Jowl lift

Sagging jowls are one of the most common concerns we see at McKeown Medical in Glasgow. A jowl lift restores definition to the jawline by addressing the structural changes that occur in the lower face with age. Dr Darren McKeown and his team offer both surgical and non-surgical options, tailored to your anatomy and goals.

Sagging jowls are one of the most common concerns we see at McKeown Medical in Glasgow. A jowl lift restores definition to the jawline by addressing the structural changes that occur in the lower face with age. Dr Darren McKeown and his team offer both surgical and non-surgical options, tailored to your anatomy and goals.

At a glance

Every patient is unique, and during our consultation process, we work with you to develop a bespoke treatment plan based on what you want to achieve.

Duration

Depends on treatment option

Anaesthetic

Local

Downtime

Depends on treatment option

Length of results

Non-surgical up to 2 years | Surgical - lifetime

Pricing

From £2,500 - £20,000+

Patient Testimonials

Hear our patients’ experience of surgical and non-surgical options for treating jowls at McKeown Medical.

Surgical & non-surgical treatments

Jowl Lift Overview

Jowl lift refers to a range of treatments used to improve sagging along the jawline. At McKeown Medical, the most appropriate approach is determined by assessing the underlying causes of the jowls and the degree of skin laxity present.

Patients visiting our Glasgow clinic may benefit from a variety of treatment approaches depending on their anatomy and the changes they would like to address. Options may include injectable treatments that restore facial volume or surgical procedures that reposition deeper tissues to improve the contour of the lower face.

All procedures are delivered under the guidance of Dr Darren McKeown, Medical Director of McKeown Medical and a peer-reviewed author specialising in facial aesthetics.

Choosing a Jowl Lift

Choosing the most appropriate treatment for jowls depends on several factors, including the degree of sagging and the quality of the skin. During consultation, these features are carefully assessed to determine which approach will provide the most effective improvement. 

Patients with mild to moderate changes may benefit from injectable treatments that restore facial support. Where skin laxity is more significant, surgical treatment may be recommended to reposition deeper tissues and improve definition along the jawline. 

Jowl Lift vs. Similar Procedures

Several treatments can improve the appearance of the lower face, but they address different concerns.

Skin tightening treatments improve skin quality, while fillers can restore facial balance. However, when sagging tissue along the jawline is the main concern, a dedicated jowl lift is often the most effective option.

What Causes Jowls?

Several underlying anatomical changes happen as we get older that lead to the formation of jowls on the lower face. These include loss of fat in the upper cheeks, accumulation of fat in the lower cheek, and resorption of the jaw and chin bones, as well as loss and recession of the cheekbones and upper jaw. Consequently, there are several treatment options that can be used to tackle and tighten sagging jowls.

The skin itself also plays a part. Over time, the production of collagen and elastin slows, which reduces the skin’s ability to hold its shape against the pull of gravity. Combined with the underlying skeletal changes, this means the soft tissues of the mid-face are no longer supported in the same way, and the fat pads that once sat high on the cheek begin to migrate downwards. The result is a heavier appearance along the jawline, a less defined transition between the cheek and the jaw, and the formation of the small pouches of tissue we recognise as jowls. Lifestyle factors, including sun exposure, smoking, and significant weight fluctuation, can accelerate these changes, which is why two patients of the same age can present with very different degrees of jowling. Understanding which of these factors is the dominant driver in any individual case is what allows treatment to be properly targeted rather than generic.

 

Patient results after a Full Facelift

Surgical Jowl Lift

The gold standard way of reducing the appearance of jowls is the surgical facelift. This allows the surgeon to open the face and shift the fat that has accumulated in the lower cheek back up to areas where fat has been lost, while also removing loose skin from the jawline.

Patients with more severe sagging jowls, or those looking for a more permanent solution to lax skin in this area, are likely to benefit most from a surgical jowl lift procedure, otherwise known as a facelift. Facelift surgery remains the classic, definitive treatment for tightening sagging jowls and restoring a clean jawline.

