neck lift to treat sagging jowls, there are also nonsurgical options as well. One popular nonsurgical treatment is Botox injections. Botox is often used to treat wrinkles, but research shows it may also help improve the appearance of jowls. Here’s what you need to know about using Botox for sagging jowls.
What causes jowls?
Jowls form as we get older due to several factors:
- Loss of collagen and elastin – These proteins keep skin firm and elastic. As we age, collagen and elastin levels decline, allowing skin to sag.
- Loss of facial volume – Our faces lose fat and muscle tone over time. This loss of volume allows excess skin to droop.
- Gravity – Over time, gravity pulls on our skin, contributing to sagging.
- Genetics – Some people are just prone to developing jowls due to their genetic makeup.
- Sun damage – UV exposure can break down collagen and elastin, leading to premature skin aging.
- Weight fluctuations – Losing and gaining weight causes the face to lose elasticity.
These factors cause the lower part of the face to sag downwards, forming jowls along the jawline and neck. Jowls tend to become more noticeable in our 40s and beyond.
How does Botox work for jowls?
Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) is made from a purified protein called botulinum toxin that is injected into muscles. It works by temporarily blocking nerve signals to the injected muscles. This causes the muscle to relax and soften.
Botox is traditionally used to relax muscles that cause wrinkles, like crow’s feet and frown lines. However, studies have found Botox can also be helpful for improving the appearance of jowls.
When injected into the muscles along the jawline and lower face, Botox causes these muscles to relax. This helps lift and smooth out the appearance of jowls. It also prevents the muscles from pulling down on the jowls, preventing further sagging.
Botox doesn’t actually fill out sagging skin. Rather, it relaxes the muscles and prevents them from pulling down on the skin. This creates a subtle lift and smoothing effect along the jawline. Results are visible within 1-2 weeks and last 3-4 months.
What are the benefits of Botox for jowls?
Using Botox to treat sagging jowls offers several benefits:
- Minimally invasive – As a nonsurgical treatment, Botox requires no downtime. It also carries less risk than surgery.
- Temporary results – Botox isn’t permanent, allowing you to maintain or adjust your treatment as needed.
- Smoother jawline – Botox can help smooth out jowls and create a more defined, rejuvenated jawline.
- Subtle lift – Botox lifts the jawline and lower face subtly for a more youthful appearance.
- Delay surgery – Improving jowls with Botox may help delay a facelift or neck lift.
- Quick treatment – Botox injections only take about 10-15 minutes to complete.
- Little to no downtime – Most patients can return to normal activities immediately.
Botox offers a fast, nonsurgical way to rejuvenate the jawline and smooth out jowls with minimal recovery. Results are gradual and look natural.
What are the limitations of Botox for jowls?
While Botox can improve the appearance of jowls, there are some limitations to consider:
- Results are subtle – Don’t expect dramatic tightening or lifting. Effects are modest.
- Repeated treatments needed – Botox wears off in 3-4 months so maintenance injections are required.
- Doesn’t work for all patients – Some patients’ jowls don’t respond to Botox. Laxity may be too severe.
- Can cause facial asymmetry – Improper injection technique can lead to uneven results.
- Not a permanent solution – Botox pauses sagging but doesn’t stop the aging process.
- Potential side effects – Although rare, Botox can cause bruising, pain, and asymmetry when injected incorrectly.
Botox isn’t a miracle cure and won’t dramatically lift jowls. Subtle improvements are the norm. An experienced injector is important to maximize results and minimize asymmetry.
Who is a good candidate for Botox jowl treatment?
The ideal Botox for jowls candidate is someone who:
- Is bothered by early signs of jowls and mild skin laxity along the jawline
- Wants subtle improvements without surgery
- Has good skin elasticity and muscle tone
- Doesn’t have severe sagging skin or a heavy, hanging jowl
- Is willing to come in for maintenance appointments every 3-4 months
Botox works best for patients who are just starting to notice jowls and want modest, temporary improvements. Patients with more advanced sagging and inelastic skin may not see worthwhile changes.
How is Botox injected for jowls?
Treating jowls with Botox is customized for each patient. Your provider will examine your jowls and determine the best injection sites and dosage. But generally, Botox is injected into a few key areas:
Platysma muscles – These thin vertical neck muscles run down each side of the front neck. Injections here help relax the muscles and prevent downward pulling on the jowls.
Masseters – These chewing muscles at the back of the jawbone can bulge outward and exacerbate jowls. Botox relaxes them.
Orbicularis oris – Injections to relax the muscle around the mouth help lift and smooth corners of the mouth.
Depressor anguli oris – This muscle pulls down the corners of the mouth, contributing to jowls. Botox limits the downward pulling.
Your provider may also inject the risorius, mentalis, or other facial muscles involved in sagging. The number of units injected depends on the severity of your jowls and muscles. Minimal bruising or pain is common.
How long does it take to see results from Botox for jowls?
