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For many people, jowls are jowls – loose skin that grows on the lower cheeks and jawline. – are one of the first unexpected signs of aging.
Dr. Shereene Idriss, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Idriss Dermatology in New York City, spoke with Fox News Digital about best practices for managing “drag”.
To understand why jowls form and how to treat them, Idriss suggests seeing the face as a piece of furniture.
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“I like to explain facial aging using the analogy of a sofa: Bones are the frame, fat and muscles are the cushions, skin is the fabric,” she said.
If one sees the early stages of “jowling,” it is rarely a skin (“cloth”) problem. Instead, it’s often a combination of loss of structural support and the flexibility of fat that’s decreased by gravity, according to Idriss.
The key to success is a multi-layered strategy rather than a “miracle” fix, says an expert. (Stock)
As the “bed” frame changes and the cushions compress, the fabric has no choice but to “naturally start to pull in a different way,” he said.
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However, it is never too late for non-invasive treatment, according to the doctor.
The key to success is a multi-layered strategy rather than a “miracle” fix, he said.
“It often feels like it happens overnight, but it’s actually the accumulation of years of collagen loss and muscle movement.”
Although the market is flooded with jawline sculpting gadgets, Idriss urges patients to manage their expectations when trying them.
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Facial rollers and massage may move lymphatic fluid to temporarily reduce puffiness, but won’t eliminate the actual swelling, she said.
Idriss advises against buccal liposuction, a popular cosmetic surgery procedure that involves removing natural fat pads from the cheeks to create a plump, curvy appearance.
“Jowling” is rarely a skin issue. Instead, it’s usually a combination of loss of structural support and the flexibility of the fat going down and gravity. (Stock)
For many people, getting rid of that fat can actually “speed it up.” [the formation of] jowls and wears you out quickly,” he warned, noting that the goal should be to preserve the “cushions” on the face, not discard them.
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Surgical options such as a facelift have limitations because, according to Idriss, “a facelift repositions tissue and tightens the skin, but it does not reconstruct the deep structural changes that occur with aging.”
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Some patients may experience a change in their thinking almost overnight, notes Idriss, pointing out that there are certain “aging peaks,” including a scientifically documented change in the mid-40s.
“That time often feels like it happened overnight, but it’s actually the accumulation of years of collagen loss and muscle movement,” says the doctor.
Although the market is full of jawline sculpting gadgets, the doctor urges patients to manage their expectations when trying them. (Stock)
For people in their 20s or 30s, the focus should be on “saving the couch before the cushions start to sink.”
This involves protecting collagen by regularly applying sunscreen, using retinoids (a compound found in vitamin A that can help improve skin cell turnover and stimulate collagen production), and controlling inflammation, according to Idriss.
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However, he noted, jowls are not the result of skin care failure. “It’s your bone structure,” Idriss said.
The aim, according to experts, is to deal with the cause of the “drape” instead of chasing a passing trend. “Less is often more – overdoing it can create unnatural results.”
