The term “jowls” refers to the loose sagging skin which hangs below the jawline. As we get older, we lose volume in the face, due to the atrophy of tissue beneath the skin. And for many people, this can lead to the formation of jowls.

Los Angeles patients who are interested in finding the right jowls treatment may be interested to learn the following about their condition:

1) what causes jowls to form

2) early indications of jowls

3) different medical treatments for addressing jowls

Jowls can now be treated through surgical and non-surgical options.

DERMATOLOGY CONCEPTS FOR LOS ANGELES PATIENTS SEARCHING FOR A JOWLS TREATMENT

A basic understanding of simple dermatology concepts can be very useful when trying to find the right treatment for jowls.

Although there is most likely a genetic component which can determine how readily a person can develop jowls, there are also a couple of environmental factors that can hasten this process.

The Effects of Sun Damage on Tissue Change

Many people in Los Angeles searching for a jowls treatment are not aware of the extent that sun damage has contributed to their condition. It would seem that the sun would only contribute to surface wrinkles on the skin. However UV rays can also facilitate the development of jowls by decreasing the level of elasticity in the skin according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

There is tissue which attaches the skin to the muscles. And with age, this will become weaker. Fat deposits in the cheeks will start to shrink. As gravity pulls the tissue in the face downwards, this effect will be made more apparent if the skin has lost a considerable amount of elasticity.

Therefore proper sun protection against both UVA and UVB rays can help to decrease the sagging of the skin.

Los Angeles Jowls Treatment-The Effect of Smoking

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, there is also a link between smoking and jowls. Based on an analysis conducted, individuals who smoke over ten cigarettes on a daily basis for ten years will experience a much faster onset of jowls compared to those who do not smoke.

Another research study from 2002 looked at the skin’s elasticity in young smokers still in their twenties. The skin of this group had markedly less elasticity than their peers who did not smoke.

Nasolabial Folds-An Early Indication of Jowls

Before reaching the point where a jowls treatment is necessary, Los Angeles patients may want to look for early signs in order to prevent more advanced stages from progressing.

An interesting fact to note is that jowls first become apparent around the nose and mouth. The depressions in this area which form a parenthesis-like shape are referred to as nasolabial folds.

As the face loses volume, nasolabial folds around the mouth become deeper and more pronounced. This is the initial phase of jowl formation. It indicates that the tissue beneath the skin is starting to sag.

If the surface skin has lost a great deal of elasticity, then jowls are very likely to develop.

LOS ANGELES JOWLS TREATMENT PROCEDURES

Surgical Treatment for Jowls

Surgical techniques can be used to get rid of jowls. These would include:

1) liposuction

Liposuction can be used to remove unwanted fat that creates unnecessary weight that drags the skin down. This would only be effective on younger patients since their facial tissue beneath the skin has not started to droop and descend.

2) face lift

Facelift techniques for getting rid of jowls can involve pulling or tightening the skin that hangs down. Or doctors may choose to actually cut the jowls to eliminate the droopiness at the jawline.

Non-Surgical Jowls Treatment For Los Angeles Patients

A dermal filler called Radiesse can actually improve the appearance of jowls with very minimal invasion. The injection solution is a suspension of a calcium hydroxyapatite particles which offer structural support for tissue areas that require this. Therefore Radiesse can be used to refine the shape of the jawline by lifting the jowls.

This can be an excellent option for patients who do not want to undergo surgery.

Here is an example of a patient who received wonderful results using this approach.

Los Angeles jowls treatment- patient before and after her jowls treatment with Radiesse*

Los Angeles Jowls Treatment- The Issue of Weight Loss

Many people believe that the constant pattern of gaining and losing weight will lead to jowls. This may be true in extreme cases where this involves massive amounts of fat in the face. But if the issue involves five to ten pounds of body weight, then jowls should not be an issue, according to Dr. Lance Brown, a clinical dermatology professor at New York University’s School of Medicine.

Treatment for Jowls in Los Angeles

Los Angeles jowls treatment options can include non surgical procedures. Patients should analyze the pros and cons of different choices and discuss these with their physician before committing to a procedure.