As we age, we spend a lot of time wondering how fat ended up in places we didn’t want it—and why it disappeared from the places we did want it. Around the chin and jawline, the skin gets drier, looser and thinner. We lose fat from our faces so we get decreasingly less cherubic as time goes on—we also can lose bone mass in the jaw, making the rest of our features seem more pronounced or sunken. All that to say gravity takes its toll on the best of us, as does losing and gaining weight rapidly, environmental toxins, the genes we are dealt with and making our way out in the world. 

But there are ways to keep your jawline and chin in their best shape for as long as possible—while still looking like the best version of yourself. The gold standard of non-surgical care is Ultherapy (considered Hollywood celebrities’ worst-kept beauty secret), a treatment that uses ultrasound energy on the deep layers of the skin to tighten it and to boost collagen production. There’s no downtime, you can see results within a couple of days and the collagen boost you get lasts about 18 months.  

To optimize your results, we also suggest adding these tools to your kit to get your skin around the neck and jaw in its best shape: 

ZO Skin Health Products: This medical-grade skin care line was founded by Dr. Zein Obagi to give physicians and patients innovative and effective skin health solutions—in the office and at home. The two products we love for the jaw, chin, and neck from this line are the and the ZO Growth Factor Serum. The cleanser contains jojoba for exfoliating dead skin cells as well as encapsulated vitamin E, which is an antioxidant. Together, these power ingredients rid the skin of dirt and excess oil while exfoliating and calming irritated skin. The serum, which contains red ginseng extract, is a lightweight gel for all skin types that strengthens skin, supports rejuvenation and protects against future signs of aging. In fact, research showed that after using the serum for 12 weeks, 93% of patients experienced improvements in fine lines and wrinkles, firmness and elasticity and texture and smoothness. 

Alastin Restorative Neck Complex: We love Alastin for before and after an aesthetic treatment and also for use in a daily skin care routine. In particular, the Restorative Neck Complex is a next-level neck- and décolleté-firming treatment that improves the fine, thin skin below the chin and above the chest, which can become crepey over time. This formulation includes the special TriHex Technology as well as a proprietary blend of peptides and potent antioxidants that supports your skin’s natural ability to create new collagen and elastin. You’ll also see a reduction in photo-aging spots and discoloration. 

Exercises: Specific sets of exercises promise to tighten and firm the neck muscles (though this has not been scientifically confirmed). They include exaggerated yawn movements, smiles, head tilting, and stretching.  

Roller: Jade rollers have been essential elements in Chinese beauty sets for centuries. The idea is to keep the smooth stone roller cold in the freezer or refrigerator, and then use it on your face as a lymphatic massage for several minutes a day to reduce puffiness and tighten skin. Today, they’re also available in rose quartz and other materials. Byrdie.com has a good rundown on how and where to shop for them.  

Fillers: If you feel like you want to add more volume to the frame of your face that goes beyond toning the skin, consider fillers. As we age, our bone density decreases, leaving our chin and jaw seeming like they’re out of proportion with the rest of our face. Fillers can help plump up those areas for 18 months or so. They are sometimes used in combination with Botox, a neurotoxin that eliminates fine lines and wrinkles. 

Chemical peels: Light peels can help stimulate collagen and elastin production, which can help to tighten the skin along the jawline, chin, and neck. You can do the peel à la carte or get one as part of the complete HydraFacial, a three-step process that includes hydradermabrasion, which gently removes dead skin through a water process; a chemical peel that promotes elasticity and firmness while diminishing fine lines and spots; and automated painless extractions through a special vacuum as well as the delivery of antioxidants, hyaluronic acid and peptides.  

We’re happy to help you choose the therapies and products that can give you the very best results for your neck, chin and jawline—and anywhere else. Connect with us for a complimentary consultation, and we’ll get started on helping you become the very best version of you that you can be.