Jowls Treatment in Atlanta, GALifting Sagging Jawlines Without Surgery

A firmer, more defined jawline with non-surgical care and no long recovery.

Common In:
Adults from their late 30s onward, in every skin tone and gender
Primary Causes:
Volume loss, skin and ligament laxity, jawbone changes and genetics
Treatment Time:
About 20 minutes per EMFACE session; filler visits 30 to 60 minutes
Results:
Fillers lift right away; EMFACE results build over about 3 months
Adult woman with a firm, defined jawline in profile after non-surgical jowls treatment in Atlanta, GA
Side profile of an adult patient showing early jowls along the lower jawline at SOCAH Center in Atlanta, Georgia

What Are Jowls?

Recognizing the Signs

Jowls are the soft folds of skin and fat that sag below the jawline on either side of the chin. They form when the tissues of the lower face lose volume, firmness and support, so skin that once sat high over the cheeks and jaw drifts downward. The result is a softer, less defined jawline and a scalloped edge instead of a smooth line from ear to chin.

Jowls develop in every skin tone and every gender. Deeper skin tones often have a thicker dermis that holds firmness longer, so jowls may appear later, but volume and bone changes still occur with age. In men, a beard can hide early jowling until a fresh shave reveals the change. Many people first notice jowls in photos taken from the side or on a video call.

The good news is that mild to moderate jowls can often be lifted without surgery. Our overview of the conditions we treat covers related lower-face and neck concerns.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Nikki D. Hill, MD, FAAD. Last updated: October 2026.

Why Jowls Develop

Understanding the Root Causes

01The Science

A defined jawline depends on four layers working together: skin, fat, the ligaments that anchor them, and the bone underneath. Collagen production falls by roughly 1% a year from the mid-20s, and elastin weakens, so skin stretches more easily. Fat pads in the mid-face shrink and slide down, adding weight to the lower face. MedlinePlus, from the National Library of Medicine, describes how skin thins and loses elasticity with age.

At the jaw, a small ligament holds skin firmly near the chin. Tissue above and behind it sags while the anchored point stays put, which creates the jowl bulge and the shallow dip in front of it. The jawbone itself also loses height and projection over time, leaving less structure for skin to drape over.

Because jowls involve both laxity and volume loss, care usually addresses both. EMFACE skin tightening for the lower face firms skin and supporting muscle without needles, while jawline and chin dermal fillers restore the structure that keeps skin lifted.

02Diagnosis at SOCAH

How We Evaluate Jowls

Laxity, Volume or Both

Your visit begins with an exam seated upright, from the front and in profile, since jowls are easiest to judge at the angle others see them. We gently assess skin thickness and laxity, look for volume loss in the cheeks and chin, and check how the jawline, chin and neck relate to each other. Dr. Hill also separates jowls from neighboring concerns: fullness under the chin points to submental fat and double chin care, while loose skin and bands on the neck point to turkey neck and neck laxity treatment.

Mild to moderate jowls respond well to non-surgical treatment. When texture and crepey skin along the jaw are part of the picture, radiofrequency microneedling for skin firmness can be added. If laxity is advanced, we explain honestly that a surgical consultation may give the result you want.

Jowls treatment is cosmetic and self-pay. Cost depends on the treatments chosen, the amount of filler and the number of sessions, and exact pricing is discussed at your consultation. CareCredit and Cherry payment plans can spread the cost over time.

What Speeds Up Jowls?

Age and genetics set the pace, but these factors can bring jowls on sooner.

  1. 01Sun ExposureUV light breaks down collagen and elastin, so skin along the jaw stretches and loosens sooner.
  2. 02Weight ChangesSignificant weight loss removes facial volume, while repeated gain and loss stretches the skin.
  3. 03GeneticsFamily traits influence skin thickness, jaw shape and fat distribution, so jowls often run in families.
  4. 04SmokingTobacco reduces blood flow and damages collagen, speeding sagging in the lower face.
  5. 05Hormonal ShiftsFalling estrogen around menopause speeds collagen loss, and jowls often become noticeable in that window.
  6. 06Posture and Screen TimeLooking down at phones for hours folds the lower face and neck, which can deepen creases along the jaw.
Modern treatment room at SOCAH Center in Atlanta, Georgia, where jowls patients receive skin tightening and fillers

Why Choose SOCAH Center for Jowls Care in Atlanta, GA

Every jowls plan is designed under Dr. Nikki D. Hill, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist who pairs skin tightening with physician-injected fillers for patients from Atlanta, Tucker, Stone Mountain and North Decatur.

