Signs of Facial Aging

Facial aging is an unfortunate part of the natural aging process that results to a gradual loss of soft tissue volume. Collagen is a key factor in volume loss, which can be very prominent on the face. As skin ages, the middle layer of skin (dermis) thins due to collagen loss. This reduces the skin’s ability to retain elasticity and moisture causing the skin to become:

• Dryer
• Less supple
• Less elastic and taut
• Thinner and less plump (volume loss)

The pre-jowel region is one area of the face that is particularly bothersome and one of the main facial aging issues. When you lose volume in the face, the jowls become more prominent.

Pictured above: a patient showing pre-jowel correction using filler and a successful result.

What is the Pre-Jowel Region?

The pre-jowels form from extra cheek skin and fat that accumulates until becoming a bulge on the jawline. The fat that hangs over the side of your jawline was originally higher on your lower cheek has sagged, causing a “pre-jowl.”  Pre-jowel is the highly treatable beginning stage of a full-fledged “jowel”. Facelift or neck lift surgery is an easy option to correct this unpleasing aesthetic.

How to correct signs of aging with facial fillers

Due to tight bony-cutaneous ligaments, the bunching of soft tissue gets held up at the jowl level, thus pronunciation a deeper pre-jowl region. The pre-jowl region is also associated with ascending curved wrinkles that wrap around the mouth causing “marionette lines” around the lips. Luckily, the use of filler in this region will help fill concavity, thus camouflaging prominent jowls and creating a smooth jawline.

Correction of the jowls depends on each patient’s individual anatomy. If you do not wish to have a surgical procedure, then facial fillers are a great non-surgical option. Radiesse is an ideal filler material as it has the same consistency as the fibrous bone of the pre-jowl region and can last up to 15 months. You are welcome to first try a reversible filler, such as Juvederm or Restylane and if you are happy with the results, can try something longer-lasting like Radiesse.

For more information and to determine if you are a good candidate for a facial filler procedure, please schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Mowlavi.

SEE ALSO: The Aging Face: Volume Replacement Learn More About Fillers
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