When the transition between the lower face and neck is obscured, it can be difficult for men and women to feel confident and youthful. While a sleek jawline is sought out by most patients, a smooth, refined lower facial contour can be harder to maintain over time as genetics, shifts in weight, gravity, or the natural aging process continue to affect your facial tissues. There’s no one-size-fits-all treatment to recontour the jawline, and the right solution depends on which factors are contributing to an undefined look.
Fortunately, there is a diverse range of treatments available to smooth and tighten the jawline. Dr. Mary Contogiannis, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Greensboro, offers both surgical and non-surgical options to help resculpt the lower face and make your jawline more visible. While booking a consultation is the only way to confirm the most effective approach for your needs, the information below can provide guidance and give you insight into potential jawline contouring options.
Stubborn Fat and Fullness — Neck Liposuction
Stubborn, exercise-resistant fat can accumulate in the face and neck for a look commonly known as a “double chin.” If your efforts in working out and toning haven’t achieved your desired results, neck liposuction may be the answer. This procedure selectively targets localized fat deposits through tiny, discreet incisions, usually tucked under the chin or behind the ears. Dr. Contogiannis then uses a thin cannula to remove the unwanted fat and resculpt a smoother contour along the jaw and neck.
Neck liposuction works best for people with good skin elasticity since the skin has to retract naturally once fat is removed. Recovery is typically quick, with most patients returning to normal activities within about a week. Results are long-lasting as long as your weight remains stable.
Loose Skin — Neck Lift
If the issue is lax, excess skin rather than stubborn fat, a neck lift may be more appropriate. Over time, the skin and underlying platysma muscle can loosen, leading to vertical neck bands and the crepey, sagging appearance sometimes called a “turkey neck.” Liposuction alone can’t correct this, but a neck lift can tighten underlying muscles, remove excess skin, and redrape the remaining tissue for a firmer and more defined neckline. Incisions are generally placed around the ears and sometimes beneath the chin, where they heal discreetly. Many patients combine a neck lift with facial liposuction to address both excess skin and fat in a single procedure.
Jowls (Sagging Cheeks) — Facelift
Jowls form when the cheek tissues descend below the jawline, softening the edges of the lower face and creating a heavy or tired look. In many cases, the most effective correction is a modern facelift.
Facelift surgery doesn’t just address lax skin, but also repositions the deeper layer of tissue (known as the SMAS). This can restore a clean, seamless jawline contour and smooth deep folds around the mouth. A facelift is frequently paired with a neck lift for more harmonious rejuvenation from cheekbone to collarbone. While recovery takes relatively longer than less invasive options, the results can restore a more youthful version of yourself.
Mild Excess Fat and Skin — FaceTite®
For those with early signs of fullness and laxity who aren’t quite ready for surgery, FaceTite® offers a minimally invasive means of tightening, smoothing, and slimming the face. This treatment uses RF energy and lipolysis to gently melt fat and stimulate collagen production for a tighter look. A small probe is placed beneath the skin and delivers controlled heat under the surface, while simultaneously contracting and tightening the surrounding tissue.
There is minimal downtime afterward, and treatment is performed in our office operating room. While effective, FaceTite® works best for patients with mild to moderate concerns along the jawline and neck. Results continue to improve over several months as collagen continues to form.
At Renaissance Center for Plastic Surgery & Wellness, Dr. Mary Contogiannis prioritizes providing both surgical and non-surgical treatment options to refine the jawline and improve your facial profile. We’d be happy to speak with you about the best procedure for your goals, so don’t hesitate to contact our Greensboro practice for more information. We serve patients throughout Winston-Salem, Asheboro, Highpoint, Burlington, Durham, and surrounding areas.
