Jowls form due to the downward pull of cheeks that have lost fat and collagen.

The skin forms a pocket at the areas toward the sides of the mouth where they stop due to the Jawline and the strong muscles around the mouth.  This also leads to a more rectangular-shaped face that is associated with middle age (a) as opposed to the heart shaped face (b), associated with youth and beauty.

There are many ways to soften the appearance of jowls.  Fillers that lift the cheeks and/or camouflage the jowls, tissue tightening devices (Ultherapy, Thermage, & Profound),  and muscle stimulating devices (PanG) are the methods Advanced Dermatology turns to for softening the jowls and trying to restore a more heart-shaped face.

Prevention of jowls includes using sunscreen daily year-round, even when in a car (UVA penetrates deeply and goes through window glass, damaging our collagen and causing thinner skin), collagen stimulating creams or gels (such as growth factors and retinols/retinoids).

Cheeks

The cheeks are one of the most important focal points of the face for retaining beauty.  As they lose volume due to loss of collagen and underlying fat and bone, they tend to lose their roundness.  This causes sagging and accentuates the lines around the mouth called nasolabial folds as well as jowls. The number one way to restore the cheek is through volume, such as Restylane or Restylane Lyft.