What Are Jaw Fillers?
Jawline dermal fillers are a non-surgical cosmetic procedure that involves the injection of gel-like substances, primarily hyaluronic acid, into the skin to enhance the appearance of the jawline.
The reasoning behind using dermal fillers for jawline enhancement is based on the principles of facial anatomy and the aging process. As we age, there is a natural loss of bone density and soft tissue volume, as well as changes in the skin’s elasticity. These changes can lead to a less defined jawline, sagging skin, and the appearance of jowls.
By injecting fillers into specific areas along the jawline, practitioners can create a more defined and lifted appearance.
Types of Filler Used
Fillers with higher elasticity and viscosity are often preferred for structural enhancement, such as in the jawline, because they provide more lift and support.
The fillers commonly used for this purpose include hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers and collagen-stimulating fillers.
- HA fillers are a popular facial filler due to their natural occurrence in the body and their ability to attract and retain moisture, which provides immediate volume and hydration to the treated area.
- Collagen-stimulating fillers work by inducing the production of collagen in the skin, leading to longer-lasting skin firmness and elasticity.
Of the two, hyaluronic acid fillers are the most commonly used due to their safety profile and reversibility with hyaluronidase if needed.
What Does Jaw Filler Do?
This treatment aims to provide volume, stimulate collagen production, and improve the overall contour of the jawline and chin area. The procedure is minimally invasive, typically taking about 30 minutes, and is performed by experienced aesthetic practitioners.
The primary reasons individuals choose jawline fillers include:
- reducing the effects of age-related volume loss in the lower face,
- creating a more defined and oval-looking jawline,
- reducing the appearance of jowls,
- contouring the jawline for a sharper appearance,
- balancing an asymmetrical jawline,
- strengthening or adding proportion to the chin,
- providing a strong foundation and frame for the face.
Jawline fillers can also address issues such as sagging skin around the jawline, a weak jawline, and jawline unevenness by adding volume where it has been lost, creating a lifting effect, and camouflaging the look of jowls with strategically placed filler
Lifting and Jowls
Can Filler Lift a Jawline?
Dermal fillers can indeed lift and define the jawline. The primary mechanism by which dermal fillers achieve this effect is through volumisation and strategic placement to reshape the contour of the lower face. Injectable fillers can provide a non-surgical approach to enhance the jawline’s appearance by lifting soft tissues and improving facial proportions, which can lead to a more youthful and aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Can Jaw Filler Lift Jowls?
Dermal filler injections can improve the appearance of jowls, which are the sagging skin that forms along the jawline. The primary mechanism by which dermal fillers can mitigate the appearance of jowls is through the restoration of lost volume in the mid-face and cheek areas, as well as the sculpting of the jawline. This volumisation effectively provides a lifting effect that can reduce the sagging of jowls.
The rationale behind this approach is based on the understanding that one of the main factors contributing to the formation of jowls is the loss of facial volume, particularly in the mid-face region. This volume loss, combined with the loosening of the skin and laxity of facial ligaments, leads to the descent of skin from the cheeks, forming nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and jowls.
By restoring volume in the mid-face, dermal filler treatments can provide support to the lower face, which can lead to a reduction in the appearance of jowls.
Effects of Jawline Fillers on Facial Aesthetics
Does Jaw Filler Get Rid of a Double Chin?
Jaw filler is not typically used to eliminate a double chin, which is caused by submental fat beneath the chin area. Injectable fillers are primarily used to define and contour the jawline, rather than reduce fat deposits.
To specifically address a double chin, fat dissolving treatments, which are designed to dissolve or reduce fat cells in the submental area, are more appropriate. Injectable fillers can, however, improve the appearance of the jawline and may create an illusion of a less prominent double chin by enhancing the definition and contour of the jaw.
Does Jaw Filler Make Your Face Look Slimmer?
Jaw filler can create a more defined jawline and, when strategically injected, may give the illusion of a slimmer face. This is because the added volume and jawline contouring can create a sharper angle between the jawline and neck, which can visually slim the lower face.
However, the slimming effect depends on the individual’s facial structure and the technique used by the practitioner.
Does Jaw Filler Make Your Face Wider?
Jaw filler treatment can potentially make the face seem wider if it is injected in a way that increases the width of the jawline. This may be desirable in some cases, such as for individuals seeking a more masculine appearance with a stronger, broader jaw.
However, for those who wish to maintain or enhance a slim and contoured jawline, the practitioner must avoid overfilling the prejowl region to prevent widening the chin. The outcome will depend on the patient’s aesthetic goals, the amount and placement of the filler, and the injector’s technique.
The Jaw Dermal Filler Procedure Explained
This cosmetic treatment involves numbing the area of injection followed by the strategic injection of the filler gel in multiple sites along the mandible. A cannula may be used to help guide the filler in. The treatment is relatively quick, with immediate visible results, and patients can typically return to their normal activities immediately.
Are Jaw Fillers Safe?
Jawline fillers are considered safe and not dangerous when performed by qualified practitioners, but it is important to be aware of potential risks and common side effects.
Some people may experience mild levels of discomfort, and temporary side effects such as swelling, bruising, redness, tenderness, itching, and sensitivity at the point of application may occur. The soreness and discomfort should not be severe and are usually manageable with over-the-counter pain relief if necessary.
Serious complications are rare but can include blood flow blockage (vascular occlusion), asymmetry, scarring, and blood vessel injury. Although these are rare, a good aesthetic treatments practitioner should know how to manage and deal with them effectively.
Does Jaw Filler Hurt?
