What To Do About Sagging Jowls (Without Botox or Surgery)

For me, it was a “what just happened” moment (or a “WTF” moment but I’m trying to curb my potty-mouth) when I noticed my jowls drooping. It made sense, though, everything else was heading south, why not my jawline? Having said that, I told my jowls and other droopy bits I loved them, because your body always does better when loved, and I set to work finding ways to give them a lift. 

For context, I’m 60 years old, a licensed esthetician and celebrity makeup artist, and I’ve personally chosen not to use Botox, fillers, or plastic surgery. That doesn’t mean I ignore the aging process, far from it. Instead, I focus on treatments that support my skin’s natural ability to renew itself.

For the past nine months, one of the most helpful tools in my routine has been microneedling. While it won’t replace surgery, it can play a meaningful role in improving skin firmness and supporting collagen production.

Let’s talk about what I discovered about jowls and what you can realistically do about them.

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What Causes Jowls?

Jowls are not caused by just one factor. It would be so easy to say, just apply this cream and voila, jowl be gone. Sorry, it’s not that simple. Jowls happen because of several structural changes that occur in the face as we age.

The first is collagen loss. After age 30, our bodies produce less collagen each year. Collagen is the protein that gives skin structure and firmness, so as it declines, skin becomes thinner and less elastic.

Second, the fat pads in the face begin to shift downward. In younger skin, fat pads sit higher in the cheeks and help support the midface. Over time they descend, contributing to heaviness along the jawline.

Third, the ligaments that hold facial tissues in place weaken. These ligaments act like anchors, and when they loosen, the skin begins to sag.

Finally, even the jawbone itself changes with age, losing some of its structural support.

When all of these changes happen together, the lower face begins to soften and sag, creating what we recognize as jowls.

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Typical Treatments for Jowls

When women visit a cosmetic doctor about jowls, the most common recommendations usually include:

• Facelift surgery
• Thread lifts
• Dermal fillers along the jawline or cheeks
• Radiofrequency tightening treatments

These treatments can be effective, especially surgery, which remains the most dramatic solution. However, they also involve higher costs, potential risks, and downtime.

For women like me who prefer a more gradual, non-invasive approach, treatments that stimulate collagen production can be a helpful option.

One of the most well-known of these is microneedling.

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How Microneedling Supports Firmer Skin

Microneedling works through something called collagen induction therapy. This sounds like a fancy term, but really it’s about encouraging cell turnover. 

During treatment, tiny controlled micro-injuries are created in the skin using fine needles. These micro-channels trigger the body’s natural repair response, stimulating the production of new collagen and elastin.

Over time, this process can help improve:

• Skin density
• Elasticity
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Overall skin texture

Research supports these effects. A study published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal found that repeated microneedling treatments improved skin elasticity and dermal thickness through collagen stimulation. Other clinical research has shown visible improvement in skin laxity of the lower face and neck following collagen-induction therapies.

It’s important to be realistic: microneedling won’t reposition fat pads or tighten skin to the degree that surgery can. But with consistent treatments, it can help improve the quality and firmness of the skin, which can soften the appearance of jowls.

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At-Home vs. Professional Microneedling

Microneedling can be performed either in a professional clinic or at home.

Professional treatments typically use deeper needle depths and sometimes combine microneedling with radiofrequency energy. These treatments can produce faster results but are more intensive, have greater down time, and are expensive.

At-home microneedling, when done properly, uses shallower needle depths and focuses on gradual collagen stimulation over time. My favorite at-home microneedling kit is Banish Microneedling. (For $5 off, use the code THEBEAUTYSHAMAN.)

Consistency is key. Rather than expecting dramatic overnight results, at-home microneedling works best as part of a long-term skin care strategy.

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How to Microneedle Safely at Home

Safety should always come first when performing any at-home treatment in order to avoid infection and damaging the skin.

Some basic guidelines include:

• Always start with clean skin and sanitized tools
• Use appropriate needle depths for the area you’re treating
• Avoid microneedling over active acne or irritated skin
• Allow time between treatments so the skin can repair
• Support the skin afterward with hydrating and barrier-strengthening products

Following proper technique helps ensure that microneedling supports skin renewal rather than causing unnecessary irritation.

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Makeup Tricks to Minimize the Look of Jowls

As a pro makeup artist, there are some simple and effective tricks to minimising jowls and strengthening the jawline. While skincare works gradually, makeup is the quick fix we all love!  

A few techniques I use frequently include:

• Placing blush slightly higher on the cheekbone to create upward visual lift
• Adding subtle contour just beneath the jawline to restore definition
• Avoiding heavy foundation buildup along the lower face

Small placement changes can make a huge difference, just be sure to blend like a bandit. 

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Aging Is Natural: But We Can Still Support Our Skin

I love getting older. Gone are the days of worrying over things I can’t change like someone else’s behaviour or whether or not a man likes me. Who cares! There is a greater sense of choosing what works for me and taking action when I feel like it. 

For me the important part is to support my body’s own healing and strengthening capacity, and loving and accepting myself as I get older. 

I hope these tips are helpful and please write below with any questions. 

{I use a Banish Microneedling Kit and earn a small commission from each sale. Use the code THEBEAUTYSHAMAN for $5 off your purchase}