As the body ages, the structure of the skin becomes compromised due to low collagen, leading to changes in its texture.
A common concern for women navigating these changes is sagging around the jowls.
Understanding the root cause of these changes is essential to inform what treatments work best, according to licenced Dr Sam Ellis.
The expert said one of the biggest misconceptions about jowls is that they are primarily caused by sagging skin. Sunscreen and retinoids can help prevent this, fortunately.
Some experts believe jowls can be treated without going under the needleGETTY"As we age, pockets of fat move downwards from the cheek area to the lower face," explained Nuffield Health.
"At the same time, you are also likely to lose fat and bone in certain areas at the jawline, such as either side of the chin. Skin also naturally loses elasticity with age."
The good news, is there are several science-based methods to prevent and slow down the progression of jowls.
In-office treatments are gaining a lot of traction as treatments to tackle these concerns, but what we do at home is equally important.
According to Dr Ellis, sunscreen and topical retinoids do wonders for the skin as they help keep its structure intact.
Whether you’re trying to prevent them altogether or prevent them from getting worse, there are several things you can do at home.
“The focus here should be on maintaining your skin integrity, a lot of what you’re doing at home is working on the surface or outer layer, and even though that’s only one part of the jowl, it’s an important part," the expert explained.
“That’s going to include things like sun protection, whether that’s with sunscreen or avoiding direct sun exposure."
The second ingredient, retinoids, helps with collagen production and improves the texture of the skin.
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Retinoids can slow down the progression of jowls
GETTY“Other things that you can think about doing at home are facial massage," explained Dr Ellis.
"If you’re someone who finds that their face is often puffy, you might be holding onto excess lymphatic fluid in the face.
“In the same way that excess fat in the face can weigh the jowls down, increased lymphatic fluid in the face can also contribute to that.
“Things like gua sha and other forms of lymphatic facial massage may help drain that excess fluid."
