- Soft tissue fillers can add definition and structure to the jawline.
- Men and women can both benefit from this simple outpatient procedure.
- Results can last up to 24 months.
- The procedure costs $1,200 to $2,400.
A strong, well-defined jawline is universally considered attractive in both men and women. Jawline sculpting using fillers can add symmetry and definition to your lower face, hide double chins, and better frame your facial features.
Contents
What Is Jawline Sculpting?
As people age, they may lose bone density in the jaw and fat can accumulate in the chin area, resulting in a loss of jawline definition. Additionally, many people do not have a strong jawline structure to begin with.
A number of options to sculpt and define the jawline are available, ranging from surgical procedures to simple outpatient injections.
When injected along the mandible (lower jawbone), dermal fillers can add definition to the jawline. In addition to making the facial structure appear stronger, this can also make the neck look slimmer.
Best fillers for jawline sculpting
Clinical experience with various filler materials has shown that hyaluronic acid, poly-L-lactic acid, and calcium hydroxylapatite are all appropriate options for jawline contouring.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a natural material that has many applications as a dermal filler. Its safety and efficacy make it a popular option for adding definition to the jawline. Juvederm and Restylane are the leading brands of HA-based dermal fillers.
Poly-L-lactic acid (Sculptra) is a biocompatible compound that has the ability to stimulate natural collagen production by the body. It can provide long-lasting jawline recontouring.
Calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse) is another dermal filler that can stimulate the production of the body’s natural collagen. In clinical trials, calcium hydroxyapatite produced great jawline contouring results.
Ideal Candidates for Jawline Fillers
Anyone who is generally healthy and wants to add a moderate amount of definition to their jawline is a good candidate for jawline contouring with fillers.
If you have a medical condition (including bleeding disorders) or smoke, you may have an increased risk of complications.
Can jawline fillers hide double chins?
Excess fat in the chin area and a less defined jawline structure both contribute to the appearance of a double chin. By adding jawline definition and reducing chin skin laxity, fillers can help hide double chins.
What to expect during the jawline sculpting procedure
Jawline sculpting using fillers is a simple outpatient procedure that usually takes under 30 minutes to perform. You may get the procedure on the same day as the initial consultation.
Your doctor will begin by applying a numbing agent to reduce the discomfort. They will then use a cannula or a needle to inject the filler, moving it along your jawline. You may need to get multiple injections during the treatment session.
There is no downtime after the procedure and you can go back to your regular routine on the same day.
Aftercare and recovery
You may experience some redness, swelling, and discomfort at the injection site for a few days after the procedure.
As with all dermal fillers, following some precautions can help side effects resolve quicker and reduce the risk of complications:
- Avoid alcohol, direct sun exposure and intense physical activity for 48 hours.
- Avoid unnecessarily touching the treatment area.
- Apply icepacks or cold compresses to help with the swelling.
Jawline Sculpting Results
Dermal fillers are an effective and reliable method of temporarily adding definition to the jawline, reducing the appearance of saggy skin, and hiding double chins. This can accentuate feminine features in women and produce a chiseled, strong jawline in men.
Results become visible immediately after the procedure but it may take up to two weeks to appreciate the final results.
How long do jawline fillers last?
Dermal filler jawline contouring effects typically last 12-18 months and may last up to 24 months in some cases.
Hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, and poly-L-lactic acid dermal fillers are biodegradable, which means that the body can gradually break them down. The results fade away over months after the treatment.
To maintain the improvements beyond the initial effect period, the treatment needs to be repeated. Repeating the treatment before the previous results have completely disappeared is ideal.
Risks of jawline sculpting with fillers
Dermal filler injections in the lower face is a relatively safe procedure. Common side effects may include:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Minor bleeding
More serious complications are rare and may include:
- Infections
- Nerve damage
- Skin damage
Cost of jawline fillers
Various factors go into dictating the final cost of a jawline filler procedure. The type and amount of filler used, as well as provider experience and geographical location, all play a role.
Most dermal fillers come in syringes or vials of 1 cc (1 mL) each except Radiesse which comes in 1.5 cc syringes. A general estimate of their price ranges per syringe is as follows:
- Juvederm Voluma: $600-1,000
- Restylane: $600-700
- Sculptra: $600-1,000
- Radiesse: $700-1,000
Most people can get good jawline sculpting results with two to four vials of filler (one to two per side). A typical treatment session usually costs somewhere between $1,200 and $2,400.
Alternatives to jawline fillers
Dermal fillers are not the only option to sculpt and define the jaw and chin area. Depending on your particular condition and goals, several other invasive and noninvasive procedures may be appropriate for you.
Kybella
Kybella is a form of deoxycholic acid, a compound that can dissolve fat. As opposed to fillers, Kybella does not add volume but rather gets rid of submental (under the jaw) fat. If you have a significant amount of fat tissue in the jowls or a double chin, Kybella may be worth considering.