The sensation of pain during jaw dermal filler treatments is generally considered low. Using fillers that come premixed with lidocaine, a local anesthetic, helps to minimise discomfort during the procedure. It is also common for practitioners to apply a topical numbing cream before the injections to further reduce any potential pain.
Patients may feel an initial prick from the needle, followed by pressure as the filler is injected and massaged into place. The physical manipulation of the filler immediately following injection can be somewhat uncomfortable, but the overall pain level during the actual procedure is typically low, similar to that of a lip filler or chin filler treatment.
How Long Does Jaw Filler Take to Settle?
Jawline dermal fillers typically take about two to four weeks to fully settle into the tissue and reveal the final results. Right after the injection, patients may notice an enhancement in the jawline’s appearance due to the filler’s volume addition and minor swelling from the procedure. However, this initial swelling and any potential bruising can last up to two weeks post-injection.
The settling process involves the filler integrating into the facial tissue, which can vary in duration depending on the type of filler used, the individual’s metabolism, lifestyle factors, and the specific area treated.
Hyaluronic acid fillers, commonly used for jawline enhancement, require some time to bind to water molecules in the skin, contributing to the plumping effect. During this period the filler adjusts with the natural contours of the jawline, leading to a more defined and sculpted appearance.
Patients are advised to be gentle when cleansing their skin over the next couple of days following treatment and to avoid any facial treatments that could disrupt the filler’s placement, such as facials, lasers, waxing, or excessive heat exposure like saunas and steam rooms for two weeks after injection. Exercise should also be avoided for at least 24 hours post-treatment to ensure optimal settling of the filler.
How Long Does Jaw Filler Last?
The longevity of the results from dermal fillers in the jawline can vary, typically lasting between 9 to 12 months, depending on the type of filler used, the amount administered, the individual’s metabolism, and lifestyle factors such as your amount of physical activity. Maintenance treatments are often necessary to sustain the desired effect.
How Much Filler Is Required for a Jawline to Make a Difference?
The amount of dermal filler required for a jawline treatment can vary significantly based on several factors, including the initial anatomical structure of the jawline, the desired outcome, the patient’s age, and the filler used.
The typical volume of dermal filler required for jawline treatments ranges from 2 to 5 millilitres (ml). This volume is often distributed across the jawline to achieve a balanced and symmetrical enhancement. The reasoning behind this volume range is to make sure both sides of the jawline are adequately augmented, providing a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing result.
In reality, the initial anatomical structure of the patient’s jawline and the desired outcome significantly influence the volume of filler required. Patients seeking a subtle enhancement may require less filler compared to those aiming for a dramatic transformation.
Additionally, age-related volume loss and skin laxity can affect the amount of filler needed to achieve the desired results. Younger patients with minimal volume loss might need less filler, while older patients may require more volume to compensate for the loss of bone density and soft tissue.
Should I Massage My Jaw Filler After Treatment?
The primary goal of post-treatment massage is to ensure even distribution of the filler, prevent the formation of lumps, and integrate the filler smoothly with the surrounding tissues. However, the massaging should only be performed by your aesthetics practitioner because if massaging is required, it will be required for a particular goal in mind, plus the person performing the massaging needs to have a good understanding of facial anatomy and injection depth to do it effectively.
Can Jawline Filler Migrate?
Dermal filler migration refers to the unintended movement of filler material from its original injection site to adjacent areas. This phenomenon can occur with jawline dermal fillers, as well as fillers injected into other parts of the face. The migration of dermal fillers is influenced by several factors, including the injection technique, the depth of injection, and individual patient factors such as skin structure and muscle activity.
Injection Technique and Filler Type
The technique used to inject the filler plays an important role in preventing migration. Incorrect injection techniques, such as improper depth or location, can increase the likelihood of filler migration. Additionally, the choice of filler is significant; different fillers have varying viscosities and cohesiveness, which affect their propensity to migrate. More cohesive fillers are generally less likely to spread from the injection site.
Skin Structure and Anatomy
The individual’s skin structure and anatomy can also contribute to dermal filler migration. Areas with thinner skin or more dynamic muscle activity, such as the lips and perioral area, are more prone to migration due to the constant movement. The jawline, while less dynamic than the lips, can still experience filler migration if the filler is placed superficially or in incorrect layers, as there are no ligaments in the jawline region to hold the filler in place.
Preventing Filler Migration
To reduce the risk of filler migration, it is essential to choose an experienced injector who understands the facial anatomy deeply and uses proper injection techniques. Using the appropriate filler for the specific area and injecting at the correct depth are critical factors. Post-treatment care, such as avoiding excessive manipulation of the treated area, can also help prevent migration.
Treatment of Filler Migration
If migration occurs, it can often be addressed by massaging the area to redistribute the filler or by using hyaluronidase to dissolve hyaluronic acid-based fillers. Sometimes with non-dissolvable fillers, surgical intervention may be necessary, although this is rare.
Does Jaw Filler Change Your Smile?
Jawline filler treatments, when administered correctly, rarely affect your smile. The treatment focuses on the outer jawline, not the muscles that control your smile. However, it is important to understand the intricate relationship between facial anatomy and injectable fillers to appreciate the nuanced effects that jawline fillers may have on facial expressions, including smiling.
Dermal fillers injected into the jawline are generally placed along the mandible, away from these muscles. Therefore, they should not impede the muscle action required for smiling. However, the presence of fillers can mechanically change muscle movement by either facilitating their action via a lever or pulley effect or decreasing contraction by blocking their movement.
A good practitioner will first aim to get an in-depth understanding of your unique facial anatomy before moving forward with the treatment. This will ensure the dermal filler is placed precisely in the masseter region or along the angle and body of the mandible to get the results you’re after without affecting your smile.