Two-Part Approach
Plans address both loose skin and lost structure, which is why results look lifted rather than filled.
Physician-Injected Fillers
Jawline and chin filler is placed within a dermatology practice that knows facial anatomy in depth.
Every Skin Tone
Treatments are chosen and set to suit every skin tone, with attention to scarring and pigment risk.
Honest Guidance
If jowls are beyond what non-surgical care can lift, we tell you plainly and help you plan next steps.
Comparison chart of EMFACE skin tightening and dermal fillers for jowls treatment at SOCAH Center in Atlanta, GA

Jowls Treatment Options Compared

Skin tightening and fillers address different causes of jowls, so many patients combine the two.

TreatmentBest ForHow It WorksResults TimelineMaintenance
Skin Tightening with EMFACEMild to moderate skin laxity along the jaw and lower faceSynchronized radiofrequency and muscle stimulation firm skin and supporting muscle without needlesGradual lift that builds over about 3 months after a seriesTypically 4 sessions, then periodic maintenance
Dermal FillersVolume loss in the cheeks, chin and pre-jowl areaHyaluronic acid gel restores structure so skin drapes more smoothlyVisible right after treatment, settling over 2 weeksTouch-ups about every 9 to 18 months

Signs You May Be Developing Jowls

These signs suggest your lower face is losing support. The FDA overview of dermal fillers explains how approved fillers restore lost volume.

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  • Softer Jawline

    The sharp line from your ear to your chin looks blurred or scalloped, especially in side-view photos.

  • Fullness Beside the Chin

    Small pouches of skin hang below the jaw on either side of your chin when you look straight ahead.

  • Visible on Video Calls

    Looking down at a laptop or phone camera makes your lower face look heavier than it feels.

  • Lift Test

    Gently pulling the skin at your cheekbones up and back makes your jawline look years more defined.

  • Flatter Cheeks

    Your mid-face looks less full than it once did, and the lines from nose to mouth have deepened.

  • Shaving Reveals Changes

    After shaving a beard, you notice a less defined jaw than you remember.

Related Treatment

Skin Tightening with EMFACE

Lift, firm and tone the face and jawline with no needles, no toxins and no downtime.

  1. Skin and Muscle
  2. No Needles
  3. No Downtime
Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get rid of jowls without surgery?
Mild to moderate jowls can often be lifted without surgery by combining skin tightening with dermal fillers. EMFACE firms loose skin and the muscles that support it, while filler along the jaw, chin and cheeks restores structure. Advanced laxity may still need a surgical lift, and we will tell you honestly if that is the case.
Is EMFACE or filler better for jowls?
Neither is better on its own, because they treat different causes of jowls. EMFACE is best for loose skin and weakened muscle tone, while dermal fillers replace lost volume in the cheeks, chin and pre-jowl area. Most patients see the most natural lift when the two are combined in one plan.
How long do jowls treatment results last?
Results typically last many months to more than a year. Hyaluronic acid fillers along the jaw and chin often last 9 to 18 months, and EMFACE results usually hold for months with periodic maintenance sessions. Natural aging continues, so touch-ups keep the jawline defined. Individual results vary.
Does jowls treatment hurt?
Most patients find jowls treatment comfortable. EMFACE feels like warmth and muscle tapping and needs no numbing or downtime. Most dermal fillers contain lidocaine, a numbing medicine, and ice or topical numbing can be used, so many people describe only brief pressure. Mild swelling or bruising after filler usually fades within a week.
Are jowls treatments safe for every skin tone?
Yes, EMFACE and hyaluronic acid fillers are generally well suited to every skin tone because they do not remove or wound the skin surface. In skin of color, any bruising or irritation can occasionally leave temporary dark marks, so we use careful technique and give aftercare guidance to lower that risk.
How much does jowls treatment cost?
The cost of jowls treatment depends on whether you choose EMFACE, filler or both, how many sessions you need and how much filler is used. Because treatment is cosmetic and self-pay, exact pricing is discussed at your consultation. CareCredit and Cherry financing can spread payments over time.
Location2296 Henderson Mill Rd, Suite 300Atlanta, GA, 30345
Emailinfo@socahcenter.com
Phone(404) 474-2301

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Scientific References

  1. Kwan et al., Cutis. (2020). Skin tightening. PMID: 33104122.
  2. Woolery-Lloyd et al., Curr Probl Dermatol. (2011). Skin tightening. PMID: 21865807.
  3. Greene et al., Facial Plast Surg. (2014). Skin tightening technologies. PMID: 24488639.
  4. Sadick et al., Dermatol Surg. (2014). Bipolar and multipolar radiofrequency. PMID: 25417571.
  5. Krueger et al., Cutis. (2013). New-generation radiofrequency technology. PMID: 23461058.