Jowl Lift London | 7 March 2025
The gradual loss of skin elasticity, muscle tone, and volume can lead to visible jowls, softening once-sharp jawlines and creating a tired, sagging appearance. Fortunately, a jowl lift, also referred to as a lower facelift, is a precise and powerful way to reverse these changes, restoring youthful contour and definition to the lower third of the face.
If you’ve looked in the mirror and noticed that your lower face doesn’t quite match your inner vitality, or if you’re wondering how to achieve a more sculpted jawline, a jowl lift may be the ideal procedure for you.
What Is a Jowl Lift?
A jowl lift targets the tissues of the lower face and jawline, where sagging, folds, and volume descent typically occur with age. Unlike a full facelift, which addresses the entire face, a lower facelift focuses on the region from the cheekbone down to the neck.
The procedure addresses:
– Skin and soft tissue laxity
– Sagging jowls and loss of jawline definition
– Deep marionette lines (creases from mouth to chin)
– Loose or crepey skin at the neck
– General loss of tone and structure in the lower face
Using advanced surgical techniques, including manipulation of the SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) layer, the procedure repositions and tightens the facial framework—not just the skin—offering long-lasting, natural-looking rejuvenation.
How Is the Procedure Performed?
A jowl lift is tailored to each patient’s unique facial structure and aesthetic goals. The procedure begins with discreet incisions, often placed around the natural creases of the ear or hairline, to allow access to the underlying tissues.
Jonathan carefully lifts and repositions the deep tissue layers, restores the natural tension of the SMAS layer, removes excess skin, and refines the contours of the jawline and neck. Care is taken to avoid over-tightening, ensuring a refreshed—not “pulled” – appearance.
This lower facelift technique is usually performed under as a twilight day case surgery but can be undertaken with general anaesthesia, depending on the patient’s needs and preferences. The incisions are strategically placed to heal discreetly, blending into natural lines and hair-bearing areas for minimal visibility.
Who Is a Suitable Candidate?
The ideal candidate for a jowl lift is someone experiencing visible ageing of the lower face and jawline, including:
– Loss of definition along the jaw
– Noticeable jowls or lower facial sagging
– Deepening folds or wrinkles around the mouth and chin
– Mild to moderate skin laxity in the neck
Patients typically fall within the age range of 35 to 65 although age is not the sole factor—skin quality, facial anatomy, and lifestyle also play key roles in candidacy.
Candidates should be in good overall health, with realistic expectations about results and a willingness to commit to the recovery process. During your consultation, we’ll assess the quality of your skin, review your medical history, and discuss your goals for lower face rejuvenation.
What Does Recovery Involve?
Recovery after a jowl lift is generally smooth and well-tolerated, especially when performed as a day case under sedation. While each patient heals at their own pace, typical recovery includes:
– Swelling and bruising for the first 7–14 days
– A feeling of tightness or numbness in the lower face and neck
– Gradual return to light activity within 1–2 weeks
– Full return to exercise and social activity by 3–4 weeks
– Final results visible at 2–3 months, once swelling fully resolves
Jonathan and his team will provide detailed aftercare instructions, including how to care for your incisions, avoid complications, and optimise your healing.
Tips for recovery:
– Keep your head elevated during rest
– Avoid strenuous activity for at least two weeks
– Use cold compresses to reduce swelling in the early days
– Attend all follow-up appointments to monitor healing
How Long Do the Results Last?
The results of a jowl lift are typically long-lasting, especially when the SMAS layer is addressed during surgery. Most patients enjoy the benefits of their rejuvenated jawline for 7 to 10 years, depending on their skin type, lifestyle, and overall health.
While nothing can stop the ageing process entirely, a jowl lift resets the clock, and many patients choose to maintain their result with non-surgical treatments, such as skin tightening or injectable therapies, over time.
Jowl Lift vs. Non-Surgical Treatments
In some cases, non-surgical options such as radiofrequency, ultrasound-based tightening, or dermal fillers may offer mild improvements to the jawline, but also can have long term negative effects on the tissues. These non-surgical approaches cannot match the precision, lift, and longevity of surgical facial rejuvenation.
A jowl lift provides comprehensive correction by repositioning tissue at its foundation – not just masking surface concerns.