A surgical facelift offers more than treatment for the jowls alone. It is a strong option for patients wanting the full package of face and neck skin tightening, repositioning of deeper structures, and overall rejuvenation of the lower face. Because the procedure addresses both volume displacement and excess skin in a single operation, the results are longer lasting than non-surgical alternatives and typically deliver a more noticeable change in the contour of the lower face.

This result was achieved non-surgically with the volumetric facelift.

Non-Surgical Jowl Lift Treatments

If you want an aesthetic treatment that is minimally invasive and allows you to return to your normal activities almost immediately, a non-surgical jowl lift may be the better option for you. Non-surgical treatments using filler injections usually have minimal after effects, such as mild skin redness or bruising, so most patients can return to work the very next day.

Many patients worry about using fillers because they do not want to make their face look fat. The goal is to restore areas of volume loss back to how they were before that volume was lost, rather than to simply inflate the whole face. This comes down to the technical expertise of the doctor, and when done properly, it creates an effective rejuvenation that looks natural. McKeown Medical is renowned for the team’s artistry with dermal fillers, a procedure that is carefully tailored to suit your unique facial anatomy. There are several non-surgical approaches that can be used in isolation or combined to address the jowls, depending on the underlying cause and your individual anatomy.

Volumetric Facelift

The Volumetric Facelift is a non-surgical approach to facial rejuvenation that uses dermal fillers to restore volume and give the face a more youthful structure in a way that is understated and undetectable. Rather than treating one area in isolation, the technique addresses the underlying volume loss across the mid-face and jawline that contributes to jowl formation in the first place.

Before and after results of cheek, chin, and jawline filler

Additional Non-Surgical Jowl Lift Treatments

Cheek Filler

Cheek filler is a strong option for lifting the appearance of the middle section of the face. Restoration of volume loss in the cheeks and mid-face can help to improve the appearance of the jowls, as well as contribute to a more rested overall appearance. Lifting the upper structure of the face often softens the jawline indirectly, which is why cheek treatment so frequently forms part of a jowl plan.

Chin Filler

As we age, the chin gets smaller. Improving the projection of the chin using dermal fillers can help to improve the appearance of the jowls and jawline. A more defined chin creates a stronger lower facial framework, which sharpens the transition between the jaw and the neck and reduces the visual prominence of the jowl itself.

Wrinkle and Jowl Fillers

Sometimes, injecting filler directly in front of the jowl, in an area known as the pre-jowl sulcus, can help to camouflage the appearance of the jowl. A good wrinkle filler that is placed correctly can last up to 24 months, resulting in smoother skin with fewer visible wrinkles along the lower face. This technique is often used as a finishing step alongside cheek and chin work to refine the jawline contour.

Meet our facelift expert

Our resident facelift surgeon, Mr Russell Bramhall, is regarded for his facelifts and blepharoplasties, and strives for an elegant, “invisible” result. Here, he discusses his approach to facelifts.

Patient Reviews

Hear from our patients about their experience at McKeown Medical.

Are you ready to start your consultation?

Finding the right treatment for you is the most important factor in ensuring that you are on the correct path to achieve the results you desire. Our pre-consultation form helps us to identify your needs and ultimately get you on the right path to achieving your optimal results.

Consultation between a male practitioner holding a tablet and a female patient seated at a desk in a modern clinic setting.

Pricing

Your jowl lift treatment plan will be tailored to your individual needs and the results you are looking to achieve.

Jowl lift

From £2,500 - £20,000+

Treatment Details

What it Treats

A jowl lift treats sagging along the jawline caused by ageing, volume loss and structural changes in the lower face.

Benefits

The aim of treatment is not to dramatically change the face, but to restore the natural definition of the jawline that can be lost over time. When performed carefully, the result should simply look like a more refreshed version of you.

