As you get older, you may notice the defining features of your face changing. For example, a jawline that once looked sharply defined starts to soften, the skin beneath the chin becomes looser, or small jowls begin to appear where there were none before.
Fortunately, there are many effective treatments which can help to preserve facial definition. Still, since no two faces are alike, each face requires a unique approach to treatment. For some people, loose skin is the main concern. For others, excess fat around the chin may be contributing to a less defined jawline. Some may also want to improve wrinkles, skin texture and firmness at the same time.
EC Aesthetic Clinic in London offers a range of non-surgical and minimally invasive treatments to address these different concerns. These include Ultherapy Prime, InMode Contoura, Thermage FLX, Fotona 4D Pro, Soft Thread Lift and Onda Pro. Let’s look at each of them in turn:
Ultherapy Prime
Ultherapy Prime is designed to target the deeper layers of the skin. It is a non-invasive ultrasound treatment used to lift and tighten the skin of the face, neck and décolletage. Unlike laser and radiofrequency technologies, it uses focused ultrasound energy to target specific depths beneath the skin.
One of its distinguishing features is its ultrasound imaging system, which allows practitioners to see tissue layers beneath the skin before delivering the energy. This helps them identify the appropriate treatment depths.
The treatment works by creating precise areas of thermal stimulation. This triggers the body’s natural healing response and encourages the production of new collagen and elastin.
Over time, this can help tighten and lift loose skin. It is particularly effective for improving jawline definition and reducing the appearance of jowls. Results develop gradually as new collagen forms, with further improvement occurring over several months.
InMode Contoura
Sometimes an undefined jawline is not caused by loose skin alone. A double chin or excess fat beneath the chin can also obscure the natural contours of the lower face.
This is where InMode Contoura can offer a different approach. The treatment uses radiofrequency technology and is designed to address both stubborn fat and skin laxity. It can remove stubborn fat while simultaneously firming and tightening the skin and stimulating collagen production. This combination makes InMode Contoura particularly relevant when facial definition has been affected by a combination of localised fat and loose skin.
The treatment is particularly effective for addressing a double chin, the lower face and jawline, and jowling.
Thermage FLX
Thermage FLX is a non-surgical treatment for ageing skin, including loose, crepey and rough skin, and takes another approach to skin tightening. It uses radiofrequency energy to heat deeper layers of the skin, stimulating collagen production and helping remodel collagen and elastin fibres.
For facial definition, Thermage FLX can help improve the appearance of the jawline, double chin and lower facial sagging. It can also address fine lines and wrinkles, making it an option for people who want tightening alongside broader facial rejuvenation.
It has little to no downtime.
Fotona 4D Pro
For people who want to address several signs of ageing at once, Fotona 4D Pro offers a multi-step approach.
The treatment combines two laser wavelengths and works across different layers of the skin. It can tighten loose skin, smooth nasolabial lines, contour the jawline and improve skin tone and texture.
One of its four treatment stages, SmoothLiftin, works from inside the mouth to target tissue close to the SMAS layer and stimulate collagen production. Another stage, Piano, is designed to heat deeper tissues and address fat around areas such as the jawline and double chin, while tightening the skin.
This makes Fotona 4D Pro particularly interesting when facial definition is being affected by several factors, such as loose skin, localised fat and declining skin quality.
Soft Thread Lift
While the treatments above are non-invasive, a Soft Thread Lift is a minimally invasive option for people with more noticeable sagging.
The procedure uses absorbable polydioxanone (PDO) threads inserted into the deeper layers of the skin. The threads provide an immediate lifting effect and also stimulate collagen production over time.
The treatment can be used to address several lower-face concerns, including jowling, an undefined jawline, a double chin and a V-line. The threads can also be used to address sagging in the neck and other areas of the face.
Because this treatment involves needles and local anaesthetic, it sits between completely non-invasive technologies and surgical procedures. It may therefore be considered when a more pronounced lifting effect is desired without undergoing a facelift.
Onda Pro
Another option when excess fat is contributing to an undefined lower face is Onda Pro.
Onda Pro uses microwave energy to target the subcutaneous fat layer. It is designed specifically for smaller areas such as the jawline and chin, where it can reduce localised fat while stimulating tissue tightening.
The treatment combines fat reduction with collagen stimulation, making it relevant for people concerned about both submental fullness and loose skin. Facial contouring, jawline definition and refinement of the submental area are among its applications.
Which Skin Tightening Treatment Is Best?
The best treatment for you ultimately depends on what is preventing your face from looking defined. If loose skin and jowling are the main concerns, treatments such as Ultherapy Prime or Thermage FLX may be considered for their skin-tightening effects.
If excess fat beneath the chin is contributing to a less defined jawline, InMode Contoura or Onda Pro may be more appropriate. If the aim is to address skin tightening alongside wrinkles, texture and contouring, Fotona 4D Pro offers a broader facial rejuvenation approach.
Then, where there is more significant sagging and a greater lifting effect is required, a Soft Thread Lift provides a minimally invasive alternative. It’s important to remember that facial definition is not determined by one factor. Skin, fat and underlying tissues all contribute to the shape of the lower face.
A consultation with an experienced practitioner can therefore help determine which treatment, or combination of treatments, is most appropriate for your facial anatomy and goals.