Kybella is an injectable treatment performed in a doctor’s office. Kybella gradually breaks down fat cells over weeks and you may require multiple treatments to achieve the desired outcome.
Surgical threads
A thread lift is a slightly more invasive procedure that used surgical-grade threads injected under the skin to anchor sagging and loose skin. This is not a permanent procedure as the threads are absorbed by the body within 12 months.
Surgical threads are appropriate for someone who has mild to moderate sagging jowl skin.
Masseter muscles neurotoxin
Botox is a paralytic agent that is often used cosmetically to reduce the appearance of wrinkled skin. Botox can be injected into the masseters, which are muscles on either side of the jaw, to weaken their contractions. In some people, this can slim the facial profile to approximate a “V” shape.
The effects of Botox generally wear off after three to four months.
Radiofrequency treatments
Radiofrequency (RF) treatments use heat energy to induce tissue remodeling and stimulate collagen production under the skin. This results in tightening of the skin and reduction of saggy skin.
RF is often used in combination with other treatments such as liposuction but it may also be a standalone therapy.
Surgical options
People with more extensive skin laxity and submental fat may benefit from a surgical procedure. Surgery can produce better results and permanent improvements but is also associated with higher risks of complications.
Liposuction, or simply “lipo,” is a more invasive option to mechanically remove excess fat in the neck. During the procedure, one or two small incisions are made in the skin and a cannula is inserted to remove fat tissue. Liposuction does not treat saggy skin so it may be combined with another procedure to achieve this.
A neck lift is a surgical procedure in which incisions are made behind each ear and under the chin, allowing the surgeon access to the muscles, fat, and other structures underneath. The muscles can then be tightened and excess fat and/or skin removed.
Takeaway
Jawline sculpting using dermal fillers is a minimally invasive procedure that can add definition to the jawline. It is relatively safe, well-tolerated, and produces effects that can last up to two years. The treatment usually costs $1,200 to $2,400.
Sources
- Moradi A, Shirazi A, David R. Nonsurgical Chin and Jawline Augmentation Using Calcium Hydroxylapatite and Hyaluronic Acid Fillers. Facial Plast Surg. 2019 Apr;35(2):140-148. doi:10.1055/s-0039-1683854
- Vleggaar, D. (2005), Facial Volumetric Correction with Injectable Poly‐l‐Lactic Acid. Dermatologic Surgery, 31: 1511-1518. doi:10.2310/6350.2005.31236
- Dallara, J. , Baspeyras, M. , Bui, P. , Cartier, H. , Charavel, M. and Dumas, L. (2014), Calcium hydroxylapatite for jawline rejuvenation: consensus recommendations. J Cosmet Dermatol, 13: 3-14. doi:10.1111/jocd.12074
- Baspeyras, M, Dallara, J‐M, Cartier, H, Charavel, M‐H, Dumas, L. Restoring jawline contour with calcium hydroxylapatite: A prospective, observational study. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2017; 16: 342– 347. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.12335
- Talarico, Sergio MD; Meski, Ana P. MD; Buratini, Laura MD; Manela-Azulay, Mônica MD; Simpson, Helen PhD; Sidou, Farzaneh MSc; Kerrouche, Nabil MSc. (2015) High Patient Satisfaction of a Hyaluronic Acid Filler Producing Enduring Full-Facial Volume Restoration: An 18-Month Open Multicenter Study. Dermatologic Surgery: December 2015 – Volume 41 – Issue 12 – p 1361–1369. doi:10.1097/DSS.0000000000000549
- Shamban A. T. (2016). Noninvasive Submental Fat Compartment Treatment. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open, 4(12 Suppl Anatomy and Safety in Cosmetic Medicine: Cosmetic Bootcamp), e1155. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000001155
- Karimi, Kian MD, FACS; Reivitis, Alexandra BA. (2017) Lifting the Lower Face With an Absorbable Polydioxanone (PDO) Thread. September 2017 | Volume 16 | Issue 9 | Case Reports | 932. jddonline.com/articles/dermatology/S1545961616P0932X/1/
- Wu, Woffles T.L. (2010) Botox Facial Slimming/Facial Sculpting: The Role of Botulinum Toxin-A in the Treatment of Hypertrophic Masseteric Muscle and Parotid Enlargement to Narrow the Lower Facial Width. Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics, Volume 18, Issue 1, 133 – 140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsc.2009.11.014
- Weiss, Robert A. MD, FAAD, FACPh. (n.d) Noninvasive Radio Frequency for Skin Tightening and Body Contouring. pdfs.semanticscholar.org/6b61/5cff937073a0baff691b58bcedca3bd24ad1.pdf