Additional Treatments

A jowl lift is often combined with treatments such as cheek filler or a volumetric facelift to restore facial structure and improve overall facial harmony. 

Before, During, and After a Jowl Lift

Before, During, and After a Jowl Lift

Every jowl lift begins with a detailed consultation where we assess your facial anatomy, discuss your concerns, and determine the most appropriate treatment approach.

From preparation and treatment through to recovery, each stage is carefully planned to ensure a safe procedure and natural-looking result.

What To Expect Before a Jowl Lift

Before treatment, a comprehensive facial assessment is performed to identify the underlying causes of jowls, including skin laxity, volume loss, and structural changes. This allows for a tailored treatment plan, ensuring the most appropriate surgical or non-surgical approach is selected to achieve natural, balanced, and proportionate facial rejuvenation.

What To Expect During a Jowl Lift

During a jowl lift, treatment varies depending on the chosen approach. Non-surgical options involve precise dermal filler placement to restore volume and support. Surgical procedures reposition deeper facial structures and remove excess skin. All treatments are carefully planned and performed to enhance jawline definition while maintaining natural facial harmony and balance.

What To Expect After a Jowl Lift

After a jowl lift, recovery depends on the treatment performed. Non-surgical treatments may cause mild swelling or bruising that resolves within days. Surgical procedures require longer healing as swelling subsides gradually. As recovery progresses, the jawline appears more defined, and the lower face looks smoother, balanced, and naturally rejuvenated.

Common Questions

Are both surgical and non-surgical jowl lifts safe?

When performed by experienced doctors, both surgical and non-surgical jowl lift procedures are considered safe and effective. 

When is surgery recommended for jowls?

Surgery may be recommended when skin laxity is significant, and injectable treatments alone cannot provide sufficient improvement.

 

Will a jowl lift make my face look unnatural?

A well-performed jowl lift should restore natural facial structure rather than dramatically change your appearance.

Is a Jowl lift painful?

Most patients find treatment very manageable. Non-surgical procedures are performed using local anaesthetic to keep the area comfortable during injections. Surgical treatments are carried out under local anaesthetic or deep sedation, and any post-procedure discomfort is usually mild and temporary.

Can weight loss cause Sagging Jowls or Facial Volume Loss?

Yes. Significant weight loss can reduce facial fat, particularly in the cheeks and mid-face. When this support decreases, the skin may appear more loose and jowls can become more noticeable along the jawline. Treatments that restore facial structure can help improve balance and definition.

Your Expert Team

Dr Rhona Cameron

Medical Director, Women's Health

Dr Rhona Cameron

Dr Rhona Cameron (GMC 6103281), Medical Director of Women’s Health at McKeown Medical and a University of Glasgow-trained GP, is a skilled injector extensively trained in Dr McKeown’s signature intuitive technique. Her treatments blend advanced facial optimisation with powerful, energy-based devices, such as lasers, BBL, and radio frequency, energising the appearance and enhancing skin health.

 

Dr. Darren McKeown

Founder & Medical Director

Dr Darren McKeown

Dr Darren McKeown (GMC 6128508) is renowned for his expertise and artistry with dermal fillers. As a Full Member of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM), the UK’s leading professional body for aesthetic medicine doctors, and a peer-reviewed medical author, he is passionate about treatments that stand up to scientific scrutiny. Above all, he genuinely cares about helping each patient feel their most confident, natural self.

Dr. Russel Bramhall

Consultant Plastic Surgeon

Mr Russell Bramhall

Mr Russell Bramhall (GMC 6120528), MB ChB and FRCS(Plast), is a Specialist Registered Consultant Plastic Surgeon and BAAPS member. Trained in Harley Street alongside leading names in aesthetics, Russell is an indispensable part of our multidisciplinary team, enabling patients to seamlessly transition from minimally invasive procedures to surgical rejuvenation.

 

Some other areas we serve

Patients travel to our Glasgow clinic from across Scotland.

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