Best Dermatologist for Jawline Injections in San Francisco

What to Expect

Several changes occur in the jawline as a result of the natural aging process. These changes impact the appearance of the jaw line, its structure and overall youthfulness. These changes are primarily due to age-related changes in the soft tissues (skin, muscle, fat), bone and teeth, all of which provide structure and volume to the jaw line. Gradual loss of collagen and elastin in the skin leads to a loss of firmness, tightness, and elasticity in the jaw line, resulting in sagging or jowling of the jawline.

Age-related redistribution of fat pads under the skin in the face and around the jaw, as well as loss of muscle tone in the masseter muscles around the jawline, further contribute to changes in the lower facial contours, often with a more rounded jawline. Gradual loss of bone density in the jaw, a process known as bone resorption, leads to a less defined and less-prominent jawline. Normal wear and tear, or loss of teeth that can occur with aging, also affects the position and density of the jawbone, resulting in loss of jawline definition over time.

There are several invasive and non-invasive cosmetic surgery options to enhance the shape, definition and projection of the jawline. Injectable treatments using facial fillers are much less invasive cosmetic procedures for facial rejuvenation and jawline augmentation, compared to other plastic surgery techniques for jaw enhancement such as jawbone implants and liposuction of the jawline. Jawline augmentation with injectable dermal fillers offers a non-invasive, safe alternative to these invasive surgery techniques, with additional advantages of being quick, conveniently performed in the office of a dermatologist, with minimal pain or discomfort, and minimal downtime or recovery period.

In this procedure, a topical numbing cream is applied to the skin for patient comfort. The potential injection sites are then cleansed using an antibacterial solution.. An injectable filler, usually pre-mixed with lidocaine anesthetic, is then injected under the skin using a fine needle or a blunt-tipped cannula. The injected product is sculpted along the jawline to provide more definition to this area. The amount of filler required to produce best results is variable, and is determined by your doctor, who ideally should be dermatologist or plastic surgeon as these are the best skilled practitioners for all cosmetic procedures. Results are immediate, such that there is visible instant improvement in definition and contour of the treatment areas along the jawline right after the procedure. The results can last for several months, and with periodic touch-up treatments, you can maintain your desired jawline enhancement long-term without the need for invasive surgery.

After the procedure, you may experience side effects of mild swelling, redness, or bruising, which are temporary, improve with ice applied to the treated areas, and typically resolve over the course of a few days. In almost all cases however, you can generally resume your regular activities soon after the procedure. You will be provided with post-treatment instructions to help optimize healing and results.