A dermatologist explains why jowls form and what actually helps

Dr. Sherine Idris, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Idris Dermatology in New York City, spoke to Fox News Digital about best practices for managing “drag.”

To understand why jowls form and how to treat them, Idris suggests visualizing the face as a piece of furniture.

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“I like to explain facial aging using the couch analogy: Bones are the frame, fat and muscle are the cushions, and skin is the fabric,” she said.

When a person notices the early stages of “jowls,” it is rarely just a skin (“cloth”) problem. Instead, it’s usually a combination of loss of structural support and fat shifting downward with gravity, according to Idris.

The expert said that the key to success is a multi-layered strategy and not a “miracle” solution. (Istock)

As the sofa’s frame changes and the cushions compress, the fabric has no choice but to “naturally start to drape differently,” she said.

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However, it is never too late for non-surgical treatments, according to the doctor.

The key to success, she said, is a multi-layered strategy and not a “miracle” solution.

“It often seems like it happened overnight, but it’s actually an accumulation of years of collagen loss and tissue movement.”

While the market is saturated with jaw sculpting devices, Idris urges patients to manage their expectations when trying these devices.

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Facial rollers and massages may move lymphatic fluid to temporarily reduce puffiness, but they can’t eliminate true jowls, she said.

Idris advises against buccal fat removal, a common cosmetic surgical procedure that involves removing natural fat pads in the cheeks to create a more hollow, contoured appearance.

“Jowling” is rarely just a skin problem. Instead, it is usually a combination of loss of structural support and fat shifting downward with gravity. (Istock)

She warned that removing this fat could actually lead to “accelerated (shaping) of the jaws and faster aging of the skin,” noting that the goal should be to preserve the “pillows” of the face, not get rid of them.

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Surgical options like facelifts have limitations because, according to Idris, “a facelift repositions tissue and tightens the skin, but it does not reconstruct the deeper structural changes that occur with aging.”

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Some patients may feel their reflections change almost overnight, Idris noted, noting that there are definite “aging peaks,” including a scientifically documented shift in the mid-40s.

“That moment often feels like it happened overnight, but is actually the buildup of years of collagen loss and tissue movement,” the doctor said.

While the market is saturated with jaw sculpting tools, the doctor urges patients to control their expectations when trying them out. (Istock)

For individuals in their 20s or 30s, the focus should be on “preserving the sofa before the cushions start sinking in.”

This includes protecting collagen by consistently applying sunscreen, using retinoids (compounds derived from vitamin A that can help improve skin cell turnover and stimulate collagen production), and managing inflammation, according to Idris.

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However, she points out that jowls are not the result of skin care failure. “It’s literally your bone structure,” Idris said.

The goal, according to the expert, is to address the root cause of the “drape” rather than chase a passing trend. “Less is usually more – overtreatment can lead to unnatural results.”