Overview
What jowls look like
Jowls are the pockets of loose skin and fat that settle below the jawline on either side of the chin, softening what used to be a crisp line. They often show up alongside neck changes like loose or crepey skin, vertical bands, and fullness under the chin, sometimes called turkey neck.
Why they form
With age, the deeper supporting tissues of the face loosen and fat shifts downward. The skin also loses collagen and elasticity, so it can't hold everything up the way it used to. Genetics, sun exposure, weight changes, and smoking affect how early this starts.
Treatment options
Dr. Kim performs facelift surgery, which lifts and repositions the deeper tissues of the lower face and neck to bring back a defined jawline and a smoother neck. If there's fat under the chin, neck liposuction may be added.
For earlier or milder changes, a thread lift or non-surgical tightening like Ultherapy or Thermage FLX can give a subtle lift with less downtime.
Being realistic
Non-surgical treatments help with mild laxity, but noticeable jowls and loose neck skin usually need surgery for a lasting result. Dr. Kim will look at your skin, jawline, and neck and tell you plainly which option makes sense.
Recommended Treatment
Facelift
A facelift is a comprehensive facial rejuvenation surgery designed to restore youthful contours by addressing sagging skin, deep facial folds, jowling, and loss of jawline definition. At CK Plastic Surgery in Los Angeles, Dr. Charles Kim performs customized facelift procedures using advanced techniques such as SMAS elevation and deep structural repositioning to achieve natural, long-lasting results. Rather than simply tightening skin, Dr. Kim focuses on restoring underlying facial support for balanced, refreshed outcomes. Each facelift is planned using detailed facial analysis to ensure results that look natural, harmonious, and age-appropriate.
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