Of course, you can't reverse the signs of aging completely. You can go the nonsurgical route and add firming creams or facial exercises to your skincare routine. There are also cosmetic procedures that provide quicker results, such as laser surfacing or ultrasound skin tightening.
While the aging process can't be reversed, you can dramatically reduce jowls with the following procedures: Facelift (surgical) Neck lift (surgical) Laser resurfacing using needles to reach treatment areas (minimally-invasive procedure with five to seven days of downtime)
Skin naturally loses some of its ability to stretch and bounce back with aging. Sun exposure and habits, such as smoking, can accelerate this process. There are many successful treatments for improving skin elasticity. Lifestyle changes, such as wearing sunscreen, can help slow it down and minimize its effects.
The biggest changes typically occur when people are in their 40s and 50s, but they can begin as early as the mid-30s and continue into old age. Even when your muscles are in top working order, they contribute to facial aging with repetitive motions that etch lines in your skin.
Almost everyone develops jowls as they age. It happens because your skin becomes thinner and less elastic over time. Jowls may be less pronounced in people who have thicker skin, more fat, or more collagen in the area below the cheeks and chin.
Over time, the sun's ultraviolet (UV) light damages certain fibers in the skin called elastin. The breakdown of elastin fibers causes the skin to sag, stretch, and lose its ability to snap back after stretching.
Engelman agrees: "Retinol is the most potent ingredient that helps build collagen and elastin, which leads to tighter, smoother skin."This mixture has the added bonus of hyaluronic acid, which "can smooth, firm, and tighten the appearance of the skin," Dr. Bowe says.
Collagen's role in the body
Collagen is a protein that serves as one of the main building blocks for your bones, skin, hair, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. "Collagen is what keeps our skin from sagging, giving us that plump, youthful look," says dermatologist Dr. Ohara Aivaz.
One way to improve jowls without surgery is to use soft tissue fillers like Restylane, Juvederm, Voluma and Radiesse to fill in any volume that's been lost along the jawline in this region. This creates a straightening of the jawline and restores the volume of youth.
In Your 40s
More skin laxity and sagging, especially around the jawline and jowls, happens as well, along with smile lines," she adds. "Our cheeks also begin to lose more volume and our temples become more hollow." In other words, your 40s are often the real turning point.
Saggy jowls, simply put, are caused by a loss of elasticity in the skin of the lower face. This is typically caused by a decrease in the body's own collagen production, which typically starts to develop in patients who are in their late 30's or early 40's, though it can develop earlier.
That's because when you gain weight, your facial skin stretches a bit to accommodate the extra pounds, just like the skin on the rest of your body. However, once you lose weight, saggy jowls may seem to appear out of nowhere, since your skin has less ability to retain its shape and bounce back after weight loss.
They're the result of facial muscles continually tugging on, and eventually creasing, the skin. Other folds may get deeper because of the way fat decreases and moves around. Finer wrinkles are due to sun damage, smoking, and natural degeneration of elements of the skin that keep it thick and supple.
Drinking enough water each day replenishes your skin's tissue and cells, allowing for younger and healthier looking skin. Another key to maintaining a youthful appearance is to simply get some rest! When you sleep, your body continuously releases hormones that promote cell turnover and renewal.
Vital Proteins produces many of the most popular collagen supplements on the market. Vital Proteins Beauty Collagen, in particular, is specifically formulated to enhance skin elasticity and hydration.
It's been shown repeatedly that omega-3 fatty acids are essential for increasing collagen production, and therefore, making our skin stronger and improving the barrier function of our skin. Vitamin C also plays a major role in collagen, and you'll find it in foods like broccoli, leafy greens and citrus fruits.
While collagen deals primarily with the aesthetics of skin aging, glutathione is an antioxidant that helps combat free radicals, which can damage your body's cells and affect many bodily processes.
Collagen supplements may lead to mild side effects such as bloating, heartburn, and feelings of fullness. If you have food allergies, make sure to purchase supplements that don't contain your allergens.