It takes about 4-7 days to start seeing subtle improvements in the jawline after Botox injections. Optimal results are visible after about 14 days.
Improvements are gradual. The jawline appears smoother and tighter, jowls look lifted, and facial contours appear more defined. But if you’re expecting an extreme makeover, you’ll likely be disappointed with Botox results. Changes are modest when used properly and subtly rejuvenate the lower face.
How long do Botox results last for jowls?
Botox lasts 3-4 months when treating jowls before the effects wear off. Everyone metabolizes Botox at different rates, but you can expect to maintain results for about this long.
To sustain the smoothing, lifting impact on the jawline long-term, maintenance appointments every 3-4 months are necessary. Some regular Botox users even start to see permanent improvements in their jowls and neck after years of ongoing treatments.
Are there any side effects of Botox for jowls?
When performed correctly by an experienced provider, Botox is very safe for treating jowls. Side effects are usually minor and temporary. Potential side effects include:
- Pain/soreness at injection sites
- Bruising around injection sites
- Asymmetrical or uneven appearance (typically resolves in 2-3 weeks)
- Muscle weakness, like trouble chewing or smiling (usually resolves in 2-6 weeks)
- Headache
Serious side effects like vision problems, raspy voice, breathing issues, and loss of bladder control are very rare but can occur if Botox spreads. Seek medical care if any severe side effects develop.
What is the cost of Botox for jowls?
The average cost of Botox for jowls is $500-$800 per treatment. However, pricing varies based on factors like:
- Your provider
- Geographic location – Urban areas tend to cost more
- Number of syringes used
- Any additional treatments paired with Botox, like fillers
Since Botox requires repeat touch-ups every 3-4 months, you’ll need to budget a few thousand dollars annually for ongoing care. Many practices offer package deals for regular Botox patients to reduce costs.
How does Botox compare to ultherapy or other jowl treatments?
There are a few other popular treatments for sagging jowls besides Botox:
Ultherapy – This non-invasive treatment uses microfocused ultrasound energy to tighten and lift the skin along the chin and neck. Results take 2-3 months to appear and last about a year. It treats mild to moderate laxity. Cost is $3000-$5000 per treatment.
Surgical neck lift – A neck lift surgically tightens the platysma neck muscles and removes excess skin for dramatic, longer-lasting jowl improvement. However, it requires a long recovery and costs $6000+.
Thread lifts – Absorbable suture threads are woven under the skin to provide a gentle lift to the tissues. Minimal downtime but results only last 1-2 years. Costs around $2000-$5000.
Laser skin tightening – Lasers like Fraxel stimulate collagen production to gradually tighten skin. A series of treatments is required over months. each costs $1000-$1500.
Morpheus8 – This radiofrequency microneedling device remodels collagen and elastin to lift jowls. You’ll need 2-3 sessions costing $700-$1200 each.
Compared to these treatments, properly performed Botox is less expensive, low risk, and requires no real downtime. However, results will be more subtle and temporary. For more significant improvement, combination treatments are often recommended.
Can I combine Botox with other treatments?
While Botox can be effective on its own, many patients get the best jowl enhancement by combining it with other treatments like:
Filler – Hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm Voluma add volume to lift jowls and restore facial contours. Botox paralyzes muscles while fillers plump sagging tissues.
Ultherapy – This skin tightening treatment complements Botox by working on the surface and deep tissue. The combination lifts, smooths, and tightens lax skin.
Microneedling – Devices like Morpheus8 work synergistically with Botox by promoting collagen production to lift and tighten jowls.
Laser resurfacing – Lasers paired with Botox can both address sagging along with textural changes like wrinkles and crepey skin.
A customized approach pairing Botox with one or more additional treatments often provides the most rejuvenation for jowls and the aging neck and jawline.
Is Botox safe? What precautions should I take?
When performed correctly by an experienced, licensed provider, Botox is generally safe with minimal risks. However, make sure to follow these precautions:
- Choose an experienced injector – Botox technique is crucial for smooth, symmetrical results and safety.
- Avoid Botox if pregnant or breastfeeding
- Disclose any health conditions, medications, or allergies
- Avoid blood thinners for 10-14 days pre-treatment
- Keep head elevated for 4 hours and avoid strenuous activity for 24 hours post-injection
- Schedule touch-ups before Botox fully wears off to maintain results
Proper injection technique, aftercare, and maintenance appointments are key for the best and safest outcomes.
Takeaway
While it won’t dramatically lift jowls, Botox can provide subtle improvements in the appearance of sagging along the lower face and jawline. When performed by a skilled injector using precise technique, Botox relaxes the muscles involved in jowl formation to smooth and temporarily lift the area.
Best results come with regular maintenance appointments every 3-4 months. For optimal rejuvenation, many patients pair Botox with filler, ultherapy, lasers, microneedling, or other treatments. Botox is an effective, nonsurgical option for minimizing early jowling and enhancing facial contours. But for significant sagging, surgical options may be preferable for longer lasting lift.
