Cosmetic medicine experts consider the face in three areas: the upper, mid, and lower face. Each area has its own common signs of aging or typical cosmetic concerns and needs which nonsurgical treatment options may help improve.
The lower third of the face includes the mouth area down to the jawline and chin. The lower face typically becomes heavier and dominant as we age and distracts from the highlights of the upper and mid face e.g. eyes, cheeks, etc. This area can show common problems like wrinkles, fine lines, sagging, jowls, hyperpigmentation, acne and more. At Cerulean Medical Institute, Dr. Chetty understands in detail the underlying causes of these signs of aging and effective treatment options to help beautify the area.
What Causes Aging in the Lower Face?
Several factors cause aging in the lower parts of the face. All areas can be affected by damaging lifestyle or environmental factors, such as excess sun exposure or smoking. These may cause change in skin tissue including discoloration and fine lines or wrinkles. While these signs may be preventable, other natural and unavoidable changes will occur over time.
Changes in the facial skeletal structure occur with age. In the lower face, this includes bone loss which reduces support in the jawline, upper and lower lip respectively. This results in wrinkles in and around the peri-oral area and reduced volume and support for the lip and mouth muscles.
A redistribution of fat will also occur over time. This is most noticeable in jowls along the jawline and in the submental area, where fat will naturally and increasingly be stored over time. Increased fat in the submental area may result in a “double chin.”
As we grow older, it is also normal to see reduced support in the masseter ligament with decreased ogonion angle (the angle of the jaw) and facial angles. This lack of lower face structural support also contributes to jowling.
Repetitive muscle movement also contribute to signs of aging. The most common example is perioral lines, also referred to as lipstick lines or smoker’s lines. Other fine lines or wrinkles may also be common in the lower face, such as marionette lines.
Finally, sagging and excess skin is especially prominent in the lower third of the face. As the skin sags, it will create jowls and loose skin under the chin and neck areas. Sagging skin is the result of reduced collagen and elastin over time.
Beautification Considerations for the Lower Face
Beautifying and enhancing the lower third of the face are dependent on four primary considerations. These may vary depending on the specific needs, anatomy, stage of aging, skin type, thickness, etc. of the patient.
First, it is often important to create structural support and restore lost volume in and around the jawline, chin and mouth area. This can be beneficial in lifting folds, reducing wrinkles and lines in the area and creating a more youthful and balanced appearance.
Next, it is necessary to tighten loose or saggy skin. Sagging is a considerable concern and need for most patients who show signs of aging in the lower face. Sagging masks important contours of the jawline and chin creating shadows of the lower face and neck.
Many patients will be concerned about jowls and submental fullness. This can include sagging skin and fat redistribution and accumulation along the jawline and the chin with the appearance of a “double chin.” Several treatment options are available to treat and reduce submental fullness.
Last but not least it is important to improve the tone and texture of the lower face with resurfacing treatments e.g. chemical peels, lasers etc., maintain good skin health with medical grade skincare and ongoing sun protection.
Treatment Options for the Lower Face
The best treatment options for the you will vary depending on your unique concerns, needs, age, skin type, and more. The following treatments are commonly used to beautify the lower face and reduce signs of aging.
Injectables
Dermal fillers are a great treatment option for loss of volume and structural support in the face. They can be injected to create structural support, contour the jawline and chin as well as to reduce smile lines, smoker’s lines or to restore volume to the lips, creating youthful-looking lips. Dermal fillers may also be used to reduce marionette lines, or the vertical lines which follow the corners of the mouth. At Cerulean Medical Institute, your dermal filler treatment options include Juvéderm, Radiesse, Belotero, Teosyal, etc.
Botox can also be used for the lower face. Botox injections help slim the masseters or jawline, smoothen out a puckered chin, reduce downturned corners of the mouth or mouth frown and can help contour the jawline.
When combined, injectables may be used for a nonsurgical facelift procedure. This may also be referred to as a Soft Lift or liquid facelift.
Skin Tightening
Sagging skin can contribute to multiple issues in the lower face including jowls and wrinkles. This means that skin tightening treatments are recommended. Skin tightening treatments are calibrated according to your needs and degree of skin laxity.
Chemical peels are a commonly used to improve skin tone and texture. Chemical peels also stimulate new collagen formation and assist in skin tightening. This treatment involves the application of a topical solution to trigger new skin cell turnover and collagen production.
Microneedling is also beneficial in skin tightening. This treatment is also referred to as collagen induction therapy. During medical microneedling treatments at Cerulean Medical Institute, controlled micro-channels are created in the skin. This triggers the natural healing process and new collagen production.
Laser facials and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments can also help in improving skin tightness. These treatments stimulate the natural healing process and collagen production for tighter skin. Laser facials and IPL also result in reduced hyperpigmentation or brown spots.
Belkyra
Belkyra is a novel non-surgical treatment which is intended to reduce excess fat in the submental or below the chin area. Belkyra is composed of deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring molecule found in the body. After injection, Belkyra breaks down fat cells, which are then naturally metabolized and permanently removed by the body. Belkyra may cause a warming or burning sensation as the fat cells are broken down, but treatment is otherwise relatively comfortable. Most patients will see their best results within three to four treatment sessions, but a consultation is necessary to determine your appropriate treatment plan.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are interested in any of the above procedures and want to learn more about your best treatment options to balance and beautify the face, schedule a consultation at Cerulean Medical Institute. During your consultation, Dr. Chetty will review your specific needs and create a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.
To schedule your appointment, call our Kelowna BC office at (778) 402-3696 or contact us online.
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