Will Jaw Angle Implants Pick Up Loose Jawline/Neck Skin?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I want t know how to improve my disappearing jawline. Beginning about five years ago, the lack of definition in my jawline started to become progressively worse. Attached you will find some pictures that show a couple of different views that are fairly current as well as one from about 5 years ago to show how the lack of definition is getting progressively more noticeable as I age although I have never had that squared jaw that I like. I am in my late 40s now. While I know I will need to address the skin sagging on my lower face, jowls developing and neck laxity at some point, I am not ready for the scars associated with a face/neck lift.  My hope was that by giving my back jaw more definition with angular implants, it would pull some of the loose skin simply by the sheer nature of adding some bulk but more importantly give me some definition so that it doesn’t look like my face just blends into my neck.

A: I believe you are correct on both counts. First, you are definitely not physically (or mentally) ready for any form of a jowl/necklift. That would definitely be too premature at this point in your early aging process. That day will arrive but you are at least 5 to 7 years from the benefits of that facial rejuvenation surgery. Secondly jaw angle implants, particularly vertical lengthening ones, will pick up some of the loose skin in the back end of the jaw and create more of a break between the jawline and the neck and give you more of that squared jaw look that you like.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana